Why Here? Why Then?

The arrival of the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railroad in 1874 led to the sudden appearance of Luling, Texas, which quickly grew to 800 - 1000 residents. Demand for cornmeal prompted John and Jim Meriwether and Leonidas Hardiman to build a grist mill on the banks of the San Marcos River, whose water power determined the mill’s location, and a cotton gin followed soon after to take advantage of the new link to markets. The train station became a busy center where passengers came and went, merchants’ goods and supplies were unloaded, and cotton, corn, cattle, and other freight were shipped to market, while businesses sprang up to serve the influx of settlers, including the Walker brothers’ store, moved from Prairie Lea in 1874 and still standing in downtown Luling. The Port of Houston linked the mill to eastern markets, including textile mills in Europe. Before 1870 there was no town here, with the nearest community along Plum Creek three miles to the east; in 1874 a cotton gin, grist mill, and saw mill were built; in 1884 Fritz Zedler and partners took over the mill; in 1888 Fritz bought out his partners, a fire destroyed the mill, and it was rebuilt in seven weeks; in 1890 the mill began supplying water to Luling; and in 1894 it shifted to electricity and began supplying power to the town.

Luling, Texas · United States