FM 1626

FM 1626

Written by Karin Shaver Friday, 22 August 2008

FM 1626 is the southern-most boundary of the Community Impact Newspaper coverage area and is near the county line of Travis and Hays counties. The road leads west from IH 35 through the communities of San Leanna and Manchaca and then takes a turn south to Buda and Kyle.

1. San Leanna is an independent village that was incorporated in the 1970s and has its own elected city government, including a mayor and board of aldermen. The village has around 525 residents, who live on the approximately 254 acres near FM 1626. San Leanna has its own well system, which pumps water from Edwards Aquifer and is the municipal water supply. Residents have either Austin or Manchaca addresses.

2. Manchaca is not incorporated and is not a village or a city. It is a community in southern Travis County that has its own post office and volunteer fire department, but no elected city government. It is considered a Class U6 by the State of Texas, which means it is a populated place that is located wholly or substantially outside the boundaries of an incorporated place. Although it does not have its own government, it does have a designation with the US Postal Service as Manchaca, Texas, ZIP code 78652. The population of the ZIP code is 3,358 residents, who are citizens of Austin and San Leanna.

3. Orange Brokerage Company is a food service broker with an Austin office at 307 E. FM 1626. The company has served Central and South Texas since 1974. Call 682-7300 or visit www.orangeinc.net.

4. Custom Quality Marble, Inc. was founded in Austin in 1972. It manufactures and installs custom kitchen and bath surfaces for new home construction and remodeling. CQM is located at 303 E. FM 1626 with showroom hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

5. Cattlelacs is a chainsaw art gallery owned by Doug Moreland. The gallery, located on the corner of FM 1626 and Lowden Lane, is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Moreland is also a fiddler, singer and songwriter. For concert schedule and online store, visit www.dougmoreland.com.

6. Chuck’s Deli and Coffee House opened in May at 12115 Manchaca Road. The restaurant is locally owned. Works by local artists are on display inside. Chuck’s offers live music on Fridays, a drive-through and fresh baked goods. Call 502-5808.

7. Professional Contract Services Inc., located at 718 FM 1626, is a contractor for the federal government and the State of Texas. It provides services such as hospital housekeeping, vehicle maintenance, facilities maintenance, landscaping, janitorial service, food services, data entry and warehouse operations. Visit www.pcsiinc.com.

8. Akins High School, 10701 S. First St., opened in 2000. More than 2,000 students attended last year. Visit www.austinisd.org.

9. Menchaca Elementary School was built in 1977 at 12120 Manchaca Road and has more than 900 students in grades pre-K through fifth. Visit www.austinisd.org.