Lufkin, Texas


Lufkin is a city in Angelina County, Texas, and is the county seat and largest city of Angelina County. The city is situated in Deep East Texas, and is northeast of Houston. The estimated population is 35,021 as of July 1, 2019.
Lufkin was founded in 1884 and named for Abraham P. Lufkin. It originally served as a stop on the Houston, East and West Texas Railway. It was officially incorporated on October 15, 1890. Lufkin continued to serve as a stop on the railroad until the 1890. 3 businessmen founded Angelina Lumber Company which led to much of the economic prosperity Lufkin would see later in history. When the so-called "timber boom" came to an end a new "golden era of expansion" began. This era saw Lufkin becoming more industrialized with the opening of Lufkin Industries and Southland Paper Mill. In the mid 1960s, a cultural expansion began and improvements were made to education and the way of life. This included museums and the opening of a new library.

History

The city was originally founded in 1882 as a stop on the Houston, East and West Texas Railway, the city is named for Abraham P. Lufkin, a cotton merchant and Galveston city councilman. Lufkin was the father-in-law of Paul Bremond, president of the Houston, East and West Texas Railway which developed the town. Lufkin continued to grow because of its proximity to the railroad and its lumber industry. The history of Lufkin can be divided into 3 main eras the railroad era, the timber boom, and the golden era of expansion.

Railroad era

The railroad era lasted between 1882 and 1890. In 1881, the area that is now Lufkin was little more than a small settlement known as Denman Springs. However, a railroad surveying team began to plan a route through Angelina County, Texas. They began to survey a possible route through Homer, Texas which at the time was the county seat of Angelina County. According to legend, the men in the surveying team began to get rowdy in the saloon in Homer which led to their arrest. They paid their way out the next morning. However, this infuriated the chief surveyor. He ordered the team for the rail line to bypass Homer and go by Denman Springs. Conveniently, the new route went through the property of Lafayette Denman and his son, Dr. A. M. Denman who as the legend goes had hosted the surveying team a few days earlier. This legend is most likely not true since the prospectus in 1879 already had the railroad planned to bypass Homer and go through the future site of Lufkin.
The railroad officially arrived in 1882 and the company began to advertise the sale of lots of land in Lufkin. During this time many of the businesses and professionals from Homer began to relocate to Lufkin in order to be closer to the railroad. Some of the first stores in Lufkin included S. Abram's general store, Joseph Kerr's grocery and saddle shop, and W. H. Bonner's general store. These stores were all located on Cotton Square, which became the center of most economic activity in Lufkin. Behind the depot, which was on the cotton square, cotton was stored before being shipped on the railroad. The town continued to grow and acquired a post office in 1882 with the postmaster being William A. Abney. Soon after in 1883, a telegraph line was strung connecting Lufkin to Nacogdoches, Texas by telegraph. On October 15, 1890, the town was officially incorporated. The first mayor of Lufkin was J. M. Smith, who was the owner of Smith Hotel, he was elected on November 15, 1890. Even before the incorporation of Lufkin, the courthouse was sought to have been moved. However, by a vote in 1885, the courthouse remained in Homer. In November 1891 a mysterious fire destroyed the courthouse in Homer. This prompted a petition from the citizens of Lufkin asking for a new election to he held to decide if the courthouse should be relocated to Lufkin. the election was held on January 2, 1892, and the citizens decided to relocate the courthouse to Lufkin.

Timber boom

The timber boom lasted between 1890 and 1920. There are 3 main lumbering families that are recognized for much of the economic prosperity in Lufkin: the Kurths, the Hendersons, and the Wieners. Joseph H. Kurth, Sr., was a German immigrant, Kurth had operated a sawmill in Polk County, Texas before. He moved to a small settlement north of Lufkin known as Keltys. In 1887, Kurth obtained a sawmill from Charles L. Kelty, he was soon joined by S. W. Henderson, Sr., and Sam Wiener, both of Corrigan, Texas. In 1890, the 3 men started the Angelina County Lumber Company. The company became the forerunner of the lumber industry in East Texas, and led to much of the economic prosperity in Lufkin. At the peak of the three families' activity, there were nearly a dozen sawmills and several other industries.

Golden era of expansion

The golden era of expansion occurred between 1938 and 1945. In the late 1930s two of the principal industries in Lufkin: the Southland Paper Mill, later known as Abitibi Bowater Inc. which closed in 2007, and Texas Foundries opened. These companies provided much of Lufkin's industrial growth. The largest industrial employer was Lufkin Foundry and Machine Company, later known as Lufkin Industries and ceased operations in 2018.

Cultural expansion

In early Lufkin history, most daily life revolved around churches, schools, and sports activities. However, this began to change between 1965 and 1983 when Lufkin began a cultural expansion. Many new things such as Kurth Memorial Library, new museums, a civic center, Angelina College, a new federal building, a country club, municipal and city park improvements, two shopping malls, and improvement to the Lufkin Independent School District. Lufkin celebrated its centennial in 1982.

Recent history

Debris from the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster fell over the Lufkin area on February 1, 2003.

Thundering 13

A Little League Baseball team from Lufkin, locally known as "The Thundering 13," won the U.S. Championship at the 2017 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The team finished as runners-up to a team from Tokyo, Japan. The team was supported by Texas governor Greg Abbott. A permanent sign was placed picturing the players at Morris Frank Park. The 13 players included Chip Buchanan, Malcolm Season, Charlie Deaton, Hunter Ditsworth, Kolby Kovar, Lance Modisette, Christian Mumphery, Zack Phillips, Mark Requena, Collin Ross, Blake Slaga, Chandler Spencer, and Clayton Wigley.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2010, the city has a total area of
Lufkin is at the crossroads of East Texas at the intersections of Highways US 59, future Interstate 69, which leads to Houston and the Rio Grande Valley to the south and Nacogdoches and Texarkana to the north, and US 69, which leads from the Golden Triangle of southeast Texas to points such as Jacksonville, Tyler, Dallas, and Oklahoma to the north.
Lufkin is northeast of Houston.
The elevation of Lufkin is 139′-404′.

National forests and grasslands

The headquarters of all four United States National Forests and two United States National Grasslands in Texas are located in Lufkin. They are the Angelina, Davy Crockett, Sabine, and Sam Houston National Forests, and the Caddo and Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands.

Climate

Lufkin is a humid subtropical climate that generally has relatively high temperatures with evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. Generally, this climate is seen on the eastern side continents between 20° and 35° N and S latitude. During summer, these regions over low-latitude ocean waters are generally under the influence of hot, maritime overflow from the western side of subtropical anticyclonic cells. These higher temperatures can lead to warm oppressive nights. Due to an increase in thunderstorms, summers in Lufkin are usually wetter than winters. Additionally, tropical cyclones can increase precipitation during the summer. Cold months are usually mild and frosting is uncommon.

Demographics

When the 2010 United States Census was taken the population was 35,067, the most recent estimate in 2019 has the population as 35,510. Lufkin is the largest city in Angelina County.

Estimates

The population of the city is estimated to be 35,021 in 2019. The racial makeup of the city is estimated to be 66.6% White, 25.2% African American, 0.7% American Indian or Alaska native, 2.2% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 2.2% two or more races. Hispanic or Latinos of any race were estimated to be 28.6%. White alone is estimated to be 41.8%. 11.3% of the population is estimated to be foreign born. 24.4% of homes are estimated to speak a language other than English.
There are estimated to be 12,910 households, with 2.68 persons per household. The median household income is estimated to be $43,803, and the per capita income is $23,134. 20.9% of persons are estimated to be below the poverty line.

2010 United States Census

As of the census of 2010, 35,067 people, 12,928 households, and 8,717 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,050.7 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 56.7% White, 27.4% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 11.6% from other races, and 2.2 two or more races. Hispanic or Latinos of any race were 24.1% of the population.
Of the 12,929 households, 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 18.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were not families; 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 26.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the city, the population was distributed as 8.3% under the age 5 years, 7.5% from 5 to 9, 7.1% from 10 to 14, 7.2% from 15 to 19, 7.4% from 20 to 24, 7.1% from 25 to 29, 6.6% from 30 to 34, 5.8% from 35 to 39, 5.9% from 40 to 44, 6.2% from 45 to 49, 6.3% from 50 to 54, 5.5% from 55 to 59, 4.8% 60 to 64, 3.7% 65 to 69, 3.2% 70 to 74, 2.7% 75 to 79, 2.4% 80 to 84, 2.4% 85 and over. The median age was 34 years.

Economy

Lufkin is home to Lufkin Industries, which manufactures and services oil field equipment and power transmission equipment, and supplies of creosote-treated utility poles. It is also home to the Atkinson Candy Company, the creator of the Chick-O-Stick, and Brookshire Brothers, a chain of grocery stores in Texas and Louisiana. Lufkin received Texas's first biomass power plant in late 2009. Aspen Power is building the power plant.
Some of the city's major employers include:
According to the city's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:
#Employer# of EmployeesPercentage of Total City Employment
1Lufkin Independent School District1000+2.34%
2Pilgrim's Pride1000+1.98%
3Brookshire Brothers1000+1.67%
4Lufkin State Supporting Living Center1000+1.67%
5CHI St. Luke's Health Memorial1000+1.64%
6Woodland Heights Medical Center500-999.88%
7Georgia Pacific500-999.83%
8City of Lufkin400-500.70%
9Walmart400-500.68%
10Angelina County400-500.61%

Festivals

September ~ Texas State Forest Festival and Southern Hushpuppy Championships. Brings net profits to the city of $ 60,000.

Points of interest

Federal government

Lufkin is falls under Texas's 1st congressional district which is currently represented by Republican Louie Gohmert. The 2 senators that represent Lufkin as well as the rest of Texas are Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, whom are both Republicans.

State government

In the Texas House of Representatives Lufkin falls under district 57 and is represented by Republican Trent Ashby, who is a resident of Lufkin. In the Texas Senate Lufkin falls under district 3 and is represented by Republican Robert Nichols.

Municipal government

According to the city's 2017 "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report", Lufkin's various funds had $38.8 million in revenue, $43.7 million in expenditures, $85.7 million in total assets, $5.3 million in total liabilities, and $14.9 million in cash and investments.
The City of Lufkin has a council-manager form of government. The city is divided into 6 city council districts, and the mayor is elected by a citywide vote. All elected positions are elected on a nonpartisan ballot, as required by Texas law. The city councils responsibility is to make and decide all legislative and policy decisions. While the responsibility of the city manager is to decide all administrative decisions.
DistrictNameParty Official posting
MayorBob BrownRepublican
1Guessippina BonnerDemocratic
2Robert ShankleDemocratic
3Lynn Torres
4Mark HicksRepublican
5Rocky Thigpen
6Sarah Murray

In 2018, Lufkins crime rate was 4,666 crimes per 100,000 persons, which was an overall decrease by 2% from 2017. There were 134 violent crimes and 1,403 property crimes reported.

Education

According to the United States Census Bureau 80.7% of people in Lufkin above the age of 25 are high school graduates or higher. 21.5% of people 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Almost all of Lufkin's public schools are operated by the Lufkin Independent School District, with a few small sections in the west within the Hudson Independent School District. A very small portion of the city on Highway 69 is within Central ISD. Lufkin also has a small charter school, Pineywoods Community Academy, that serves grades PreK-12 and is an early college high school. Additionally, Lufkin is served by two small private schools, St. Cyprian's Episcopal School and St. Patrick Catholic School.
Angelina College is a community college that is located in Lufkin. The college has roughly 5,000 students. Additionally, Stephen F. Austin State University is located not far away in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Lufkin is served by U.S. Highway 69, U.S. Highway 59, State Highway 94, and State Highway 103.
Lufkin will be served by the extension to Interstate 69 which is planned to run from the Canada–US border at Port Huron, Michigan, to the Texas/Mexico border.
General aviation service is provided by Angelina County Airport.
The Coach USA bus lines serve Lufkin, carried under the Kerrville Bus Company.
Brazos Transit District provides regularly scheduled public bus service in the Lufkin area.
The Angelina and Neches River Railroad runs through Lufkin. It has an approximate length of and connects with the Union Pacific Railroad lines.

Health care

Lufkin is served by 2 hospitals CHI St. Luke's Health Memorial, which includes the Arthur Temple Sr. Regional Cancer Center. The second primary hospital is Woodland Heights Medical Center.

Media

Newspaper

AM stations