Caldwell Co. has rich ag history
Oil Patch Museum, Luling Foundation offer insights

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Displays at the Central Texas Oil Patch Museum help portray the county's rich history in oil production. The discovery of oil in the county in 1922 created a population boom, and the county's first wildcatter, Edgar B. Davis, created the agri-educational Luling Foundation. -- Staff photo by Taylor

Sept. 16, 2004 - When Luling was first settled in the 1840s, most of its citizens were either farmers or ranchers. According to literature offered in a museum in town, the name "Luling" came from either the name of an early Chinese worker; the name of an early judge in the area; or, finally, from the maiden name of a man who built the railroad! No one seems to know for sure.

After the quiet little town had continued with an agriculture base for over 30 years, the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway laid tracks in 1874, and the area became a gathering place for people looking for a good time and something to do. By around 1885, the primary shipments from Luling included cotton, cottonseed oil, livestock and pecans.

In 1889, a second rail system, the San Antonio and Aransas Pass decided to come through the little town to help connect other Texas cities and move agricultural products and passengers.

While the town was considered a success ... with the railroads and agriculture base ... the biggest boom was yet to come. In 1922, Edgar B. Davis discovered oil in the area with the drilling of the first well, Rios #1. After that discovery, the town was transformed from a small town of between 500 and 1,500 (according to who you ask), to an oil town with a population between 5,000 and 10,000, give or take an oil driller or two.

Literature from the Central Texas Oil Patch Museum states "... it was a time when a community of farmers and their families responded to the coming of the railroad, only to have their lives changed, forever, by the discovery of oil."

By January 2001, the Luling oil fields had produced 156,588,000 barrels of oil. Even with the downward fall of the oil business in recent years, the oil still plays a large part in the prosperous community. Many of the agricultural producers not only continued to farm and ranch, they now have oil on their property.

Davis, although noted for his "risky vocation as an oil wildcatter," founded the educational Luling Foundation, which offers "hands on" experience for 4-H and FFA youth. Today, the Foundation offers farm experiments and knowledge for ranchers and farmers from all around the area. The main farm at the Luling Foundation has 1,123 acres and, also, operates a commercial cattle demonstration in Guadalupe County, as well as a small farm in San Patricio County.

Along with the oil and agricultural incomes, farmers turned to planting tomatoes and watermelons, and truck farming became a large industry in the Luling area. This led to the first "Watermelon Thump" festival in 1953, and continues each year, on the last full weekend in June. It's grown into a large festival, including farmers competing to grow the largest watermelon and see who can spit the watermelon seeds the longest distance!

Today, you will find a number of farmers' markets in Luling, offering everything from eggs to trees. One of these markets was started by Guadalupe S. Natal and his son, Pete, over 40 years ago. Before starting the market, Pete had hauled hay and worked in the cotton fields. His sons, Jesse "J.P" and "A.J." now operate the market, with help from other family members. Pete died in January 2004, after 40 years in the business and being married to his wife, Mary Ann, for 67 years and fathering 10 children.

Son J.P. said they carry around 20 different, local products, including watermelons (usually the Black Diamond variety), tomatoes, plums, onions, and cantaloupes, during the spring and summer. In the fall, products change a bit to include pecans, grapefruit, oranges, lemons and limes.

Starting on Sept. 17, the Natals are expecting 100,000 pounds of pumpkins to be delivered for the fall season and Halloween carvings. They are expected to weigh between one and 150 pounds ... the "Big Mac," said J.P.

By the holiday season, Christmas fur trees are shipped in from Oregon, and as the winter progresses, the Natals offer landscaping talents to individuals and/or companies in the area. They, also, operate two other locations outside of San Marcos, including a 100,000-tree farm which offers native Texas trees.

If you're passing through downtown Luling and decide to stop to see the products offered by Pete Natal's Produce and Landscaping, you might want to keep your camera handy; J.P. said he has Nolan Ryan, George Foreman, Earl Campbell and Gonzales Barrientoes as customers!