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All the United States Texas Luling Luling Watermelon Water Tower
Gastro Obscura

Luling Watermelon Water Tower

A fruit-loving town welcomes visitors with a giant melon set against the sky.

Luling, Texas

Added By
Sam O'Brien
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  Andre Chinn / CC BY 2.0
  Andre Chinn / CC BY 2.0
  JD Hancock
An example of the watermelon art that you can see around town.   Cortney Martin
Luling’s old Watermelon Shop in 2011. It has since closed.   Cortney Martin
Luling’s old Watermelon Shop   Nicolas Henderson / CC BY 2.0
3-8-25   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
3-8-25   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Looming over the town of Luling, Texas, a giant watermelon pays tribute to the area's cash crop.

Texas is one of the United States' leading producers of watermelon, but Luling's love for the fruit is particularly strong. There are overflowing summertime stands, watermelon-themed murals, an annual festival, and there was once an entire store devoted to watermelon paraphernalia (it's since closed). This pride peaks with the town water tower, which stands 154 feet tall with a green-and-white-striped tank at the top. 

While you can see the tower anytime, those who want to double down on all things melon should visit Luling during the last full weekend in June. Not only is June the beginning of watermelon harvest season, it's also when the town hosts the annual Watermelon Thump, which involves plenty of opportunities for tucking into the juicy fruit, as well as seed-spitting and largest melon competitions. The largest melon in the history of the festival was a black diamond that topped 80 pounds. 

What is a watermelon "thump" exactly? It's how you test a watermelon for ripeness. You "thump" (or flick) the rind with your finger and listen. If you hear a dull sound, it's not ready. If you're met with a deep, hollow sound, you've found a ripe melon. Dig in.

Related Tags

Watermelon Fruit Giant Food Water Towers Food Festivals

Know Before You Go

If you want a good view of the water tower, stop at the Luling Police Department, which is the address included here.

Community Contributors

Added By

Sam OBrien

Edited By

Michelle Cassidy, Darrell Powers

  • Michelle Cassidy
  • Darrell Powers

Published

April 4, 2019

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Sources
  • https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/guides/crop-briefs/watermelons-in-texas/ 
  • https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/9186
  • http://newsite.watermelonthump.com/
Luling Watermelon Water Tower
1800 E Pierce St
Luling, Texas, 78648
United States
29.674909, -97.633336
Get Directions

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Texas

Texas

United States

Places 378
Stories 66

Nearby Places

World's Largest Pecan

Seguin, Texas

miles away

Pape’s Nutcracker Museum

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miles away

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Texas

Texas

United States

Places 378
Stories 66

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