Mineola, Texas

Etymology

The town was incorporated as the railroads arrived. It is believed by some that a railroad official combined the names of two prominent locals' daughters Minnie and Olla to create the city name Mineola. While these two girls did exist, the more likely story is that the city was named after the railroad official's hometown of Mineola, New York because of the area's beauty.

History

Mineola came into existence when the railroads built lines through the Eastern part of the state. In 1873 the Texas and Pacific and the International-Great Northern raced to see which could get to Mineola first. The I-GN reached the finish fifteen minutes earlier. A city government was organized in 1873, a post office opened in 1875, and the town incorporated in 1877, but a fire in the 1880s destroyed eighteen buildings. The town's oldest paper, the Mineola Monitor, was founded in 1876. By 1890 the town had seven churches, several schools including a black free school, hotels, banks, and a population of 2,000. In 1895 Mineola became the site of the Wood County Fair.

Since Mineola was in the heart of the East Texas timber belt, timber was plentiful for railroad tiemaking and lumber. During the community's first sixty years, farm products included cotton, livestock, fruit, and berries. A chair factory opened in 1886, became a crate and basket factory in 1900, and operated until 1952. Highway improvement, the Magnolia Pipeline Company gas line, and the establishment of a railroad terminal caused growth during the 1920s, and the discovery of oil in parts of Wood County and construction of a T&P railroad shop spurred the economy during the 1940s. By 1930 the population was 3,000, and by 1970 it was 4,000. Diversified farming gave way to cattle raising and watermelon crops by 1950. The Mineola Watermelon Festival began in 1948. Subsequently, sweet-potato farming, a creamery, a nursery, and a company that supplies poles and pulpwood to the telephone company helped the economy.

The town remains a shipping center. The Mineola Memorial Library, largely financed by H. W. Meredith, was completed in 1960. Nearby Lake Holbrook, also completed in 1962, attracts residents and visitors. The Meredith Foundation has provided large sums for educational and cultural purposes since 1962. Meredith Hall Civic Center, completed in 1977, is used by large and small groups for varied events. The population of Mineola in 1980 was 4,346. The manufacture of women's clothing, sporting goods, electronic connectors, fertilizer, and cattle feed and the packaging of dry beans and meat provide employment for many people. The Wood County Airport, five miles (8 km) north of Mineola, was completed in 1984. A new city hall complex was completed in 1986, and a two-school facility was completed in 1987. The population of Mineola in 1990 was 4,321.

Geography

Mineola is located at 32°39′10.4″N 95°28′49.1″W (32.652881, -95.480296). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.339 square miles (26.78 km²), of which, 10.161 square miles (26.32 km²) of it is land and 0.178 square miles (0.46 km²) is water.

Climate

Mineola enjoys weather typical of East Texas, which is unpredictable, especially in the spring time. Mineola is humid subtropical climate typical of the Southeast in North America.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,611 people, 1,779 households, and 1,197 families residing in the city. The population density was 859.6 people per square mile (332.1/km²). There were 1,993 housing units at an average density of 376.5 per square mile (145.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 77.19% White, 13.38% African American, 0.70% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 6.44% from other races, and 2.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.95% of the population.

There were 1,779 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the city, the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 22.0% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 22.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,000, and the median income for a family was $37,528. Males had a median income of $29,938 versus $20,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,945. About 16.2% of families and 18.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.3% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

Education

The City of Mineola is served by the Mineola Independent School District.

Transportation

Notable people