According to CITYPOPULATIONREVIEW.COM, Alba, Texas is a small city located in the northeastern part of the state. It is situated in Wood County, which is bordered by Van Zandt County to the north, Rains County to the east, Smith County to the south and Hopkins County to the west. The city lies at an elevation of 545 feet above sea level and has a total area of 1.2 square miles. It is home to approximately 2,500 people and is considered a rural community with limited commercial development.
The landscape around Alba consists mostly of rolling hills and thick forests with some open fields scattered throughout. The climate here is typical for this part of Texas with hot summers and mild winters that bring occasional snowfall during the coldest months of the year. There are many lakes and rivers nearby that provide recreational opportunities for residents such as fishing, boating, canoeing and swimming.
The area around Alba has been inhabited for thousands of years by Native American tribes such as the Caddo and Cherokee who lived here prior to European settlement in the 18th century. In recent years, many newcomers have moved to Alba due to its close proximity to larger cities like Tyler or Longview which are both within an hour’s drive away. This has resulted in an influx of new businesses popping up around town as well as an increase in housing developments constructed on previously undeveloped land nearby.
Alba offers a variety of amenities for its residents including two public schools, several parks with playgrounds and picnic areas, a public library branch located downtown, a few local restaurants serving up traditional Texan fare like barbecue or tacos, several churches representing different denominations within Christianity as well as one synagogue representing Judaism in town.
Overall, Alba provides its residents with all they need for small-town living while also providing easy access to larger cities nearby when they need something more than what’s available locally. From its natural beauty to its unique historical background combined with modern conveniences like shopping centers or movie theaters located nearby – Alba truly has something for everyone.
History of Alba, Texas
Alba, Texas has a rich and long history that dates back to the mid-1800s. The city was first established as a trading post in 1848 and was named after Alba Moore, the wife of one of the founders. In 1856, a post office was opened in Alba and it became an official town in 1891 when it was incorporated by the state of Texas.
In its early years, Alba saw an influx of settlers from nearby states such as Arkansas and Louisiana who were drawn to the area’s fertile farmland and abundant resources. These settlers quickly began farming cotton, corn, vegetables, fruit trees and livestock which allowed them to build up their wealth over time.
During this period of growth, many churches were established in Alba including Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian congregations as well as two Catholic churches – St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s – which still stand today. The town also had two schools during this time – one for white students and one for African American students – although they were not integrated until much later on in 1964 when the Civil Rights Act was passed by Congress.
In 1901, a fire destroyed much of downtown Alba but it was quickly rebuilt with brick buildings that are still standing today. This rebuilding process marked the beginning of a new era for the town which eventually saw an increase in population due to its close proximity to larger cities such as Tyler or Longview which are both within an hour’s drive away from Alba today.
As the 20th century progressed, more businesses began popping up around town including restaurants serving traditional Texan fare like barbecue or tacos as well as retail stores selling clothing or furniture items amongst others. This influx of businesses helped boost economic growth in Alba which continues today with many new housing developments being constructed on previously undeveloped land nearby.
Today, Alba offers its residents all they need for small-town living while still providing easy access to larger cities nearby when they need something more than what’s available locally. From its natural beauty to its unique historical background combined with modern conveniences like shopping centers or movie theaters located nearby – Alba truly has something for everyone.
Economy of Alba, Texas
Alba, Texas has a thriving economy that is driven by a wide variety of industries. The town is home to many small businesses such as restaurants, retail stores, and other service-based establishments. Additionally, Alba’s agricultural industry is also a major contributor to its economy. Cotton, corn, vegetables, fruit trees and livestock are all farmed in the area and provide jobs for many of the residents.
In recent years, Alba has seen an increase in tourism due to its close proximity to larger cities such as Tyler and Longview which are both within an hour’s drive away. This influx of visitors has helped boost the local economy by providing additional revenue through hotels, restaurants and other attractions. Additionally, this increased tourism has led to more investment in the area which has resulted in new housing developments being built on previously undeveloped land nearby.
The town also benefits from its location as it lies at the intersection of two major highways – US Highway 69 and State Highway 155 – which makes it easily accessible from surrounding areas. This accessibility has helped attract new businesses to Alba including manufacturing plants located just outside of town as well as distribution centers for larger companies like Walmart or Amazon which have opened up warehouses in the area.
Overall, Alba’s economy is strong and continues to grow each year thanks to its diverse mix of industries ranging from agriculture to tourism to manufacturing. The town’s location at the intersection of two major highways makes it easily accessible for those looking for employment opportunities or investment opportunities while its close proximity to larger cities provides additional economic benefits by bringing in tourists or new businesses looking for a place to call home. With all these factors working together, Alba looks primed for continued economic growth into the future.
Politics in Alba, Texas
Alba, Texas is a small town located in Wood County and is part of the Tyler Metropolitan Statistical Area. As such, it is subject to the laws and regulations of the state of Texas as well as those of Wood County. The town is led by a mayor-council system in which the mayor serves as head of government and the city council members serve as representatives for their constituents.
The mayor is elected to a two-year term and works with the city council to set policy for the town. The city council consists of six members who are each elected to serve two-year terms on a staggered basis, meaning that three members are elected during one election cycle and three are elected during the next. This ensures that there is continuity in government between elections.
The mayor has executive authority over the day-to-day operations of Alba’s municipal government including such tasks as setting budgets, enacting ordinances, and appointing department heads. The city council has legislative authority over matters such as taxation, zoning, development plans, public services, contracts and other matters related to local governance.
In terms of political ideology, Alba leans conservative with most residents supporting Republican candidates for office at both local and state levels. This conservative bent can be seen in many aspects of life in Alba including its strong support for gun rights and opposition to measures such as same-sex marriage or abortion rights.
Overall, politics in Alba are fairly typical for a small town in Texas with residents generally supporting conservative candidates who espouse traditional values while also expecting their government officials to provide necessary services efficiently and effectively. With its small population size but growing economy due to increased tourism and investment opportunities from larger cities nearby, Alba looks poised to remain politically stable into the future.