Looking for the small town lifestyle? Luling has an ideal location to get away from the "hustle and bustle" and still be close to the city.
Luling, known as the "crossroads to everywhere," is a community located on the banks of the San Marcos river at the crossroads of U.S. Highways 90 and 183 and State Highways 80 and 86, one mile north of Interstate 10 and fifteen miles south of Lockhart in southern Caldwell County. Luling offers a wealth of single family homes ranging from old world Victorian to Mid-Century, and new construction styles.
Early settlement of the area began in the 1840s. Edgar B. Davis's discovery of the Luling oilfield in 1922 prompted rapid growth in the community and attracted various support industries associated with the oil business. By the 1950s local farmers had diversified their crops to include watermelons and tomatoes. Truck farming became such a large industry in the area that Luling residents began holding an annual "Watermelon Thump," a festival that includes a seed-spitting contest and prizes for the largest watermelon.
The Luling Watermelon Thump is held each year during the last full weekend in June. It is a celebration for the locals, and draws many people from out of town as well. The 'Thump' features a carnival, exhibitor's market, arts and crafts, seed spitting contest, melon eating contest, car show, and live entertainment each night. Luling is also home to various cook-offs including the Roughneck BBQ, American Legion BBQ, and Luling Main Street's Rajun' Cajun Throwdown. Night in Old Luling, held in October, features games, food, and booths to help raise money for local non-profit groups. There are many oil well pump jacks throughout the city; some along the main streets of Luling are decorated with characters, such as a girl eating a watermelon.
There are many historic sites throughout Luling, including the Zedler Mill park, open to the public and home to many weddings and events at the Pavilion and Amphitheater. Zedler Mill also serves as the take out point to the Texas Paddling trail along the San Marcos River.
