Nicknamed “The Hometown with a Heart,” Tomball is a countryside city with a lot of personality. Located in Harris County just a 35-minute drive from Houston, Tomball combines the opportunities that come with city living with the sense of community you get out in the sticks.
With over a century of rich and fascinating history, this Texan gem has contributed its fair share to the State’s development. Although the population sits just under 11,000 people, the area is filled with cultural landmarks, job opportunities, and plenty of attractions.
To better understand Tomball, Texas, as it is today, let us look back at the last 100 years and find out how the city became the unique community it is.
Tomball’s Beginnings
In actual fact, Tomball’s beginnings were far later than the town’s initial establishment. When then the area first attracted settlers way back in the 1800s, the land was owned by one William Hurd. The first official name given to the town at the turn of the 20th Century was Peck, but only for a short time.
In 1907, the city was renamed as Tomball in honor of Thomas H. Ball- a man whose efforts operating the railway through the town was essential to the development and prosperity of the area and all who lived in it. Fast forward 30 years, and Tomball stuck gold- or more accurately, oil. Given the illustrious title of Oil Town USA, the city soon became one of the leading oil drilling zones in the country. What’s more- the residents of Tomball were granted 90 years of free gas and oil! If that is not a perk, who knows what is!
Throughout the second half of the 1900s, Tomball went from strength to strength, building a reputation as one of the best places to live in the State of Texas. Job prospects, housing options, and a welcoming small-town atmosphere right on the edge of one of the country’s biggest cities were just a few of the shining features the area had to offer.
Tomball in the 21st Century
Today, Tomball is a top choice for young families and people looking to relocate to a more rural suburban area without moving too far away from the city. Renowned for its excellent schools and reasonable housing cost, the city has appeal by the bucket load.
Filled with culture, Tomball also attracts visitors looking to learn more about Texas’s fascinating past. The old railroad depot and the historic center live on as history frozen in time and still account for a huge part of the Tomball way of life. Tomball Old Town is like one big museum, with plenty of interesting buildings and exhibits to visit as you stroll around.
George Ranch Park is another highlight of the area and a perfect place to spend those long hot Texan summers. In fact, the climate in Tomball is so enjoyable year-round that the many parks and nature reserves never go quiet, as the residents enjoy the proximity of the town to the glorious outdoors. Much like its neighbor, The Woodlands Township, Tomball manages to combine a vibrant, bustling, and productive town center with the quiet calm of unspoiled nature.
Fun Facts about Tomball
- The city’s motto is: “Tomball- Texan for fun!”
- Tomball’s population is rapidly growing and is expected to almost double by the year 2030.
- German settlers were the first to build a community on the land that would one day be known as Tomball- way back at the beginning of the 19th century.
- Barbequed brisket is a town specialty and is famous across the entire state.
- Because there is so much German heritage and history in Tomball, the city is host to several German festivals throughout the year, including one of the biggest German Christmas markets in the US.
- Farming is a big part of life in Tomball- even if you are not a farmer! People love to pick fruit in the orchard, and the local farmer’s market is the heart of the community.
- Tomball is home to the Lanier Theological Library. It is one of the largest biblical libraries in the country and one of the city’s most famous buildings.
- The Tomball Independent School District is known across the country for its excellence in educational standards. It covers more than 83 square miles, is home to 23 schools, and serves over 18,000 students.
- An average household income in Tomball is just over $42,000.
Final Thoughts
Texas is world-famous for its sunshine, historical significance, and friendly locals. Tomball is the epitome of all the things people love about the Lone Star State. A stone’s throw from the exciting city of Houston and even closer to The Woodlands (the best place to live in the USA, according to Niche.com), Tomball lies in the perfect location for a classic Texan way of life.
