Crystal Beach, Texas
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Crystal Beach is an unincorporated area of Galveston County, Texas. Also known as Patton, Crystal Beach stretches 7 miles (10 km) along State Highway 87 in the middle of Bolivar Peninsula in Galveston County.[1]
It is located along 27 miles of beach on the Bolivar Peninsula. It is a popular destination thanks to its permitting of camping and fires, as well as its fishing opportunities. Some fish in the surf, while others take advantage of Rollover Fish Pass or the rocks of the North Jetty. The pass is named for the practice of ship captains from the days of Spanish rule through prohibition, who, to avoid the Galveston customs station, rolled barrels of import or export merchandise over that part of the peninsula.[2]
Crystal Beach is served by the Bolivar Chamber of Commerce, which is the official source for business, tourism and government information for the Bolivar Peninsula.
Crystal Beach and the entire Bolivar Peninsula suffered catastrophic damage from Hurricane Ike on September 12-13, 2008.[3] The majority of the area was damaged by a storm surge of over 12 feet,[4] added to the morning high tide, plus higher waves on top.
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[edit] History
Although the site of Crystal Beach was settled in the early 20th century, the only recorded activity was that in the community of Patton, one of several names adopted by area residents during its early years.[1] A Patton Beach post office operated from 1898 to 1900. Patton has been a railroad stop, until the railroad ceased operation in the early 1940s. Around that time, the name of the community was changed to "Crystal Beach" (the current name).[1]
The town was incorporated in 1971.[1] At least four efforts to disincorporate had been made in the mid-1980s, and a vote to disincorporate was finally successful in 1987. Afterward, opposing supporters of incorporation and those of disincorporation alternated control, with successful campaigns for votes and battles in court. The community was not incorporated during 1990.[1]
Although the 1990 population of full-time residents was recorded as 787, other estimates placed the figure up to 1,600.[1] Crystal Beach was the largest community on the peninsula, in both population and land area. Officials estimated that nearly 80% of Crystal Beach property owners were "weekenders," so the summer, weekend, and holiday population was larger. In 1990, Crystal Beach businesses included a bank, a hotel, and a supermarket, and most of the real-estate agencies on Bolivar Peninsula had their headquarters there.[1]
Of some fame and history is the Point Bolivar lighthouse, which was built in 1872. Its keeper reportedly saved the lives of 125 people during the Galveston Hurricane of 1900. Old Fort Travis, on the western end of the peninsula, has protected locals from several powerful hurricanes since its dismantling in 1949. The 1968 movie My Sweet Charlie was filmed at the Point Bolivar lighthouse.
Local "road to nowhere" Highway 87 used to run all the way through to Port Arthur, Texas and beyond.
[edit] Hurricane Ike
Crystal Beach and the entire Bolivar Peninsula suffered catastrophic damage from Hurricane Ike on the night of September 12-13, 2008.[3] The majority of the area was damaged by a storm surge of over 12 feet (4 m), during the high tide of 4:14 a.m., adding 1.5-2.3 ft more height to the storm tide, plus higher waves on top.
Most of the houses were vacation homes, and it had appeared that most of them sustained significant damage.[3] Nearly every house south of Ridgeway was completely destroyed.[3] Carl Griffith, an owner of an exotic game ranch and a former Galveston County sheriff and judge, said that he saw many newly-manufactured cars in the debris. Griffith believed that this indicated that many people were killed in the storm; Griffith explained that people would not likely leave newer cars alone and flee without them.[5]
For several days after the hurricane, a rumor swirled stating that a tiger roamed the streets after Ike hit, as the storm opened an exotic animal compound. Police found the tiger inside the compound and gave it a tranquilizer.[5]
[edit] Education
Crystal Beach residents are zoned to Galveston Independent School District schools.
Residents attend Crenshaw Elementary and Middle School for grades Kindergarten through 8. Residents attend Ball High School in Galveston.
Galveston College also serves Bolivar Peninsula.
[edit] Community information
The Galveston County Department of Parks and Senior Services operates the Joe Faggert Community Center at 1760 State Highway 87.[6]
[edit] See also
- Gilchrist, Texas - nearby settlement on the peninsula.
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g "Handbook of Texas Online" page for CRYSTAL BEACH, TX. Texas State Historical Association (2008-01-17). Retrieved on 2008-09-18.
- ^ Crystal Beach, Texas-Resort community on the Gulf of Mexico
- ^ a b c d Tim Heller, KTRK Chief Meteorologist (2008-09-15). "Ike's Aftermath from the Sky" section about Crystal Beach. KTRK TV abc13.com. Retrieved on 2008-09-18.
- ^ Tresaugue, Matthew. "Building may not be an option." Houston Chronicle. September 15, 2008.
- ^ a b Shannon, James. "A fantastic tale untold." The Examiner Online. Accessed September 22, 2008.
- ^ Facilities Overview." Galveston County Department of Parks and Senior Services.
[edit] References
- "Handbook of Texas Online" page for CRYSTAL BEACH, TX. Texas State Historical Association (2008-01-17). Retrieved on 2008-09-18.
[edit] External links
- http://www.crystalbeach.com
- Crystal Beach, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online
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