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Bacliff, Texas

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Bayshorebabydoll (talk | contribs) at 03:47, 17 April 2013 (~~~~Reworked History section with information taken Texas State Historical Association and Galveston County museum, began updating outdated census information, removed non factual content). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Bacliff, Texas
CDP
Location of Bacliff, Texas
Location of Bacliff, Texas
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyGalveston
Area
 • Total2.7 sq mi (7.0 km2)
 • Land2.5 sq mi (6.6 km2)
 • Water0.2 sq mi (0.4 km2)
Elevation
16 ft (5 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total8,619
 • Density3,200/sq mi (1,200/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
77518
Area code281
FIPS code48-05180Template:GR
GNIS feature ID1329909Template:GR

Bacliff is a census-designated place (CDP) in north-central Galveston County, Texas, United States, 16 miles (26 km) northwest of Galveston.[1] The population was 8,619 at the 2010 census.[2] Bacliff, originally called Clifton-by-the-Sea, began as a seaside resort town. The community, along with Bayview and San Leon is known as part of the Bayshore These communities remain unincorporated , despite several incorporation attempts. The Bacliff CDP is home to the Kenneth E. Little Elementary school and Bayshore Park, which was created from land donated by Houston Lighting and Power.

History

Further information: History of the Galveston Bay Area

Bacliff was established in 1910 by local landowners G.C. Perkins and W.Y. Fuqua as Clifton-by-the Sea. The area was developed as a seaside resort and included parks, hotels, summer homes, and a bathhouse and open air pavilion built on a pier over the water. Telephone service came to Clifton-by-the-Sea in 1913, and Grand Avenue was the main street.[3]

The hurricane of 1915 destroyed many of the improvements to the area, but by 1924 the bathhouse and pavilion had been restored and summer residents returned to the community. A fire destroyed the pavilion in 1929 and it was rebuilt and hosted numerous summer concerts hosted by both the Galveston and Houston orchestras. The hurricane of 1943 caused major damage to the area and the bathhouse and pavilion were not rebuilt.[4]

In 1933, Clifton-by-the-Sea was home to 50 residents and 2 businesses, and from 1940-1949 it was home to 100 residents and 4 businesses. [5] After World War II the area expanded as it became home for workers of the nearby petrochemical plants. The expansion of the area required the establishment of a post office in 1948. The U.S. Postal Service refused to allow the name Clifton-by-the-Sea to be used due to its length, so the residents chose the same name as the subdivision at the center of business, Bay Cliff, as a replacement for Clifton-by-the-Sea. However, the name was misspelled on the postal paperwork as Bacliff. [6]

Around the 1980s, three measures to incorporate the Bacliff area failed by wide margins.[7][8] In April 1985, residents of Bacliff, Bayview, and San Leon considered an incorporation proposal to become the City of Bayshore. Judge Ray Holbrook signed an order for the election to take place on April 6, 1985, freeing the area, which had a population of 11,000, from the extraterritorial jurisdiction of League City and Texas City.[9] Residents rejected the incorporation proposal.[10][11] The vote was tallied with 1,268 against and 399 in favor. Proponents wanted a local police force and the ability to pass ordinances. Opponents said that the tax base was too small to support municipal services including police and road and drainage improvements.[11]

In 1986, residents in Bacliff and Bayview considered incorporating into a general law city. Supporters said that incorporation would establish more local control over affairs, an area police department, and the ability to pass ordinances. Opponents said that the area's tax base could not sufficiently support municipal service, including police protection and road and drainage improvements. At the time the area of 3.6 square miles (9.3 km2) considering incorporation had 7,000 people.[7][8] Galveston County Judge Ray Holbrook signed an order setting the date of the election as Saturday, August 9, 1986 and releasing the area from the extraterritorial jurisdiction of Kemah, League City, and Texas City. In 1986, the Bacliff and Bayview area received water and sewer services from two municipal utility districts; if the incorporation measure had passed the districts would have likely remained. Donna Maples, vice president of the Bacliff-Bayview Community Association, supported the incorporation measure.[10] The officials overseeing the election described turnout as "heavy." Officials announced that the incorporation proposal failed on a 770 to 163 count.[7][8]

By 1986, the community became a bedroom community for workers commuting to jobs in the area; during that year the Bacliff community had 4,851 residents and 19 businesses.[1]

After Hurricane Ike hit Texas in September 2008, Galveston County officials offered a debris removal program to residents in unincorporated areas, including Bacliff.[12][13] Flooding from hurricane Ike was minimized due in part to Bacliff's relatively high elevation of 16 feet.

Geography and climate

Map of the Bacliff CDP

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.7 square miles (7.0 km2), of which 2.5 square miles (6.6 km2) is land and 0.15 square miles (0.4 km2), or 5.85%, is water.[14]


Climate data for Bacliff
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 62
(17) 		66
(19) 		72
(22) 		77
(25) 		84
(29) 		89
(32) 		91
(33) 		92
(33) 		88
(31) 		81
(27) 		72
(22) 		65
(18) 		78
(26)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 43
(6) 		46
(8) 		53
(12) 		60
(16) 		67
(19) 		73
(23) 		74
(23) 		74
(23) 		70
(21) 		60
(16) 		52
(11) 		45
(7) 		60
(15)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 4.76
(121) 		2.91
(74) 		3.11
(79) 		3.22
(82) 		4.92
(125) 		5.35
(136) 		4.78
(121) 		3.84
(98) 		7.12
(181) 		3.93
(100) 		4.43
(113) 		3.36
(85) 		51.73
(1,315)
Source: Weather.com[15]

Demographics

The population of Bacliff as of the 2010 census was 8,619, which represented a growth of approximately 23.8% since the 2000 census. The median home price in 2010 was $93,885. [16]. The median household income was $39,511. 21% of the population lives below the poverty level. [17]

Crime

Violent crime, on a scale from 1 (low crime) to 10, is 4. Violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The US average is 4. Property crime, on a scale from 1 (low) to 10, is 4. Property crime includes the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims. The US average is 4. [18]


Infrastructure

Utilities

Two municipal utility districts serve the Bacliff CDP. Some sections of the Bacliff CDP are served by the Bacliff Municipal Utility District (MUD), while other sections are served by the Bayview MUD.[19] In November 2011 the Bacliff MUD requested and received a 8.95 million dollar bond issue for the expansion of water services which are currently provided to about 2,700 water taps. This bond issue will be funded by Bacliff residents through increased property taxes.[20] The Bacliff Volunteer Fire Department provides fire protection services.[21]

As of May 2012 Bacliff resident James Wistinghausen was the General Manager of the Bacliff MUD [22][23] and the Fire Chief for the Bacliff Volunteer Fire Department.[24]

County, state, and federal representation

The community is within Galveston County Precinct 1.[25] As of 2013, Ryan Dennard is the commissioner of the precinct.[26] The Galveston County Sheriff's Office Precinct 7 serves Bacliff. [27] In November 2012, Rick Sharp was elected constable of precinct 7 replacing Pam Matranga.[28]

Bacliff is located in District 23 of the Texas House of Representatives. As of 2011, Craig Eiland represents the district.[29] Bacliff is within District 11 of the Texas Senate; as of 2013 Larry Taylor represents that district.[30] In 1992, Bacliff was within District 24 of the Texas House of Representatives; after statewide legislative redistricting District 24 became District 23 in 1993 with its boundary changing by several city blocks.[31]

Bacliff is in Texas's 14th Congressional district. As of 2011, Ron Paul represents the district.[32] The United States Postal Service Bacliff Post Office is located at 415 Grand Avenue in the CDP in unincorporated Galveston County.[33]

In 1994 Republican Party strength grew in Bacliff.[34]

Education

Some of the areas within the Bacliff CDP fall under the boundary of Dickinson Independent School District (DISD), while northern areas are zoned to Clear Creek Independent School District (CCISD). The CCISD part of the community north of Bay Avenue is within the Board of Trustee District 5,[35] represented by Dee Scott as of 2008.[36]

The DISD portion is zoned to Kenneth E. Little Elementary School in the Bacliff community in unincorporated Galveston County,[37][38] Barber Middle School in Dickinson,[39] McAdams Junior High School in Dickinson, and Dickinson High School in Dickinson.[40] CCISD pupils are zoned to Stewart Elementary School (formerly Kemah Elementary School) in unincorporated Galveston County,[41] League City Intermediate School in League City,[42] and Clear Creek High School in League City.[43]

Residents are zoned to the College of the Mainland, a community college in Texas City.[44]

Parks and recreation

The Galveston County Department of Parks and Senior Services operates several recreational facilities in Bacliff. The Bacliff Community Center is at 4503 11th Street.[45] The 28-acre (110,000 m2) Bayshore Park at 5437 East Farm to Market Road 646 (FM 646) has five baseball fields, one boat ramp, one historic site, ten picnic areas, one pier, one playground, and five practice backstops.[46] The Bacliff Boat Ramp is along FM 646,[47] while the Bayshore Boat Ramp is along Farm to Market Road 517 (FM 517).[48] In March 2012 the Galveston County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to approve a $25,000 earnest money contract associated with the purchase of approximately 64.06 acres of vacant land in Bacliff for $1.285 million for a new County park.[49]

References

  1. ^ a b Bacliff, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online
  2. ^ "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Bacliff CDP, Texas". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  3. ^ http://www.co.galveston.tx.us/Museum/bacliff_history.asp
  4. ^ http://www.texasescapes.com/TexasGulfCoastTowns/Bacliff-Texas.
  5. ^ http:://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hjbure
  6. ^ /http://www.co.galveston.tx.us/Museum/bacliff_history.asp
  7. ^ a b c "Baycliff kills incorporation, Jersey Village votes home rule." [sic] Houston Chronicle. Monday, August 11, 1986. Section 1, Page 9.
  8. ^ a b c "2 area communities to vote on incorporation." Houston Chronicle. Tuesday, August 5, 1986. Section 3, Page 10.
  9. ^ "Residents of 3 Galveston County areas will vote on incorporation." Houston Chronicle. Tuesday March 19, 1985. Section 1, Page 13.
  10. ^ a b "Election for incorporation called in Bacliff, Bayview." Houston Chronicle. Sunday July 6, 1986. Section 3, Page 5.
  11. ^ a b "Results of municipal elections in Southeast Texas." Houston Chronicle. Monday April 8, 1985. Section 1, Page 10.
  12. ^ Aulds, T. J. "Plan offers help with residential Ike debris." Galveston County Daily News. November 20, 2008.
  13. ^ Aulds, T. J. "State begins to pick up debris." Galveston County Daily News. December 8, 2008.
  14. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Bacliff CDP, Texas". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  15. ^ "Monthly Averages for Bacliff, TX (English)". Retrieved December 8, 2008.
  16. ^ http://www.house.com/census_2010/Real_Estate_Census_s_Texas_co_Galveston_ci_Bacliff.
  17. ^ http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48/4805180.html
  18. ^ http://www.bestplaces.net/crime/city/texas/bacliff
  19. ^ "Texas Property 2002 Appraisal District Directory: Galveston County." Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Retrieved on December 9, 2008.
  20. ^ http://www.americantowns.com/tx/bacliff/news/9-million-bacliff-mud-bond-elections-7246207
  21. ^ "Members." Galveston County Firefighters Association. Retrieved on December 8, 2008.
  22. ^ "Bacliff MUD Staff." Bacliff Municipal Utility District. Retrieved on May 8, 2012.
  23. ^ "TCEQ Report for Bacliff MUD." Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Retrieved on May 8, 2012.
  24. ^ "Bacliff VFD Staff." Bacliff Volunteer Fire Department. Retrieved on May 8, 2012.
  25. ^ "Galveston County Mainland Commissioners' Precincts." Galveston County, Texas. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.
  26. ^ "Commissioner Precinct 1." '
  27. ^ http://www.co.galveston.tx.us/default/Galveston%20County%20JP%20%20Constable%20Map.pdf
  28. ^ "Constable, Precinct No. 7." Galveston County Sheriff's Office. Retrieved on December 7, 2008.
  29. ^ "District 23 Representative." Texas House of Representatives. Retrieved on May 8, 2012.
  30. ^ "Senate District 11" Map. Senate of Texas. Retrieved on December 8, 2008.
  31. ^ Moran, Kevin. "Election '92: Suburban/Gray builds huge lead in bid for Hury's seat." Houston Chronicle. Wednesday November 4, 1992. A34.
  32. ^ "Congressional District 14." National Atlas of the United States. Retrieved on December 8, 2008.
  33. ^ "Post Office Location - BACLIFF." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
  34. ^ Moran, Kevin. "Republicans spring attack on Galveston." Houston Chronicle. Sunday February 27, 1994. C1.
  35. ^ District 5 Map. Clear Creek Independent School District. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
  36. ^ "School Board Members: Bios and Contact Information." Clear Creek Independent School District. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
  37. ^ "K. E. Little Elementary Attendance Zones." [sic] Dickinson Independent School District. Retrieved on December 8, 2008.
  38. ^ Moran, Kevin. "Volunteers search for gravesite of Sikes." Houston Chronicle. Sunday August 2, 1987. Section 2, Page 23.
  39. ^ Middle School Attendance Zones. Dickinson Independent School District. Retrieved on December 8, 2008.
  40. ^ Meyers, Rhiannon. "Changes awaiting students this year." Galveston County Daily News. August 24, 2008.
  41. ^ "Stewart Elementary School Boundary." This coming school year students may also be zoned to one of the two unnamed Elementary Schools opening. Clear Creek Independent School District. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
  42. ^ "League City Intermediate School Boundary." Students may also be zoned to Clear Creek Intermediate School which will be debuting Fall 2009. Clear Creek Independent School District. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
  43. ^ "Clear Creek High School Boundary." Clear Creek Independent School District. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
  44. ^ Texas Education Code, Section 130.174, "College of the Mainland District Service Area".
  45. ^ Bacliff Community Center." Galveston County Department of Parks and Senior Services. Retrieved on December 8, 2008.
  46. ^ Bayshore Park." Galveston County Department of Parks and Senior Services. Retrieved on December 8, 2008.
  47. ^ "Bacliff Park Boat Ramp." Galveston County Department of Parks and Senior Services. Retrieved on December 8, 2008.
  48. ^ "Bayshore Park Boat Ramp." Galveston County Department of Parks and Senior Services. Retrieved on December 8, 2008.
  49. ^ "New Bacliff Park." Guidry News. March 6, 2102.
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