Manvel

Oil derricks and rice paddies. That’s the unlikely pairing that shaped Manvel, Texas. We’re standing in a city that has seen its fortunes rise and fall, boom and bust, much like the very industries that define it. Manvel, originally known as Pomona, got its current name from a prominent figure in the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. A name change was necessary because another Pomona already existed in West Texas. Imagine those early settlers, the Booth family, arriving in 1857, carving out a life on the banks of Chocolate Bayou. The arrival of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway in 1877 truly set the stage for Manvel’s growth. A townsite emerged, businesses sprouted, and by 1895, Manvel boasted a population of 350, complete with essential services and businesses. However, nature had other plans. Harsh weather, including snow, a tornado, and a devastating storm, decimated the local agriculture in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Manvel persevered. By 1906, a small schoolhouse educated twenty-nine students. The discovery of oil by the Texas Oil Company in 1931 transformed Manvel into a prosperous oil town. This boom brought new residents and businesses, dramatically changing the landscape. The diversification into rice production in 1936 further strengthened the local economy, providing a buffer against the volatile nature of the oil industry. Manvel’s population fluctuated throughout the 20th century, reaching 3,549 in 1985 and then declining to 3,046 by 2000. Today, Manvel continues to evolve, embracing new industries and welcoming new residents. As you look around, you can see the echoes of its past mingling with the promise of its future.