Elgin, Texas

Elgin is a small city which is located 23 miles east ofSmokehouse and the Morelia Mexican Cafe, as well
Austin and 17 miles north of Bastrop, and Elgin is alsoas numerous fast food joints, a coffee shop and a
known as the Sausage Capital of Texas! Elgin coversfew other local eateries.
an area of 4.7 square miles, and in the census ofSome of the prominent employers in Elgin include the
2000, the city reported a population of 5,700school district, the H.E.B. grocery store, Acme Brick
inhabitants. There were 1869 households reported,Company, and the Southside Market, as well as Beall's
and 1349 families living in the Elgin area at the time ofDepartment Store and the City of Elgin. Elgin is a
the census of 2000. The population density was 1214historic city, and a museum was built at the site of
people per square mile. 36% of the populationthe original railroad depot called the Elgin Depot
reported family members being under the age of 18,Museum, and Heritage Walking Tours are offered
and 51% were married couples living together. Thethroughout the city, including historic Main Street. Elgin
average family size was 3.5 members, and there wasis also considered the Brick Capital of the Southwest,
a slightly higher percentage of women than men atand there are numerous historic brick homes to
the time of the census. There was a median incomedisplay their many uses in homebuilding.
of around $38,000 during the 2000 census, and theA watermelon festival is held in nearby McDade
per capita income for the city was around $17,000.every year, and musical events are regularly
The students of Elgin attend the Elgin Independentscheduled by the city, as well as sports events,
School District Schools, and the city holds two annualincluding little league baseball. Elgin is also proud of
events: the Hogeye Festival and the Western Daystheir barbecue, and the Southside Market and
Festival. Part of Elgin is situated in Travis County andMeyer's Smokehouse have both been in business for
part in Bastrop County, and by the year 2005, theover 100 years. Meyer's Smokehouse was named
population had grown to around 8700 inhabitants.one of the 14 top barbecue spots in the state of
Elgin was settled in 1872 and was named for RobertTexas in 2003, and the Southside Market, run by the
Morris Elgin, who was the railroad commissioner atBracewell family, was founded in 1882 and has been
the time. Elgin was settled around the Houston andin business since.
Texas Central Railroad, and the train depot wasThe Elgin Courier is the local source of news for the
originally in the center of the small community. Theoccupants of Elgin, and since the city is located east
city was formed after Colorado River flooded inof Austin, it is reasonably accessible to Houston by
1869, and the city was first intended to be built 10Highway 290 as well as San Antonio, which is
miles east, but due to the flood, the land wassouthwest via Interstate 35 through Austin. There
unusable at the time.are many parks in Elgin, including the Elgin Memorial
Elgin has grown in recent years, and there arePark on Highway 95, as well as the Morris Memorial
numerous churches, schools and restaurants, amongPark, the Thomas Park, and the Veteran's Park.
other attractions. Some of the churches include theElgin is a great place to consider if rural living appeals
First Baptist Church, the First United Methodistto you, yet its proximity to metropolitan areas allows
Church, the Family Worship Center, and the Centralthe advantages of the big city. When traveling to
Christian Church. Lodging can be found in and nearcentral Texas, be sure to visit Elgin, try some
Elgin for visitors, including the new Hyatt Regencybarbecue, and visit with the friendly citizens!
Resort in Lost Pines near Bastrop, as well as theEscapeso Austin real estate is a small realty company
Sunset Lodge Motel and a few R.V. parks.in Austin Texas.
Restaurants in or near Elgin include the Meyers Elgin