Special offer

Alvin, Texas - From Cattle Town to Sleepy Suburb

By
Real Estate Agent with David Tracy Real Estate License # 0577361

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. 

Downtown AlvinAlvin 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!!!

Posted by

Rose King 



Serving you in Friendswood, Pearland, Alvin, Manvel, Rosharon, League City, Webster, Clear Lake, South Belt, and the Houston Bay Area

Visit My Website!

Email me at rose@rosekingrealtor.com

Thanks for stopping by! Your comments are welcome!

Please Subscribe to My Blog!

 

Comments (6)

Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Rose, I love reading history like this and even more I love looking at pictures from the 1800's and just imagining being there. Thanks for sharing.

Mar 02, 2011 11:09 PM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

If you are buying or selling in Alvin, Texas - Give Rose King a call! She's the one for YOU!

Mar 03, 2011 04:20 AM
Sussie Sutton
David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX
David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

That picture is just great Rose! I really enjoyed your post!

Mar 03, 2011 09:25 AM
Rose King
David Tracy Real Estate - Friendswood, TX
Friendswood / Pearland / Houston Bay Area

Bob - I'm a history buff also!

Joni - Thank you! :)

Sussie - I took that picture outside of Helen's Flowers. We are ordering flowers there for our daughter's wedding.

Mar 03, 2011 12:17 PM
San Antonio Texas New Homes for Sale
www.sanantoniotexasnewhomesforsale.com - San Antonio, TX
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hill Country

 

Rose ...Love the History Lesson !!!    

Alvin has a great location ...Close to Houston and close to the Gulf of Mexico  !!!!

Mar 08, 2011 02:19 AM
Rocky Dickerson
Realty One Group - Las Vegas, NV
Superior Service!

Rose, love the story about Alvin, Texas. I used to love traveling across country and stopping in towns like that. Towns of that nature just seemed to retain a bit mnore of the good old fashioned values.

Mar 10, 2011 04:46 AM