Alvin In northeastern Brazoria County, city founded in 1876 when railroad built through connecting Galveston with Richmond. It's named for founder Alvin Morgan. City has survived hurricanes, notably the 1900 and 1915 storms, and a disastrous fire in 1902. Agriculture and oil-related products sustained the economy for years, but, with its strategic location on the southeastern Houston metropolitan area and close proximity to NASA, today Alvin is center for diversified industries.■ Cultural aspects are influenced by Alvin Community College. An abundance of parks offers places for picnicking; for those looking for sandy beaches, Alvin is just minutes from the Gulf Coast.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Alvin: Angleton * Baytown * Clear Lake Area * Clute * Deer Park * Galveston * Houston * La Porte * Lake Jackson * Pasadena * Texas City-La Marque
Angleton County seat of Brazoria County on the coastal plain. Easily accessible to the Gulf; center for banking, oil, gas, chemical processing, farming, and livestock.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Angleton: Alvin * Brazosport * Clute * Freeport * Lake Jackson * West Columbia
Anahuac First permanent settlement in 1821 when Spanish fortress, established there, was made port of entry for American colonists. Origin of name uncertain; perhaps derived from pre-Aztec Nawatlan tribes, or later Indian word. Today seat of Chambers County; serves rice, cattle, seafood, and oil-producing area.■ Named Alligator Capital of Texas in 1989 by Texas Legislature; boasts more alligators than people. Home of Texas Gatorfest, staged two days each Sept. in Fort Anahuac Park during alligator hunting season.■ Cities within approximately 40 miles of Anahuac: Baytown * Beaumont * Clear Lake Area * Deer Park * Galveston * Humble * La Porte * Liberty * Pasadena * Saratoga * Texas City-La Marque
Aransas Pass Named for pass between Mustang and St. Joseph Islands; on mainland but connected to Mustang Island and Port Aransas by causeway and ferry. Shrimping, commercial and sport fishing are top area industries. Waterfowl hunting in season. Guide service available.■ Visit Conn Brown Harbor, south from Stapp Ave.; at harbor entrance, see Seamen's Memorial Tower, dedicated to fishermen lost at sea.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Aransas Pass: Corpus Christi * Port Aransas * Portland * Rockport-Fulton * Sinton * Taft
Brookshire Established with building of the MKT Railroad in the early 1880s on rich alluvial land included in Stephen F. Austin's original empresario grant. Agriculture still prominent in area economy with rice, peanuts, soybeans, and cattle, plus oil and gas.■ Brookshire lies on I-10, a segment of the Ports to Plains Highway connecting the state's heartland to coastal ports.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Brookshire: Bellville * Eagle Lake * Hempstead * Prairie View * Richmond-Rosenberg * San Felipe * Tomball
Brownsville Texas' southernmost city, international seaport, airport and railroad interchange point on Mexican border. Area dates from colonial days of Imperial Spain, covering periods of exploration, wars, revolutions, and colorful, though infamous, banditry.■ City began in 1846 after Gen. Zachary Taylor established the first Fort Brown to confirm Rio Grande as national boundary after Republic of Texas became a U.S. State. Regrettably, that very incident touched off Mexican-American War, 1846-48. Several existing buildings of Fort Brown are now part of The University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost Jr. College .■ Brownsville is the Rio Grande Valley's largest city whose industries include electronics, automotive components, apparel, industrial services, and tourism. Vacationers are attracted by subtropical climate, proximity to Mexico, excellent golf courses, and access to South Padre Island.■ Brownsville, "On the Border By the Sea", is a birdwatcher's paradise. The convergence of two major flyways afford the birder an abundance of Northern species migrating for the winter. More than 370 bird species share the refuges and wild places in and around the city. Check with the information center, below, for more details.■ Major annual event is Charro Days, a spectacular four-day costume fiesta, in late Feb., that features parades, carnivals, music, dancing, and foods of this colorful two-nation region.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Brownsville: Harlingen * Los Fresnos * Port Isabel * Rio Hondo * San Benito * South Padre Island
Beaumont In Beaumont, a ship leaves port. Settlement began when early French and Spanish trappers and explorers established trading post in early 1800s; townsite laid out mid-1830s. Named either for relative or agent who sold original 50 acres of land, or for slight elevation southeast called beau mont in French. City came of age in 1901 with world's first great oil gusher at Spindletop; village became city of 30,000 within a month. Today an industrial giant, major port, and agricultural center. Home of Lamar Univ.■ South Texas State Fair draws more than 600,000 visitors annually in early October and features FFA and 4-H livestock, a livestock auction, live entertainment, exhibits, and carnival.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Beaumont: Kountze * Nederland * Orange * Port Arthur * Saratoga * Silsbee
Bay City Established 1894; seat of Matagorda County. Today commercial center for farming, ranching, oil, and nuclear energy. Port on Colorado River Feeder Channel connecting with Intracoastal Canal; recreation on river includes boating, skiing, fishing, and a 28-space RV park..■ Cities within approximately 40 miles of Bay City: Angleton * Brazosport * Clute * El Campo * Freeport * Lake Jackson * Palacios * West Columbia * Wharton
Baytown Grew from small sawmill and store settlement in 1824; among early settlers was Nathaniel Lynch who set up Lynchburg Ferry in 1822. Confederate shipyard established nearby at mouth of Goose Creek in 1864; oil discovered 1916. Industries today feature oil refineries, petrochemicals, and synthetic rubber. Recreational facilities for sailing, saltwater fishing, and water sports activities. Home of Lee College.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Baytown: Alvin * Anahuac * Clear Lake Area * Deer Park * Houston * Humble * La Porte * Liberty * Pasadena * Texas City-La Marque
Brazosport A community of nine cities situated at the mouth of the Brazos River. Each separate, but joined in similar outlook and destiny. See listings under FREEPORT, CLUTE, and LAKE JACKSON. Other Brazosport communities are Brazoria, Jones Creek, Oyster Creek, Quintana, Richwood, and Surfside Beach.■ Recreational activities include fresh- and saltwater fishing, swimming and boating, surfing and crabbing.■ Southern Brazoria County Visitor and Convention Bureau, on Texas 332, offers details on area attractions.■ Cities within approximately 40 miles of Brazosport: Alvin * Angleton * Bay City * Clear Lake Area * Clute * Freeport * Galveston * Lake Jackson * Texas City-La Marque * West Columbia
Clear Lake Area A 125-sq.-mile area within surrounding Harris and Galveston Counties encompassing the Johnson Space Center. The area is a combination of business, industry, technology, education, and waterfront living where residents and visitors enjoy the waters of Clear Lake and Galveston Bay. Included are such communities as Clear Lake Shores, El Lago, Kemah, League City, Nassau Bay, Seabrook, Taylor Lake Village, Webster, and the Clear Lake City community, now a part of Houston. This area has 19 marinas with more than 7,000 boat slips.■ Be sure to visit Eagle Dancer which features museum quality Native-American art , as well as sand paintings, rugs, drums, ceremonial headdresses, and much more. At 159 S,. Gulf Freeway, exit 23.■ Cities within approximately 20 miles of Clear Lake Area: Alvin * Baytown * Deer Park * La Porte * Pasadena * Texas City-La Marque
Clute Site of ante-bellum sugar plantations, in recent decades part of Brazosport industrial-recreational-residential area including contiguous towns such as Freeport and Lake Jackson.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Clute: Alvin * Angleton * Brazosport * Freeport * Lake Jackson * West Columbia
Corpus Christi City is major deep-water port and one of Texas' most popular seacoast playground cities. First European to have visited area is believed to have been Spanish explorer Alonzo de Pineda in 1519. First settlement began as frontier trading post founded 1839 by empresario-colonizer Col. Henry Lawrence Kinney; obscure settlement until about 1845 when accelerated growth began. Institutions of higher learning are Del Mar College and Texas A&M--Corpus Christi.■ Seawall, with steps to the water, was built in the late 1930s as part of a major landfill that created Shoreline Boulevard and the popular "T" head docks for pleasure boats. Corpus Christi Beach, north of downtown over the bridge, is the site of the USS Lexington and Texas State Aquarium, and offers park areas, picnic tables, showers, and rest rooms. For maps and current information on Corpus Christi attractions see Visitor Centers (below).■ In keeping with the city's image of having glistening waterways, Corpus Christi's Water Garden at Bayfront Arts and Science Park sparkles for visitors who see, hear, and touch the garden's water. Some 150 fountains form nucleus of park, which is lighted at night.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Corpus Christi: Aransas Pass * Port Aransas * Portland * Rockport-Fulton * Sinton * Taft
Deer Park A bird's-eye view of the San Jacinto Monument Founded in 1892 by Simon West, was named for private park for deer in area. Railroad station established in 1892, and post office established 1893. Has grown from population of 100 in 1940, largely by establishment of industry along Houston Ship Channel. Population grew from 736 in 1950 to 12,773 in 1970.■ Battleground at Deer Park Golf Course offers a challenging 18-hole championship course, driving range, and three practice holes. Each hole along the course is named for some portion of Texas history, drawing on Deer Park's title as "The Birthplace of Texas". Unique, historic bridge purchased from the Texas Department of Transportation links clubhouse with course.■ Cities within approximately 20 miles of Deer Park: Alvin * Baytown * Clear Lake Area * Houston * La Porte * Pasadena
Edna Built on Robert Guthrie League granted by Mexican government through Stephen F. Austin in 1824. As commissary for Italian laborers on the New York, Texas and Mexican Railway, town was first called Macaroni Station. Today seat of Jackson County, commercial center for rice, cotton, livestock, and oil.■ Cities within approximately 40 miles of Edna: Cuero * El Campo * Fannin * Hallettsville * Indianola * Palacios * Port Lavaca * Victoria * Yoakum
El Campo Railroad reached area in 1880s, and Mexican cowboys who brought cattle herds to railhead called the site "el campo" (the camp). When incorporated in 1905, city fathers used the Spanish words in naming city. Now a center for agriculture (largest rice-producing county in state), oil, gas, manufacturing. Excellent hunting and fishing.■ Cities within approximately 40 miles of El Campo: Bay City * Columbus * Eagle Lake * Edna * Palacios * Richmond-Rosenberg * West Columbia * Wharton
Freeport Founded 1912 by the Townsite Company, a New York sulfur mining group; now hub of Brazosport area with variety of recreational, industrial, port, and commercial fishing enterprises. Includes Quintana, Texas' oldest seaport where Stephen F. Austin's first colonists landed in 1822. Historic village of Velasco, where peace treaty between Texas and Mexico was signed after Texas had won its independence on the battlefield of San Jacinto (see DEER PARK), is now part of adjacent Surfside Beach. Old Brazos River Harbor hosts a shrimp boat fleet.■ For details on area attractions visit Brazosport Chamber of Commerce, 420 Texas 332 west.■ Cities within approximately 40 miles of Freeport: Alvin * Angleton * Bay City * Brazosport * Clute * Galveston * Lake Jackson * Texas City-La Marque * West Columbia
Galveston When first explored by Europeans, island was Karankawa Indian site. Pirate Jean Laffite established earliest settlement in 1817. Early years gave city many firsts in Texas: first Roman Catholic convent, first electric lights, and first medical college. Disastrous Galveston storm of 1900, when entire island was inundated during a hurricane, claimed 5,000 to 7,000 lives. A seawall begun soon afterwards, presently 10 miles long, has proved its staying power several times.■ Galveston Island offers 32 miles of beach and also is a treasure trove of things historically Texan. Details from Visitor Information Centers (see below).■ Many city parks, picnic areas and recreation centers offer playground equipment, athletic fields, tennis courts, and golf courses.■ Seat of Galveston County, major port, tourist, and convention center. Home of Univ. of Texas Medical Branch, Texas A&M Univ. at Galveston, and Galveston College.■ Cities within approximately 40 miles of Galveston: Alvin * Anahuac * Angleton * Baytown * Brazosport * Clear Lake Area * Clute * Deer Park * Freeport * La Porte * Lake Jackson * Pasadena * Texas City-La Marque
Humble Just east of Houston Intercontinental Airport, town was named after founder, postmaster and Justice of the Peace, P. S. Humble in 1886. In 1904, oil was discovered; by 1905, town was a "boom town." In 1909, local feed store owner Ross Sterling along with a few others founded Humble Oil & Refining Co. (now Exxon).■ Drilling for oil in 1912, artesian water was discovered. The precious water was used in bathhouses for oil field workers and piped to nearby houses. Today site of historic Lambrecht Town & Artesian Well.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Humble: Baytown * Cleveland * Conroe * Deer Park * Houston * La Porte * Liberty * Pasadena * Spring * Tomball
Hempstead County seat of Waller County. Established in 1856 as railroad town when Hempstead Town Company offered lots and blocks to Houston and Texas Central Railroad as inducement for line to run through town. Because the railroad made it an important shipping and receiving area during the War Between the States, several camps were established in the vicinity. Long known as "Six Shooter Junction" because of an era of violence around the turn of the century that gave it a nickname. Most notable fight shocked the nation in 1905 when U.S. Congressman John Pinckney and his brother, and two others were gunned down in the courthouse while meeting with prohibitionists, recent victors in an election to ban booze. Heckling began, and in less than two minutes, four people were dead, and the Waller County Courthouse was riddled with 75 shots in the fight. Today, economy is primarily farms, ranches, oil and gas. The close proximity to Houston (52 miles) offers opportunity for cosmopolitan city activities.■ For water fountains, yard statuary, or bird baths, stop by Frazier's Ornamental and Architectural Concrete on Business U.S. 290. They have acres of concrete products from estate-sized entry pieces to tabletop creations. Open daily, except Wed.■ Cities within approximately 20 miles of Hempstead: Bellville * Brenham * Chappell Hill * Independence * Plantersville * Prairie View * Washington
Houston Named after Sam Houston, general of Texas army that won independence from Mexico, and president of Republic of Texas. The city, largest in Texas and fourth largest in nation, has experienced phenomenal growth since a small riverboat landing was established on Buffalo Bayou by Allen brothers in August 1836. Today metropolis is industrial and financial hub for much of the state. It is one of nation's largest seaports, and headquarters of Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.■ Houston lies on I-10, a segment of the Ports to Plains Highway connecting the state's heartland to coastal ports.■ Institutions of higher learning include Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Baptist Univ., Rice Univ., South Texas College of Law, South Texas Junior College, Texas Southern Univ., Univ. of Houston, Univ. of St. Thomas and Univ. of Texas Health Science Center.■ Major annual events include the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in late Feb. and early Mar., largest livestock exposition in state with championship cowboys and popular entertainers.■ Professional sports are presented throughout the year. Teams include the Houston Astros, baseball; Houston Oilers, football; Houston Rockets, basketball; Houston Hotshots, indoor soccer; and the Houston Aeros, hockey.■ Houston International Festival each April celebrates the performing and visual arts with 10-day outdoor festival of multicultural music, dance, arts and crafts, and food.■ For full details about Houston's abundant attractions and events, stop at the city's Visitor Information Center Cities within approximately 30 miles of Houston: Alvin * Baytown * Clear Lake Area * Deer Park * Humble * La Porte * Pasadena * Richmond-Rosenberg * Spring * Tomball
Harlingen The entry to Valley Greyhound Park Named for a city in The Netherlands; incorporated in 1905. From its beginning, city has been a transportation and distribution hub for the rich lower Rio Grande Valley. In the subtropical tip of Texas, visitors are lured by balmy temperatures throughout most of the year, landscapes edged by palm trees and flaming bougainvillea, the nearness of enchanting Old Mexico, and proximity to surf-washed Gulf beaches. There's almost always a harvest in progress: Peas, carrots, lettuce, spinach or cabbage, and, in winter, a bounty of oranges and prized Texas Ruby Red Grapefruit is returning after the disastrous 1989 freeze. In summer, tons of cotton, sugar cane and grain are harvested.■ Visit the chamber of commerce at 311 E. Tyler St. for details about area attractions and activities. The Harlingen Visitor Center, 201 E. Madison St., is the social headquarters for winter visitors from mid-Nov. to mid-Apr.■ Near city's Industrial Air Park is the Marine Military Academy, a prep school dedicated to U.S. Marine Corps traditions, and the Rio Grande campus of Texas State Technical College.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Harlingen: Alamo * Brownsville * Donna * Los Fresnos * Raymondville * Rio Hondo * San Benito * San Juan * Weslaco
Indianola From what she was, she's the biggest ghost of them all, but not to the eye. At the terminus of Texas 316 south of Port Lavaca, all is clean tranquillity--a deception. Sea and desert have defeated many towns. The sea is more ruthless--implacable until every trace is scoured away, until all is virgin sand where the footprints of men apparently never trod.■ The prints of 6,000 and more did tread here, when concrete and stout-timbered structures lined what was considered the finest harbor on the Gulf of Mexico. Piers thrust into the bay for half a mile, funneling rich cargoes to and from great ships. In the 1840s German colonists landed, led by Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels (see NEW BRAUNFELS). In the 1850s an army depot supplied the frontier forts of all Texas. Here two shiploads of Arabian camels landed, beginning that imaginative experiment of Jefferson Davis. Warehouses stored ice, winter-cut on the Great Lakes, prized during Texas summers.■ The bustling, prosperous town survived shelling, capture and recapture during the Civil War, yellow fever epidemics, and a storm thought severe in 1866. But all were only prelude to Sept. 17, 1875. The sea that had created and nourished Indianola rose in monstrous salty gray hummocks, lashed by shrieking winds--hurricane! Nine hundred perished, and three-fourths of the city lay in matchbox shambles. Disaster on an unimagined scale.■ But Indianola was too prosperous, too vital to quit because of one freak tragedy. Larger warehouses were raised; new piers of heavier pilings sprouted. Eleven years passed before a brutal fact was driven home: that earlier black September was no freak. An even more savage storm sounded the city's death knell.■ Indianola was literally gone. Even wreckage was scarce. The few citizens who somehow survived did not return. The county seat, in name, was moved to Port Lavaca for there was really nothing left to move.■ Today the tide laps at a few stones of the courthouse foundation. Inches above the smooth sand, outlines of a few shattered concrete cisterns remain. Some fishermen's homes have come of late, and the state has erected an historical marker.■ One thing more, appropriately: a solitary rose granite statue of Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle. The French explorer was first to leave a bootprint on the sands of Indianola more than 300 years ago. Today his stone likeness surveys the same featureless, unmarked sands.■ Cities within approximately 50 miles of Indianola: Bay City * Edna * El Campo * Fannin * Palacios * Port Lavaca * Port O'Connor * Refugio * Rockport-Fulton * Victoria
Kingsville Calm waters at the King Ranch Established on Fourth of July 1904 with arrival of first train over St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railroad; land for townsite, in the heart of the King Ranch, was donated by Mrs. Henrietta King. Mrs. King was interested in the settlement of the region between Corpus Christi and Brownsville. She also constructed the First Presbyterian Church building, donated land for Baptist, Catholic, Episcopal and Methodist churches, built a high school and presented it to the town, and provided land for South Texas State Teachers College (now Texas A&M Univ.-Kingsville). Kingsville became Kleberg County seat in 1913.■ Today the city is center for agriculture, oil and banking. Kingsville is also home of Naval Air Station Kingsville.■ Visitors find an array of boutiques and antique shops downtown in historic buildings featuring handmade crafts, home-baked goods, crafts, jewelry, and much more!■ Cities within approximately 50 miles of Kingsville: Alice * Corpus Christi * Falfurrias * Mathis * Portland * Sinton * Taft
La Porte Given its name "The Door" by French settlers in 1889 when the city was founded on upper Galveston Bay. Deep-water port and petrochemical industries coexist in harmony with pleasant residential environment and bayshore resorts.■ Home of Houston Yacht Club, second oldest yacht club in the U.S.■ Details about events, free maps, directions, literature, accommodations and dining information provided daily by the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce, 731 S. Broadway St. Telephone 713/471-1123.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of La Porte: Alvin * Anahuac * Baytown * Clear Lake Area * Deer Park * Houston * Humble * Pasadena * Texas City-La Marque
Lake Jackson Was founded and developed by the Dow Chemical Co. as a housing project for its employees during 1941-1942. The town was laid out as a model community of permanent homes. It was named for a small lake in the vicinity on the plantation of the name developed by Maj. Abner Jackson before the Civil War. Today the town is part of the large Brazosport industrial area on the Texas Coast.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Lake Jackson: Alvin * Angleton * Brazosport * Clute * Freeport * West Columbia
Los Fresnos Located in south central Cameron County, the town was named for the fresnos (ash) trees scattered in the woods and along streams. In 1912, Lon Hill, an early land owner, formed a company to develop a canal system which would use the Rio Grande River to irrigate land for farming. Railroad construction in the early 1900s began to bring settlers to the area, and by 1915 a post office was established. Because of the fertile, irrigated land, farm products increased and with the long growing season in the Valley, farming flourished. Today the city is still surrounded by fertile farm/ranch land. Major crops are cotton, sugar cane, grains, orange and red grapefruit orchards.■ For information on events, accommodations, and dining facilities, and other area happenings, contact the Los Fresnos Area Chamber of Commerce at 210/233-4488.■ Cities within approximately 20 miles of Los Fresnos: Brownsville * Harlingen * Port Isabel * Rio Hondo * San Benito * South Padre Island
Mathis Established in 1885, town is commercial center for agricultural area featuring livestock and cotton, also producing large quantities of grain sorghum, flax, and varied truck crops. San Patricio County has extensive oil production, many petrochemical plants. Mathis is major gateway to Lake Corpus Christi and to a popular state park (see below) on its shores.■ Cities within approximately 40 miles of Mathis: Alice * Beeville * George West * Portland * Refugio * Sinton * Taft * Three Rivers
Nederland Founded just before turn of the century by immigrants from Holland. Name means "lowland" in Dutch. Early efforts at rice farming and dairying played important role, but growth began in earnest with discovery of Spindletop Oil Field (see BEAUMONT).■ Cities within approximately 40 miles of Nederland: Beaumont * Kountze * Orange * Port Arthur * Saratoga * Silsbee
Orange Texas' easternmost city on the Sabine River boundary with Louisiana; established 1836, the year of Texas' independence. Named for landmark of wild orange groves on banks of the Sabine, as cited by early French and Spanish boatmen. Today Orange is both a recreational and industrial portal to Texas. Abundant fresh- and saltwater fishing; hunting and bird-watching in vast coastal marshes.■ A walking tour map of downtown, available from the chamber of commerce at 1012 Green Ave., visits such sites as the central fire station where an antique fire engine and fire-fighting memorabilia are displayed, plus other historic or interesting structures.■ Cities within approximately 40 miles of Orange: Beaumont * Kirbyville * Kountze * Nederland * Port Arthur * Silsbee
Palacios Founded 1903, in area named by shipwrecked Spaniards who supposedly saw a vision of tres palacios (three palaces). Fishing is dominant industry, both sport and commercial, along with seafood processing plants.■ An attractive bayfront park that stretches along Tres Palacios Bay offers palm trees, picnicking facilities, and a spectacular 1.5-mi. railed walkway at water's edge. Other features include a pier with covered pavilion, fishing jetty, and boat ramps.■ Cities within approximately 40 miles of Palacios: Bay City * Edna * El Campo * Indianola * Port Lavaca * Port O'Connor
Prairie View Named for plantation home of Col. Jack Kirby; later became a girls' school. Property deeded to state in 1876; legislature established college for black youths on the site, now Prairie View State Univ.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Prairie View: Anderson * Bellville * Brenham * Brookshire * Chappell Hill * Hempstead * Independence * Navasota * Plantersville * San Felipe * Tomball * Washington
Pasadena Name is Spanish for Land of Flowers, chosen for blooming meadows along Vince's Bayou. Bayou figured prominently in Battle of San Jacinto. Now a residential community closely tied to the petrochemical and shipping industries along the Houston Ship Channel. Town became a rural post office in 1900, mushroomed into bustling residential suburb and continued to grow with rise of Houston. Home of San Jacinto Junior College and Texas Chiropractic College. Northeast is site of capture of Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna at Battle of San Jacinto.■ Cities within approximately 20 miles of Pasadena: Alvin * Baytown * Clear Lake Area * Deer Park * Houston * La Porte
Port Aransas On Mustang Island, reached by causeway and free, 24-hour ferry service; one of the most popular tourist destinations on Gulf Coast. English settler built ranch house on site 1855; later developed as fishing village. Summer visitors swell population by thousands. Hotels, motels, resorts, bait and tackle shops, superb open beaches, shrimp boat port, U.S. Coast Guard Station.■ Port Aransas lies along the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail which extends from Brownsville to Orange along the Texas coast. The trail is cosponsored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Department of Transportation.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Port Aransas: Aransas Pass * Corpus Christi * Portland * Rockport-Fulton * Sinton * Taft
Port Arthur A resident of Sea Rim State Park On northwest shore of Sabine Lake nine miles from Gulf of Mexico, site of settlement known as Aurora in 1840. City named after Arthur E. Stilwell, Kansas City financier, who was instrumental in building railroad to edge of townsite. Home of Lamar Univ. at Port Arthur (formerly Port Arthur College). Queen of Peace statue and Oriental gardens at 801 9th Ave. are especially beautiful when decorated with 700,000 lights at Christmas.■ Port Arthur comes alive during Mardi Gras. This pre-Lenten celebration is growing in the Cajun city and it's family oriented. Call the convention and visitors bureau at 409/985-7822, or 1-800-235-7822, or stop by at 3401 Cultural Center Dr. (9th St. exit from Texas 73) for information on events, accommodations, and other area attractions.■ City is year-round fisherman's destination. Average temperature varies from 55 degrees in winter to 82 in summer. Port Arthur Convention and Visitors Bureau sells an area Waters Guide showing many excellent locations to catch more than 25 varieties of freshwater and saltwater fish, along with charts, marina, fuel and services information.■ Cargo tonnage, annually averaging about 23,000,000, justifies the claim "We Oil the World," because nearly a million barrels of crude oil are refined in area daily.■ Cities within approximately 50 miles of Port Arthur: Anahuac * Beaumont * Kountze * Nederland * Orange * Saratoga * Silsbee
Port Isabel A lighthouse/museum at Port Isabel Small, picturesque village on Laguna Madre, the body of water between the Texas mainland and Padre Island. Seaside atmosphere with accommodations, RV parks, and shrimp boat fleet. The area was supply base for Gen. Zachary Taylor's army in Brownsville during the Mexican War, 1846-48. In 1848-49, port saw flow of gold seekers from the East, landing here to begin overland trek to California.■ Cities within approximately 40 miles of Port Isabel: Brownsville * Harlingen * Los Fresnos * Port Mansfield * Rio Hondo * San Benito * South Padre Island
Portland In southeastern San Patricio County on bluff overlooking Nueces and Corpus Christi Bays. Town was dream of John G. Willacy who effectively merged the New England Land Co. of Portland, Maine, New England Real Estate Co., and Portland Harbor and Improvement Co. of Wichita, Kansas, into working unit and purchased 1,920 acres of land from Coleman-Fulton Pasture Co. in 1891. Post office authorized on March 9, 1891; incorporated in 1949. City forms almost perfect triangle with Portland, Maine, and Portland, Oregon.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Portland: Aransas Pass * Corpus Christi * Port Aransas * Refugio * Rockport-Fulton * Sinton * Taft
Port Lavaca Seat of Calhoun County, on a bluff overlooking Lavaca Bay; important center for commercial and pleasure fishing, ranching and agriculture; port facilities and diversified industries. Miles of nearby swimming beaches, abundant bait and tackle shops, boat ramps. Waterfowl hunting during season.■ Cities within approximately 40 miles of Port Lavaca: Edna * Fannin * Indianola * Palacios * Port O'Connor * Victoria
Port Mansfield Until 1948, the little-used highway from Raymondville to point on Laguna Madre called Redfish Bay was traveled by occasional fishermen going to deserted beaches. No community marked the road's end at the water's edge. People of Willacy County, employing own financing, set about creating port. They built wharves, docks and turning basin; laid out townsite, and called it Port Mansfield. Ship channel completed 1962, slicing across shallow Laguna Madre, through Padre Island into deep waters of Gulf of Mexico. Former "occasional" fishermen now have lots of company--sports editors rate Port Mansfield as one of 10 best fishing spots in nation!■ Port Mansfield's surrounding salt flats and small spoil islands support an amazing variety of resident and migratory birds. The nearby Laguna Madre area is well-known among bird watchers.■ The town is also home to U.S. Weather Bureau and U.S. Coast Guard Stations.■ Contact the chamber of commerce office for additional information on events, accommodations, and dining facilities at 210/944-2354.■ Cities within approximately 40 miles of Port Mansfield: Harlingen * Los Fresnos * Port Isabel * Raymondville * Rio Hondo * San Benito * South Padre Island
Port O'Connor Closely tied to the sea, the town is home port to commercial fishing and shrimp boats, plus charter boats and a fishing pier. A wide variety of sea birds draws birders to this colorful community. The coastline and bays were first mapped by Alanzo de Pinada in 1519; he called the mainland "Amichel"--the earliest recorded designation of what was to become Texas.■ Cities within approximately 50 miles of Port O'Connor: Bay City * Edna * Indianola * Palacios * Port Lavaca * Rockport-Fulton * Victoria
Richmond-Rosenberg Although separate municipalities, twin towns share heritage, business and living areas. Earliest settlement 1822 by members of Old Three Hundred (Stephen F. Austin's colony), later supplemented by unusual variety of ethnic and cultural groups--Southern plantation owners, Confederate veterans, carpetbaggers, Czech immigrants, blacks, railroad and oilmen. Post-Reconstruction era brought "Jaybird-Woodpecker War" with heavy casualties between rival political factions 1888-90; a city-hall obelisk is topped with a jaybird. Carrie Nation's crusade against "demon rum" began in Richmond. Silver-domed Fort Bend County Courthouse dates from 1908 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; historical markers on grounds, 500 Jackson St., Richmond.■ Morton Cemetery contains graves of many early pioneers of Texas.■ Fertile coastal plains devoted to farming, ranching. Industries include oil, salt, sulphur production, steel fabrication and diversified manufacturing. Richmond-Rosenberg Chamber of Commerce at 4120 Ave. H (U.S. 90A/59) offers information on historic sites and recreation throughout area.■ Ft. Bend Opry features country and Western music every Fri. night at Cole Theater in Rosenberg.■ Cities within approximately 40 miles of Richmond-Rosenberg: Alvin * Angleton * Bellville * Brookshire * Eagle Lake * El Campo * Houston * Pasadena * Prairie View * San Felipe * Tomball * West Columbia * Wharton
Refugio (Re-FURy-o) Founded 1834 at site of Mission Nuestra Senora del Refugio, relocated here from swamps of Calhoun County in 1795. Town today is seat of Refugio County, commercial center for oil-producing, ranching, farming region. Public parks offer picnicking, playgrounds, tennis courts, and municipal swimming pool. Fishing and water sports on nearby coastal bays; hunters seek migratory waterfowl, deer, wild turkey, and wild boar.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Refugio: Beeville * Fannin * Goliad * Portland * Rockport-Fulton * Sinton * Taft
Rio Hondo Situated on eastern bank of Arroyo Colorado; land promoters divided lots for town in 1910 and sponsored contest to name townsite. Rio Hondo selected, which means "deep river"; incorporated in 1927. City is part of very fertile farmland in the Rio Grande Valley with cotton and grain principal crops. Mild Valley temperatures lure many winter visitors.■ One of two lift-span bridges in Texas is in Rio Hondo. Built in 1953, bridge allows barge and boat traffic to make their way to port at Harlingen.■ Visitors often seek sodas and other fountain drinks from old-time soda fountain in vintage downtown drug store.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Rio Hondo: Brownsville * Donna * Harlingen * Los Fresnos * Port Isabel * Port Mansfield * Raymondville * San Benito * South Padre Island * Weslaco
Rockport-Fulton A birdwatcher at Goose Island State Park Although separate municipalities, towns share heritage, business, and recreational areas. Abundant access to saltwater recreational opportunities; on peninsula between Copano Bay and Aransas Bay, sheltered from Gulf of Mexico by St. Joseph Island.■ Rockport established 1867 as shipping point for wool, hides, bones, and tallow. Became seat of Aransas County in 1871; today important commercial fishing area. Tourists, boaters, and anglers gather to enjoy mile-long swimming beach.■ Fulton settled in 1866 and named for George Ware Fulton, who built a French Second Empire style house in the mid-1870s north of Rockport. Coleman-Fulton Pasture Co. ranched in area and promoted efforts toward a deep-water pass and railroads in order to market their beef; now a tourist community.■ Rockport-Fulton lies along the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail which extends from Brownsville to Orange along the Texas coast. The trail is cosponsored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. and the Texas Department of Transportation.■ Chamber of Commerce office at 404 Broadway St. in Rockport has information for local events, accommodations, dining, and points of interest. Self-guided historical driving tour available; audiocassette tape can be rented to accompany tour. For additional information, call 1-800-242-0071.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Rockport-Fulton: Aransas Pass * Corpus Christi * Port Aransas * Portland * Refugio * Sinton * Taft
Raymondville Willacy County seat is commercial center for grain sorghum, cotton, citrus, vegetables and corn. Favorable summers and winters allow 300-day growing season. Recreation includes municipal swimming pool, golf course, city park, and saltwater fishing in Laguna Madre and Gulf of Mexico at Port Mansfield. A planned "Winter Texan" tourist program Nov. - Mar. with socials, arts-crafts classes, trips to Mexico, etc. Additional information on area available from Chamber of Commerce, 427 S. Seventh St., or call 210/689-3171.■ Inquire locally about a boot-making family who still crafts boots by hand. Their boots are worn by Texas Rangers, cowboys and royalty. Over the years, word of mouth and a hand-lettered sign on U.S. 77 is all the advertising the family has needed to attract hundreds of devoted customers.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Raymondville: Alamo * Donna * Edinburg * Harlingen * Port Mansfield * Rio Hondo * San Benito * Weslaco
Sinton San Patricio County seat established 1885 as station on San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad. Greatest population surge came in 1909 when several large ranches divided into smaller farms; resulting diversity of agriculture still apparent. Small downtown park with picnic area. 300-acre Rob and Bessie Welder Park with playground, golf, tennis, swimming pool, and small lake; east of U.S. 181 north.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Sinton: Aransas Pass * Beeville * Corpus Christi * Mathis * Port Aransas * Portland * Refugio * Rockport-Fulton * Taft
San Benito City is know as the "Resaca City." A picturesque resaca, 400 feet wide, flows through the city, which is the main canal of a large irrigation system. Only 8 miles from the Mexican border, city was first named Diaz, for Mexico's president, because the people of the area were predominantly of Mexican ancestry. Anglo settlers didn't arrive until 1906, after the completion of the first irrigation system. Prior to this, the region was an arid, mesquite-cactus-brush covered wilderness. As a result of irrigation, the city, as well as all of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, developed an extensive agribusiness. The mild winter climate allows crops to grow year round, not to mention the colorful flowers and native trees. A birder's paradise!.■ Note the name of the streets, particularly in the central part of town. Generally, north-south streets are named after Texas heroes; east-west streets for early community leaders. In other areas of the city, streets are named after landmarks and notable figures in Mexican and American history.■ Col. Sam A. Robertson, founder of the city, promoted and built the San Benito and Rio Grande Valley Railroad to provide efficient transportation system for shipping farm products. Because of the intricate network of lines and spurs, the railroad was commonly known as the "Spiderweb Railroad."■ Historical markers are found within the city and area. For information on events, accommodations, and dining, contact the chamber of commerce at 210 E. Heywood, or call 210/399-5321.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of San Benito: Brownsville * Donna * Harlingen * Los Fresnos * Port Isabel * Raymondville * Rio Hondo * South Padre Island * Weslaco
South Padre Island Catamarans in preparation for a race Incorporated in 1973, small resort town is on southern tip of storied Padre Island just across Laguna Madre, the bay separating island from mainland. Access via free causeway on Park Road 100. Visitors find wide range of accommodations from campgrounds and family motels to high-rise luxury hotels and condo rentals, marinas and seaside cottages. Restaurants feature fresh seafood harvested daily from the Gulf.■ South Padre is known for its water sports, including jet skiing; bay, surf, and deep-sea fishing; parasailing, sailing, and windsurfing. Other island activities include bicycling, tennis, shelling, and horseback riding on the beach.■ The South Padre Island Visitor Center provides detailed information about accommodations, activities and events related to boating, sailing, fishing, and seashore recreation. Open Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sat., Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Padre Blvd., a half-mile north of the causeway at 600 Padre Blvd. Telephone 210/761-6433, or 1-800-343-2368 U.S. and Canada.■ Cities within approximately 40 miles of South Padre Island: Brownsville * Harlingen * Los Fresnos * Port Isabel * Port Mansfield * Rio Hondo * San Benito
Spring Settled by German immigrants in 1840. Served as a railroad center in early 1900s, but population thereafter declined until caught in the surging growth of Houston in the present day.■ Cities within approximately 40 miles of Spring: Baytown * Brookshire * Cleveland * Coldspring * Conroe * Deer Park * Houston * Humble * La Porte * Liberty * Pasadena * Plantersville * Prairie View * Tomball
Taft Established in early 1900s on the San Antonio and Aransas Pass RR in east central San Patricio County. Town named for Charles Taft of the Coleman-Fulton Pasture Co. for which the station was a shipping point. Other partners in the enterprise were named Mathis, Fulton, and Sinton--all of whom have towns named for them also. Today's economy is based on agriculture and diversified industries.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Taft: Aransas Pass * Corpus Christi * Mathis * Port Aransas * Portland * Refugio * Rockport-Fulton * Sinton
Tomball Small town in northern Harris County named for Thomas H. Ball, prominent Houston attorney and U.S. Congressman from Texas at turn of the century. Community experiencing growth from expanding population of Houston. David Wayne Hooks Airport is state's largest privately owned airport.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Tomball: Brookshire * Conroe * Hempstead * Houston * Humble * Plantersville * Prairie View * Spring
Texas City-La Marque Although separate communities, twin cities share heritage, business and living areas. Texas City was originally called Shoal Point; real growth began in 1891 when financiers from Minnesota purchased site for real estate, rail, and port development.■ La Marque was originally known as Highland; name changed in 1882 when post office was granted. It became a station on the International-Great Northern Railroad in 1896.■ Today the two cities between Houston and Galveston are both a pleasant residential area and site of major industrial and port facilities. Industries include tin smelter, oil refineries, metal fabrication and chemical plants. Port ships grain, cotton, sulfur, petroleum and chemical products. Location of College of the Mainland.■ Recreational opportunities include boating, fishing, swimming, sailing and picnicking; municipal golf course and all-weather municipal shooting range.■ Shoppers find bargains at the Lone Star Factory Outlet Stores on I-45 at Delany Rd. in La Marque.■ For a list of special events, dining opportunities, or additional information for both cities, visit the chamber of commerce office Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at 8419 Emmett F. Lowry Expwy., Suite 105, or call 409/935-1408 or 713/280-3917.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of Texas City-La Marque: Alvin * Baytown * Clear Lake Area * Deer Park * Galveston * La Porte * Pasadena
Victoria A newcomer to the Texas Zoo Scattered Anglo-American settlers lived in area when Don Martin de Leon founded townsite with 41 Spanish families in 1824. Named for Gen. Guadalupe Victoria, who became Mexico's first president. Historical markers and graves in Evergreen Cemetery (Red River and Vine Sts.) cite the de Leon family, prominent in early Texas colonization. Was one of the first three towns incorporated by the Republic of Texas. Today a major industrial and agricultural crossroads of South Texas; home of Victoria College and Univ. of Houston at Victoria.■ Cities within approximately 40 miles of Victoria: Cuero * Edna * Fannin * Goliad * Indianola * Port Lavaca * Refugio * Yoakum * Yorktown
West Columbia During Texas Revolution known simply as Columbia; town figured prominently in history of Texas. Was first capital of the Republic of Texas from Sept. - Dec. 1836. The first Congress convened under a triple-trunk live oak tree known as the Independence Tree. Sam Houston was inaugurated president, and Stephen F. Austin served as the first Secretary of State. A replica of the first capitol (reconstructed in 1977), is at 14th and Hamilton. City boasts some 20 historical markers. One marker honors the Bethel Presbyterian Church. Founded in 1840, it is third oldest Presbyterian church in Texas.■ City is a center for farming, livestock and oil. Area also known for white-tailed deer, water fowl, and upland game birds. Fishing available in nearby Brazos and San Bernard Rivers, and at Gulf beaches 23 miles southeast.■ Cities within approximately 30 miles of West Columbia: Angleton * Bay City * Brazosport * Clute * Freeport * Lake Jackson * Wharton
Wharton On Colorado River, established as Wharton County seat when county organized in 1846. Home of Wharton County Junior College and Gulf Coast Medical Center. Rice, corn, cotton and grain grown in the fertile farmland makes Wharton one of the major agriculture produces in the state. Veterans Memorial Monument in Monterey Square, downtown, bears the names of service personnel who died in combat in World Wars I & II, Korea, Vietnam and Lebanon.■ A soothing riverside park, Riverfront Park, overlooks the winding Colorado River with benches, picnic tables, and playground equipment. . 1 block west of courthouse■ Cities within approximately 40 miles of Wharton: Bay City * Brookshire * Columbus * Eagle Lake * El Campo * Richmond-Rosenberg * San Felipe * West Columbia
