Lindale, Texas

Lindale is a town in Smith County, Texas, United States and part of the metropolitan area of Tyler, TX. The population was 2,954 at the 2000 census. Its motto is "Good Country Living."

History

The area of Smith County where Lindale sits was inhabited long before the city was founded in 1871. In the early 1800's, the Caddo Indians were the area's prime inhabitants; their artifacts can still be found along streams in the area. The area also was home to Cherokee Indians, who were forced out when the Republic of Texas was founded in 1836.

After the Civil War, Richard B. Hubbard, a former officer in the Confederate Army and owner of a large plantation on what is today a retirement community called Hide-A-Way Lake, began searching for a more convenient way to ship the produce he grew on his land. Hubbard convinced railroad officials to lay track between nearby Tyler and Mineola. Hubbard's brother-in-law, Elijah Lindsey, anticipating growth around the new railroad, opened the fledgling community's first general store in 1871, and Lindale had its start; Lindsey was elected the town's first mayor a year later.

Several stories abound locally about how Lindale got its name, but the most common is that Lindsey's name was combined with the suffix "dale" to form "Lindseydale." The name was shortened to Lindale in 1874 when the first Post Office opened in town.

A year later, the International-Great Northern Railroad extended its line through Lindale, and the city's fledgling canning and fruit packing industries took off. By the late 1880s, some 300 people lived in town, which was gaining notoriety for its fruit and berry canning industry.

By 1900, the town had its own newspaper, two cotton gins, several shops, churches, a telephone exchange, a doctor and lawyer, as well as the ubiquitous canning factory. In 1905, the city was incorporated; it spanned about a square mile in total.

Produce continued to be the city's main source of income, and by 1950 the city had gained the reputation for being the "blackberry capital of the world," with tons of berries being cannied and shipped each year.

Present day

Lindale's produce trade has declined significantly over the past two decades, with the closure of its canning factory, allowing other industries to grow, including cattle, hay production, and rose-growing. Several non-profit religious ministries (including Teen Mania Ministries, Mercy Ships, Keith Green and his Last Days Ministries, Teen Challenge, and Youth With A Mission) either are or were once located near Lindale.

The town is served by the Lindale Independent School District.

Geography

Location of Lindale, Texas

Lindale is located at 32°30′26″N 95°24′30″W (32.507145, -95.408293)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 10.4 km² (4.0 mi²). 10.4 km² (4.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.50%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 2,954 people, 1,102 households, and 794 families residing in the town. The population density was 284.4/km² (736.2/mi²). There were 1,186 housing units at an average density of 114.2/km² (295.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 88.19% White, 6.91% African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 2.17% from other races, and 1.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.47% of the population.

There were 1,102 households out of which 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the town the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 84.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,733, and the median income for a family was $38,787. Males had a median income of $31,538 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,825. About 9.6% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.1% of those under age 18 and 10.9% of those age 65 or over.

Notables

Miranda Lambert - country music singer

Local Government/Organizations

City of Lindale www.lindaletx.gov
Lindale Economic Development Corporation www.lindaleedc.com
Lindale Area Chamber of Commerce www.lindalechamber.com