The Alvin area was settled in the mid-1800s by ranchers and cattlemen, and once the Santa Fe Railroad expanded into the area, a settlement was established along the railroad. Alvin was initially named Morgan in honor of its original resident, Santa Fe employee Alvin Morgan. Upon discovery the name Morgan had been taken, though, the town re-named itself Alvin after Morgan’s first name, officially incorporating in 1893.
Even though Alvin real estate was all about ranching in the early years, its industries expanded in the 1930s to include oil and agriculture, becoming a major producer of strawberries, oranges, pears, figs, rice and the cape jasmine flower. More recently, Alvin has become famous for its hometown son, Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Nolan Ryan, who played for the Houston Astros in the 1980s and is still greatly revered in the area.
Located in Brazoria County, Alvin is only 30 minutes south of Houston Texas, and home to over 23,000 residents. With plenty of open parks and oak tree-lined neighborhoods in its 5-mile radius, the community of Alvin offers educational opportunities and recreational activities for the whole family.
Living in Alvin, Texas
Alvin homes for sale include older Victorians, custom homes and mid-range single-family homes in peaceful neighborhoods. Residential single-family homes range in price from just under $100,000 to the mid $600,000s, with a wide variety of acreages. If you’re looking for a new home, there are a few new developments in Alvin that include 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes ranging in price from $129,000 to $200,000. Additionally, there are working ranches and commercial property for sale with average prices in the mid-1 millions.
Things to Do in Alvin
As you cruise along the town’s streets – many named for Confederate generals and railroad investors – you’ll notice Alvin has a busy downtown retail / commercial area, along with its own airport. The nearby Gulf Coast Speedway offers the thrill of speed, while the Alvin Golf and Country Club offers a more tempered level of excitement. Family activities include taking the kids on a “safari” at the Bayou Wildlife Park, birdwatching along the Great Texas Birding Trail, swimming at the YMCA or shopping at Froberg’s Farm – billed as the area’s largest open-air farmer’s market. And, of course, there’s a museum dedicated to Alvin’s local baseball hero at the Nolan Ryan Center.
Alvin Independent School District
Alvin Independent School District serves the communities of Alvin, Manvel, Iowa Colony, Liverpool, Amsterdam, and parts of Rosharon, Arcola, and Pearland. With approximately 16,000 students, Alvin ISD is the second largest school district in Brazoria County. Of the district’s 22 schools (13 elementary, 5 junior high, 2 high school, 2 alternative campuses), 10 are rated as “recognized,” 9 as “exemplary” – the highest rating given by the Texas Education Agency. Beginning teacher’s salary starts at $45,000 as of 2010, with more information on the AISD website’s Human Resources Center.
For those pursuing secondary education, Alvin Community College (http://www.alvincollege.edu/) has been serving the Alvin community for over 60 years, and offers a wide array of associate and certificate programs. Of course, Alvin is also within driving distance of the University of Houston, Rice University and other higher learning institutions in Houston.
Alvin’s major employers include Alvin ISD, Alvin Community College, Dish Network and a variety of companies in the energy and petrochemical fields. These, along with proximity to NASA facilities and the Houston business district, are contributing to Alvin’s growth. While Alvin is a growing city, though, its tree-lined streets, neighborhood farms and sense of community still make it feel like home.
