The city of Alvin, Texas has its roots in cattle ranching. Originally just a brief stop along the railroad line, Alvin has seen its days as a cattle town, strawberry farming town, and rice farming town. Now, many of its residents work in the Clear Lake or Medical Center areas, but make their home in this sleepy suburb south of Houston.
Alvin was named for Alvin Morgan, who was hired by the Santa Fe Railroad in 1872 to oversee the cattle holding and loading pens and the large water tank that were situated near the railroad. Morgan opened a general store and a saloon, and throughout the 1880's, cattlemen settled in the area. When the population reached 49, the citizens named the town Morgan, after its founder. However, they soon discovered that there was already a Morgan, Texas, so they changed the name to Morgan's first name, Alvin.
Alvin was incorporated in 1893. It became a regular stop along the railroad line, and the town continued to grow as a cattle community. Eventually, strawberry farming became a major force in Alvin, and in the 1930's oil was discovered in the area. In the 1940's, rice farming became established.
The old train station has been renovated in the last few years, and is open as a reminder of Alvin's humble beginnings.
There aren't many of the original historical buildings left on the downtown square in Alvin. Only a few still remain at the cross-section of Sealy and Gordon Streets. The old movie theater was torn down many years ago to accommodate a parking lot. But the buildings that are still standing are home to some great businesses. Right on the corner you will find Fat Daddy's restaurant, Wells Fargo Bank, and The Barbed Rose restaurant. Helen's Flowers, the Downtown T-shirt Factory, Dreyfus Printing, and State Farm Insurance all have homes on the downtown square as well.
Some of the historical sites in Alvin are the Marguerite Rogers House Museum, the Nolan Ryan Center, Froberg Farms and the Alvin Historical Museum (located in the old post office).
If you like history, a day trip to Alvin, Texas would be a real treat!
For assistance in buying or selling a house in Alvin, contact Rose King, your Alvin Area Expert!!!
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