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RICH HISTORY – PROSPEROUS FUTURE
Tomball is located along State Highway 249, 28 miles Northwest
of downtown Houston. Although it’s close to Houston, it is far
from being a suburb. Tomball has been here for 90 years, first
as a railroad town, and later as an oil town. The community’s
name was given in honor of State Senator Thomas Henry Ball in
1907 because of his influence in establishing Tomball as a
railroad center for the transport of agricultural products. An
oil boom hit Tomball when a 100 foot gusher was brought in
during 1933, attracting hundreds of new residents. Local
residents received free natural gas for over 50 years in
exchange for exclusive rights by Humble Oil and Gas to drill
within the city. Functioning as a commercial center for a large
portion of Houston’s rapidly growing northwest quadrant, the
Tomball area has developed a strong economic base: Compaq
Computer Corporation, Kwik Kopy Corporation, Friendswood
Development, BJ Services and many other companies.
As a result of Tomball
residents approving an increase of ½ cent to the city’s sales
tax for various economic development,
The Tomball Economic
Development Corporation (TEDC) was formed. Numerous projects
have resulted from this additional half penny on the dollar; two
new firetrucks, a new fire station, new police department
construction, rehabilitation of the city’s baseball fields,
along with funding an infrastructure (engineering) study for
long range plans dealing with annexation and increasing sewer
and water lines. The TEDC is also funding a sub-regional
detention pond that will help with drainage in the area, and is
taking a pro-active approach to bring quality business and
manufacturing to Tomball. Future projects for the TEDC include
the south side sewer plant, a new swimming pool and a staff to
execute their mission and development of Tomball’s south and
west sides. |
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A REPUTATION FOR
INNOVATIVE EDUCATION
Education in Tomball is
top class with The Tomball Independent School District (TISD)
and many private and parochial schools offered. TISD has
implemented successfully innovative vocational programs such as
SmartLab, where students work on computer-assisted design and
matching CAD/CAM workstations. Strong community commitment to
education is reflected by the addition of several new schools
within the district. Special features included are a high-tech
design center and a life skills center.
When Tomball College opened in 1988, projected enrollment was
700 students. More than twice that number actually enrolled and
the campus has grown to over 4,000 students today. This
comprehensive community college offers life-long learning
opportunities, with programs ranging from traditional academic
transfer and occupations and career programs to community
education courses and workforce training options. The college is
recognized for its quality of education and outstanding faculty
members who hold masters and doctorate level degrees.
Unlimited academic transfer programs featuring courses, which
transfer to four-year institutions, are available in
mathematics, the sciences, humanities, business and physical
education. Ten career and technology programs allow students to
earn associate degrees or certificates with job related skills.
Career programs include Engineering Technology, Computer
Information Systems and Veterinary Technology. Counselors and
advisors are available to discuss a student’s specific
educational goals and to ensure progress towards that goal.
LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS
 The new completed 72,000 sq. ft. Tomball College & Community
Library, a Tomball branch of the Harris County Library System offers
library services at the Tomball Community College located at 30555
Tomball Parkway. Friends of the Tomball Library is a group which
supports the operations, including fundraising projects. Please
follow
this link for additional information.
The Tomball Museum Complex, a seven-building, historic museum
center located on Pine Street, features restored buildings,
including the Farm Museum, one of the oldest surviving cotton gins
in Texas. A country doctor's office, a log cabin, a country gazebo
and a 1905 Trinity Evangelical Church are components of Tomball's
historic preservation.
The Chaparral Genealogical Society at 310 North Live Oak Street,
established 20 years ago, operates a genealogical library containing
3,000 books, fische, and microfiche records available for research.
Volunteers operate the facility Monday-Wednesday and Saturday from
10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
PERFORMING ARTS
Serving Tomball and nearby communities for nearly 10 years, The
Regional Arts Center of Tomball promotes music, plays and other
entertainment programs. Stressing quality and professionalism,
the Center is a volunteer organization. The Royal Arts Ball,
sponsored by the Center, is a major fund raising and social
event of the season. Season subscriptions are offered.
Performances are held in various locations in and around the
Tomball area.
MEDICAL SERVICE
Tomball area health care activity is dominated by Tomball
Regional Hospital located in the heart of the community. It has
become Northwest Houston’s fastest growing acute medical
facility. With over 250 beds and a highly trained and
experienced medical staff that represents 30 specialties and
sub-specialties. Professional cared dispensed with genuine
warmth and compassion is the philosophy of those who run this
top-notch facility. They’ve tripled their growth since opening
their doors in 1976 and have much to boast about: Texas Sports
Medicine Center, an 11-acre complex operated by Tomball Regional
Hospital with indoor and outdoor facilities that include a gym,
therapeutic pool, jogging tracks, tennis courts, and sports
fields, 24-hour emergency care, outpatient surgery, laser
surgery, an open-heart surgery program, magnetic resonance
imaging capabilities and a fully-staffed and equipped radiology
lab. And Tomball Regional Hospital is just part of a thriving
health service industry growing throughout the community.
CHURCHES
Regular devout worship was an integral part of the lives of
early settlers. Tomball’s destiny, as America’s destiny, hinged
on it. Most religious denominations are represented in the
greater Tomball area.
RESIDENTIAL CONVENIENCE
The scope of housing choices in the Tomball area is broad with
new custom homes, new production-builder homes, apartments,
rental homes and resales. Also, Tomball is know as an area where
numerous equestrian-oriented subdivisions, including larger
lots, have been developed. Homes range from a $40,000 starter to
a $500,000 spread, with plenty of options in between. And you
are close to everything if you should decide to leave the city
limits. Bush Intercontinental Airport, or any of the unique
shops and malls, can be reached within minutes without
encountering the traffic common to major cities.
Sense of community in Tomball, combines with its strategic
location as an important Houston regional growth corridor,
support a desirable lifestyle. There are 159,000 people in
54,000 households that have been attracted to the area by these
features. Commercial development leads to the creation of many
new jobs each year. Community leaders and other far-sighted
citizens are working hard to foster continuing growth and
retention of Tomball’s natural charm.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation in the greater Tomball area is dominated by
George Bush Intercontinental Airport/Houston, two freeways two
tollways and an extensive mass transit system. As a result,
needs stemming from business, commuting and personal travel are
well served.
Bush Intercontinental, one of the most active in the nation, is
about 20 miles from Tomball. Extensive domestic and
international service is provided by 20 airlines. Approximately
100 cities in the United States are served. The opening of
Mickey Leland International Airline Terminal in 1990 facilitated
international flight to nearly 20 countries. Tomball is
fortunate to have one of the finest general aviation facilities
at Hooks Airport, featuring state of the art landing systems and
one of the only seaplane landing sites in Houston.
Major north-south freeways are State Highway 249 (adjacent to
Tomball and major link with Houston) and Interstate 45. The
Hardy Tollway provides a third north-south alternative, and The
Sam Houston Tollway is a major local east-west access.
Major commercial rail lines in north Houston include Burlington
Northern and Missouri Pacific. Extensive service is also
provided in the Port of Houston and Galveston areas. Amtrak
includes Houston in its national passenger service network.
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