Muldoon, Texas
Encyclopedia
Muldoon is a town
in southwestern Fayette County
, Texas
, United States
, located 10 miles north of Flatonia
and 16 miles southwest of La Grange
. Its population, according to the 2010 census, is 114 and is growing very slowly. It is on the junction of FM 154 and FM 2237.
In 1834, Muldoon travelled to Mexico to visit Stephen F. Austin during Austin's confinement there. Later, he assisted William Wharton in his escape from a Matamoros prison in 1837, after which the town of Wharton, Texas
was founded. Muldoon was openly pro-Texan, which led to his own brief imprisonment by the Mexican government. However, he was eventually released, and even travelled back to Texas following the revolution, making an appearance in 1842 during which he was given a letter of appreciation from Texas President Anson Jones
. Afterward, Father Muldoon disappeared from history and his final resting place is unknown.
The Union Pacific Railroad
tracks, laid in the early 1900s and travelling parallel to FM 154, once carried a high volume of passenger traffic to and from Muldoon on a regular basis. During this period, the railroad formed a large portion of Muldoon's economy; however, ridership eventually dwindled and Muldoon's prominence as a rail depot faded. Additionally, the advent of diesel-powered locomotives meant that trains no longer needed to stop as frequently to refill their water tanks, which further reduced the need for trains to stop in Muldoon. The old train station was abandoned in the 1950s and the Dinky (a small passenger train) which ran a route from Flatonia, Texas to Muldoon was moved away. In the 1960s, Hurricane Carla severely damaged the old water tower which had served the steam locomotives, and this structure was subsequently removed.
Muldoon once had a thriving business community, including several stores, at least one saloon, a blacksmith shop, a small hotel, and a rock quarry which produced the stone used in the construction of the Galveston jetties and several other structures. None of these businesses are still in operation. The Kerr Store, which was built in 1890 and abandoned in the mid 1900s, still stands today along FM 154, along with another former store building, the former blacksmith shop, and several other historic buildings.
In more recent history, a few scenes from the movie Michael
were filmed in Muldoon. Muldoon was featured in the first scenes of the movie, posing as the fictitious town of Stubbs, Iowa. Other parts of the movie were filmed in a dancehall in Winchester, Texas
and the indoor Fayette County courthouse in La Grange, Texas
.
Today, although Muldoon is larger than the neighboring towns of Cistern, Texas
and West Point, Texas
, there is no commercial activity in the community. In fact, apart from the post office, the only organizations that are still operating in Muldoon are three churches and the Muldoon Volunteer Fire Department. However, these organizations are very active, with several events each year that bring the community together, including memorial services at the Pitman Cemetery (1st Sunday in May), the July 4th parade, the Muldoon Baptist Church Vacation Bible School (2nd week of July), and the annual Fire Department fundraisers.
Muldoon's weather data are shown in a graphical format to the right, and in a more detailed tabular format below.
to serves the communities of northwestern Fayette County.
. During the early 1900s, Muldoon had its own school. However, the Muldoon school eventually closed due to low funding, low enrollment, and the growth of the Flatonia school district.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in southwestern Fayette County
Fayette County, Texas
Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 21,804. Its county seat is La Grange. Fayette is named for the Marquis de la Fayette, a French nobleman who became an American Revolutionary War hero...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, located 10 miles north of Flatonia
Flatonia, Texas
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,377 people, 504 households, and 347 families residing in the town. The population density was 850.8 people per square mile . There were 568 housing units at an average density of 350.9 per square mile...
and 16 miles southwest of La Grange
La Grange, Texas
La Grange is a city in Fayette County, Texas, near the Colorado River. The population was 4,478 at the 2000 census. The 2006 estimated population was 4,645. But a 2010 census estimated that the city had a population of 4,923...
. Its population, according to the 2010 census, is 114 and is growing very slowly. It is on the junction of FM 154 and FM 2237.
History
The town of Muldoon was named after Father Michael Muldoon, a clergyman who briefly served Stephen F. Austin's first colonists. He was the only non-Hispanic member of the Monterrey, Mexico Diocese and was probably assigned his duties because he spoke English. He was born in County Cavan in Ireland and later ordained in Spain.In 1834, Muldoon travelled to Mexico to visit Stephen F. Austin during Austin's confinement there. Later, he assisted William Wharton in his escape from a Matamoros prison in 1837, after which the town of Wharton, Texas
Wharton, Texas
Wharton is a city in Wharton County, Texas, United States. The population was 9,237 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Wharton County and is located on the Colorado River of Texas just south of U.S...
was founded. Muldoon was openly pro-Texan, which led to his own brief imprisonment by the Mexican government. However, he was eventually released, and even travelled back to Texas following the revolution, making an appearance in 1842 during which he was given a letter of appreciation from Texas President Anson Jones
Anson Jones
Anson Jones was a doctor, businessman, congressman, the fourth and last President of the Republic of Texas, sometimes called the "Architect of Annexation."- Early life :...
. Afterward, Father Muldoon disappeared from history and his final resting place is unknown.
The Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
tracks, laid in the early 1900s and travelling parallel to FM 154, once carried a high volume of passenger traffic to and from Muldoon on a regular basis. During this period, the railroad formed a large portion of Muldoon's economy; however, ridership eventually dwindled and Muldoon's prominence as a rail depot faded. Additionally, the advent of diesel-powered locomotives meant that trains no longer needed to stop as frequently to refill their water tanks, which further reduced the need for trains to stop in Muldoon. The old train station was abandoned in the 1950s and the Dinky (a small passenger train) which ran a route from Flatonia, Texas to Muldoon was moved away. In the 1960s, Hurricane Carla severely damaged the old water tower which had served the steam locomotives, and this structure was subsequently removed.
Muldoon once had a thriving business community, including several stores, at least one saloon, a blacksmith shop, a small hotel, and a rock quarry which produced the stone used in the construction of the Galveston jetties and several other structures. None of these businesses are still in operation. The Kerr Store, which was built in 1890 and abandoned in the mid 1900s, still stands today along FM 154, along with another former store building, the former blacksmith shop, and several other historic buildings.
In more recent history, a few scenes from the movie Michael
Michael (1996 film)
Michael is a 1996 American fantasy film directed by Nora Ephron and released in 1996. The film stars John Travolta as the Archangel Michael, who is sent to Earth to do various tasks, including mending some wounded hearts...
were filmed in Muldoon. Muldoon was featured in the first scenes of the movie, posing as the fictitious town of Stubbs, Iowa. Other parts of the movie were filmed in a dancehall in Winchester, Texas
Winchester, Texas
Winchester is an unincorporated community in northwest Fayette County, Texas, United States.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
and the indoor Fayette County courthouse in La Grange, Texas
La Grange, Texas
La Grange is a city in Fayette County, Texas, near the Colorado River. The population was 4,478 at the 2000 census. The 2006 estimated population was 4,645. But a 2010 census estimated that the city had a population of 4,923...
.
Today, although Muldoon is larger than the neighboring towns of Cistern, Texas
Cistern, Texas
Cistern is an unincorporated community in Fayette County, Texas, United States. It was formerly known as Whiteside's Prairie and Cockrill's Hill.-History:...
and West Point, Texas
West Point, Texas
West Point is an unincorporated community in western Fayette County, Texas, United States. Although it is unincorporated, West Point has a post office, with the ZIP code of 78963.-External links:* Handbook of Texas Online....
, there is no commercial activity in the community. In fact, apart from the post office, the only organizations that are still operating in Muldoon are three churches and the Muldoon Volunteer Fire Department. However, these organizations are very active, with several events each year that bring the community together, including memorial services at the Pitman Cemetery (1st Sunday in May), the July 4th parade, the Muldoon Baptist Church Vacation Bible School (2nd week of July), and the annual Fire Department fundraisers.
Climate
Muldoon has hot summers and mild winters. The record high for Muldoon was 111°F in 1917, and the coldest temperature was 3°F in 1989. Muldoon is North of Tornado Alley, but rarely has severe weather. Muldoon had the hottest summer in recent memory in 2009, during which the Central Texas Drought devastated the Muldoon and the surrounding areas with very little precipitation and temperatures in the 100s.Muldoon's weather data are shown in a graphical format to the right, and in a more detailed tabular format below.
Fire Department
Muldoon is served by the Muldoon Volunteer Fire Department which was formed in 2001. A second station was built in 2009 in Cistern, TexasCistern, Texas
Cistern is an unincorporated community in Fayette County, Texas, United States. It was formerly known as Whiteside's Prairie and Cockrill's Hill.-History:...
to serves the communities of northwestern Fayette County.
Education
Muldoon is served by the Flatonia Independent School DistrictFlatonia Independent School District
Flatonia Independent School District is a public school district based in Flatonia, Texas .The district has two campuses - Flatonia Secondary and Flatonia Elementary ....
. During the early 1900s, Muldoon had its own school. However, the Muldoon school eventually closed due to low funding, low enrollment, and the growth of the Flatonia school district.
See also
- MichaelMichael (1996 film)Michael is a 1996 American fantasy film directed by Nora Ephron and released in 1996. The film stars John Travolta as the Archangel Michael, who is sent to Earth to do various tasks, including mending some wounded hearts...
- CisternCistern, TexasCistern is an unincorporated community in Fayette County, Texas, United States. It was formerly known as Whiteside's Prairie and Cockrill's Hill.-History:...
- FlatoniaFlatonia, Texas-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,377 people, 504 households, and 347 families residing in the town. The population density was 850.8 people per square mile . There were 568 housing units at an average density of 350.9 per square mile...
- Fayette CountyFayette County, TexasFayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 21,804. Its county seat is La Grange. Fayette is named for the Marquis de la Fayette, a French nobleman who became an American Revolutionary War hero...
External links
- MULDOON, TX Handbook of Texas Online.
- http://www.texasescapes.com/TOWNS/MuldoonTexas/MuldoonTexas.htm MULDOON, TX Texasescapes.