Maxwell, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maxwell, Texas
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 Maxwell, Texas
Location in Texas
Maxwell, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Caldwell |
| Elevation | 597 ft (182 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 512 & 737 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1341098 |
Maxwell is a small, unincorporated community in Caldwell County, Texas. An unincorporated community means it's not officially a city or town with its own local government. In 2000, about 500 people lived there. Maxwell is part of the larger Greater Austin area.
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History of Maxwell
Maxwell was first called New Martindale. Its name changed to Maxwell in 1887. This happened when the Katy Railroad was built through the area. The community was named after Thomas Maxwell. He received the land grant for this area in 1845.
Many early settlers came from Alabama and other states. In the 1880s, German families started moving to Maxwell. Their culture still has an impact on the community today. Later, Mexican farmworkers also moved to the area. This added another important group to the local population.
Early Maxwell life often included singing, dancing, and shooting clubs. These were common in German settlements. The Maxwell Social Club was created in 1953. It helped organize sports and fun activities. It also supported charity and community programs.
The Maxwell post office opened in 1888. Between 1890 and 1892, the number of people living there grew from 25 to 100. The town also gained two general stores, a gristmill (for grinding grain), and a gin (for processing cotton). Maxwell faced big fires three times: in 1887, 1910, and 1922. After the 1910 fire, the town rebuilt its business area with brick.
By 1914, Maxwell had 225 residents. It also had two churches, two general stores, two cotton gins, and a bank. Over time, the town added more businesses. These included three cotton gins, a restaurant, a doctor's office, and a drug store. In 1929, Maxwell had 400 residents and eighteen businesses. After this, the town's population decreased for a while.
In 1980, Maxwell was a filming location for the movie Raggedy Man. Some local residents even had small roles in the film. In 1989, the Union Pacific Railroad took over the Katy Railroad. They added new routes to San Marcos. By 1990, Maxwell had 185 people, a post office, and nine small businesses. In 2000, the population grew to 500. The main employer in the area was the Nagle Manufacturing and Supply Company. They made coat hangers.
Even though it's not an official city, Maxwell has its own post office. Its ZIP Code is 78656.
The Gospel Broadcasting Network films a show called World Video Bible School in Maxwell. The National Hispanic Institute also has its main office in the community.
Honoring Firefighters
On June 20, 2022, two brave firefighters from the Maxwell Community Volunteer Fire Department passed away. Assistant Chief Jonathon Coco and firefighter Hunter Coco were brothers. They were responding to an emergency when their fire truck was involved in an accident. They were honored for their service. In May 2023, their names were added to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Roll of Honor.
Ebenezer Lutheran Church History
The local Ebenezer Lutheran Church is a historic building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
2016 Maxwell Hot Air Balloon Accident
On July 30, 2016, Maxwell became known for a tragic event. A hot air balloon crashed in the area. The balloon hit a power line and caught fire. Sadly, all 16 people on board passed away. This accident was the deadliest hot air balloon crash in the United States. It was also the second deadliest in the world.
Geography of Maxwell
Maxwell is located in northwestern Caldwell County. It sits along the Missouri, Kansas and Texas railroad. This is where Texas State Highway 142 and Farm to Market Road 1966 meet.
The community is about eight miles west of Lockhart. It is also about 4 miles (6.4 km) east of Martindale. San Marcos is about 10 miles (16 km) east of Maxwell.
Education in Maxwell
In 1882, a Methodist church was built in Maxwell by Rev. Ulrich Steiner. This building was also used as a school. A Lutheran church was built later. From 1886 to the early 1940s, it offered classes in German and English. It also held church services. A social club in the community also helped with education.
The very first school in Maxwell was located three miles outside the community. A school district called the Maxwell Common School District was formed. The school building was paid for by private donations. In 1907, it became an independent school district. This building then served only African American students.
At one point, three separate schools served students in Maxwell. These schools taught a total of 438 students. The students were White, Black, and Mexican. Today, students in Maxwell attend schools in the Lockhart Independent School District.
