Tomball wasn't always known as Tomball. Like many things in life it has changed over the last 200 years both in name and size but not in spirit.
Tomball, originally called Peck after a railroad engineer, was originally settled by immigrants in the 1800s. These immigrants were ecstatic to find untouched land that was perfect for farming and ranching. That part has not changed. There are still farmers and ranchers in our area but as Tomball grows the pasture lands are shrinking to make way for progress.
Tomball was originally just a railroad stop. Thomas Ball was responsible for getting the railroad to put the line through Tomball so the city was renamed Tomball on December 2, 1907 after Thomas Ball.
These rail lines brought a boom to the area because it made it easier to ship crops and move cattle.
The lines brought in railroad workers, saloons, hotels and boarding houses as well as shops.
For many years Tomball was known as a "honky tonk town" because of the desire of people to come out to the country and "party". The prohibition ended the boom after 8 years, the town was no longer a party town and the boom ended.
The oil and gas industry brought a second boom to the town in the early 1900s. When it was discovered that oil was abundant in the area it brought a great many people to the area, some of those decendants are still here today.
We are currently experiencing another boom in Tomball. Some say it's the people's desire to live close to Houston but still feel a little bit of that country spirit that resides here. Some say it's because this is where the builders are building new homes and so the people come. Others say it's to get away from crime and crowds.
I say it's because Tomball makes you feel like you've finally come home.
If you decide to join us here, know you will always be welcome.
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