The story of Lufkin begins where many Texas town stories do—with the arrival of the railroad. In 1882, as steel rails cut through the dense pine forests of what would become Angelina County, few could have imagined that the small railway stop would grow into the vibrant community we know today.
Railroad Roots
In the early 1880s, the Houston, East and West Texas Railway pushed northward through the East Texas timberlands, creating new opportunities for commerce and settlement. When surveyors mapped the route, they established a stop that would forever change the landscape of the region.
The new community was named after Captain Abraham P. Lufkin, a cotton merchant and personal friend of the railroad’s president. Though Captain Lufkin never actually lived in his namesake town, his connection to the railway secured his place in local history.
A Community Takes Shape
The strategic location of the railway stop quickly attracted attention from nearby settlements. Businesses and professionals from Homer, which was the county seat at the time, began relocating to the promising new railroad town.
This migration accelerated after a fire damaged much of Homer’s business district. The presence of the railroad offered better transportation options for both goods and people, making Lufkin an increasingly attractive option for merchants, timber workers, and families looking to establish new homes.
Timber Boom
From 1890 to 1920, Lufkin experienced a significant growth period fueled by the booming timber industry. The surrounding pine forests provided seemingly endless resources for sawmills and lumber companies that established operations near the railway.
The abundant natural resources combined with convenient transportation created ideal conditions for economic development. As timber companies flourished, they created jobs that attracted workers and their families, further expanding the young community.
Industrial Evolution
The third significant era in Lufkin’s development occurred between 1938 and 1945. This period saw substantial industrial expansion that transformed the community from a railway stop and lumber town into a manufacturing center.
New industries established roots in the area, diversifying the economy beyond timber production. This industrial growth created ripple effects throughout the community, supporting the development of new neighborhoods, schools, churches, and businesses.
Forest Stewardship
Today, Lufkin serves as the headquarters for the national forests of Texas. From this central location, officials manage the Angelina, Davy Crockett, Sabine, and Sam Houston National Forests, along with the Caddo and Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands.
This administrative role connects Lufkin to its timber heritage while emphasizing modern forest management and conservation principles. The forests that once provided raw materials for early industry now serve recreational, ecological, and sustainable timber purposes.
Economic Diversity
While forestry remains important to the local economy, Lufkin has developed a diverse economic base that includes agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. This diversity has helped the community weather economic changes that might otherwise impact a single-industry town.
The manufacturing sector builds on the industrial growth that began in the 1930s and 1940s, providing stable employment for area residents. Agricultural enterprises in surrounding areas contribute to the local economy through both production and processing activities.
Looking Forward
From its humble beginnings as a railroad stop named for a cotton merchant who never lived there, Lufkin has evolved into a multifaceted community with deep connections to both its past and its future.
The railroad tracks that first defined the town still run through Lufkin, a physical reminder of the transportation innovation that sparked its founding. Around those tracks, a community has grown that honors its timber heritage while embracing new opportunities for growth and development.
As Lufkin moves forward, it carries with it the legacy of Captain Abraham P. Lufkin and all those who followed the railroad into the pine forests to build a community that continues to thrive almost 150 years after its founding.
