History

Rayburn is a small community located on Farm Road 787 in Liberty County, Texas. The region’s history dates back to the original settlers of European decent to the area. Prior to their arrival, various native tribes who lived off of the natural abundance of the area inhabited the region. As Europeans began moving in, these indigenous peoples were eventually displaced.

The first people of European ancestry to come to the region were drawn there for one of two reasons. They were either looking to live on the Texas frontier away from the cities and population of the east or they were looking to take part in the budding lumber industry. In the mid 19 th century, the railroads expanded in the region. This provided a major market expansion for the existing lumber industry. It was during this time that the populations of the communities in the region began to expand. This is around the time that Rayburn was first established. It was originally built near the Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Railway. The idea was to use the railway to grow the local lumber industry based on the forests of Big Thicket.

The town was originally named for a county judge, M.D. Rayburn. It was first platted in 1901 and the first post office was built in 1902. A tram railroad was quickly built to connect the community to the thick forests to the north. The original plans for the community were full of big dreams. There was even a space reserved in the community for a potential college. Unfortunately, the Great Depression significantly impacted the lumber industry. Small towns like Rayburn were hurt due to the loss of industry. Unlike other towns in the area, the oil boom did not save it after the depression. Because of this, the town never materialized into what it had originally been hoped for. The largest population recorded in the community was 100 in the 1940’s.

Today

As of 2000, the population was only 30 people. There are remnants of the past scattered throughout the town. Despite the significant growth of the surrounding area, Rayburn has remained very small. It is located within the Houston – Beaumont Metropolitan area for sure, but it is located too far away from either city to really feel the population increase.

Things to do

There is not much to do in the little town. There are only a few buildings and not really any businesses to speak of. There is a lot of nature in the surrounding area though, which attracts visitors and locals all year round. The town is located just to the east of the Sam Houston National Forest. This forest is one of the most famous in the country for its beauty. Here you will find wildlife viewing areas and hiking trails through the picturesque forest. Lake Conroe and Lake Livingston are also located a short drive away. These are both popular lakes for boaters, swimmers, anglers, and water sports enthusiasts. They both attract visitors from all over and are a great
way to beat the summer heat.