Luling

Town on the San Marcos River, situated in Caldwell County, central Texas, 45 mi/72 km from Austin; population (2000 est) 5,100. Luling developed as a cattle raising centre and transhipment point and later became an agricultural centre focused on cotton and maize, the oil industry is also important to the economy.

Luling was established in 1874 on the Sunset Branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1922 Edgar Davis established a successful oil well and Luling boomed, its population increased ten times very rapidly with makeshift accommodation provided in an area known as Rag Town.

The oil industry is commemorated in the Central Texas Oil Patch Museum. The Luling Watermelon Thump, a festival focused around the watermelon and which includes the World Watermelon Seed Spitting Championship, is held annually in June. Luling has one entry on the National Register of Historic Places, a bridge. The Luling Foundation was established in 1927 to promote agricultural diversity. Palmetto State Park is 6 mi/10 km southeast of Luling.