Stairtown, Texas

Stairtown is an unincorporated community in Caldwell County, Texas, United States.[1] According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had an estimated population of 35 in 2000. It is part of the Austin–Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Stairtown, Texas
Unincorporated community
Stairtown is located in Texas
Stairtown
Stairtown
Stairtown is located in the United States
Stairtown
Stairtown
Coordinates: 29°43′06″N 97°43′40″W
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyCaldwell
Elevation
456 ft (139 m)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code(s)512 & 737
GNIS feature ID1347790[1]

History

The community came into existence during the 1920s, just after the discovery of Edgar B. Davis' Luling oilfield. It was named after Oscar F. Stair, a local landowner. By the late 1940s, there were a few businesses and an estimated population of 20. The number of inhabitants had risen to 35 by the late 1960s and remained at that level through 2000.[2] There were a few oil derricks and a few homes in Stairtown, but those alone dictated that there was little need for a workforce in the community due to its proximity to Luling. According to Oscar F. Stair’s grandson, Fred, he was born in 1867 and his family still owns most of the community, which consists mostly of Mesquite trees.[3]

On August 28, 2008, a natural gas pipeline exploded and caught on fire in Stairtown.[4] The community sustained some damage from a low-end EF2 tornado on March 21, 2022.[5]

Geography

Stairtown is situated at the junction of State Highway 80 and FM 671 in southwestern Caldwell County, approximately six miles northwest of Luling[2] and 20 miles southeast of San Marcos.[3]

Education

Public education in the community of Stairtown is provided by the Prairie Lea Independent School District.

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Stairtown, Texas
  2. Stairtown, TX from the Handbook of Texas Online
  3. "Stairtown, Texas". Texas Escapes Online Magazine. Retrieved October 23, 2009.
  4. "Oasis Pipeline Ruptures in Central Texas". Natural Gas Intelligence. August 29, 2008.
  5. Texas Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. National Weather Service in Austin, Texas. 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.Texas Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. National Weather Service in Austin, Texas. 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
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