Morgan's Point, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Morgan's Point, Texas
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City
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City Hall of Morgan's Point
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Location in Harris County and the state of Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Harris |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.23 sq mi (5.78 km2) |
| • Land | 1.53 sq mi (3.96 km2) |
| • Water | 0.70 sq mi (1.82 km2) |
| Elevation | 20 ft (6 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 273 |
| • Density | 122.4/sq mi (47.23/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
77571
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| Area code(s) | 713/281/346/832 |
| FIPS code | 48-49380 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1388192 |
Morgan's Point is a small city in Texas, United States. It's located about 30 miles southeast of Houston in Harris County, Texas. The city sits right on the edge of Galveston Bay, where the Houston Ship Channel begins. It's close to other towns like La Porte and Baytown.
In 2020, only 273 people lived in Morgan's Point. The city is part of the La Porte Independent School District. Morgan's Point is known for its history. It includes the "Carriage House," which is now the City Hall, and the old mansion of Governor Ross S. Sterling. Long ago, it was a famous resort spot for wealthy people. It's also linked to the legend of Emily D. West, sometimes called "The Yellow Rose of Texas."
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History
Morgan's Point has a long and interesting past. It played a small but important role in Texas history.
Early Days and the Texas Revolution
The area where Morgan's Point is today was first explored in 1822. A surveyor named Nicholas Rightor was sent by Stephen F. Austin to map the land. He later sold the property. In 1834, a man named James Morgan bought the land. He tried to start a new settlement called New Washington.
James Morgan helped the Texian army during the Texas Revolution. He was even given the rank of colonel. However, the Mexican army destroyed his settlement during the war.
A famous legend from this time involves a woman named Emily D. West. She was an indentured servant, which means she worked for someone for a set time to pay off a debt. The story says that Emily West used her charm to distract Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. This distraction supposedly helped the Texan army capture him, which ended the war. Historians still debate how much of this legend is true.
Growing as a Resort Community
Later in the 1800s, the Houston Ship Channel was dug nearby. This helped the area grow again. People started to cross the ship channel by ferry to get to and from places like Goose Creek (now Baytown). The Morgan Point Ferry ran for many years.
In 1901, the Texas oil boom began with the discovery of oil at Spindletop. This made Galveston Bay a popular summer spot for rich families from Houston. They bought land along Bayridge Road to build fancy summer homes. One of these was the famous Sterling Mansion, which belonged to a former governor.
During the 1920s and 1930s, the shoreline between Morgan's Point and Sylvan Beach became known as the "Texas Gold Coast." It was a fun playground for the wealthy.
Modern Times
As nearby cities like La Porte and Baytown grew, Morgan's Point became less popular as a summer getaway. The city was officially formed in 1949. Many of the old 19th-century buildings and early 20th-century homes are still there today.
In 1977, the Barbours Cut shipping terminal opened. This was a big boost for the local economy. The Port of Houston Authority built this terminal. To do so, they used a power called eminent domain. This means the government can buy private land for public use, even if the owner doesn't want to sell. Because of this, about one-third of the homes in Morgan's Point were bought out. Still, Barbours Cut quickly became a very important shipping center for the Houston area. It is now a key part of Morgan's Point's economy.
Geography
Morgan's Point is located in the southeastern part of Harris County, Texas. It is bordered by the city of La Porte to the north and west. To the southeast, it meets Galveston Bay. The city's boundaries even extend into Galveston Bay, reaching into Chambers County. It is about 27 miles east of the center of Houston.
The city covers a total area of about 2.23 square miles (5.78 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 1.53 square miles (3.96 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.70 square miles (1.82 square kilometers), is water.
Population Facts
Morgan's Point is a small community. Here's how its population has changed over the years:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1950 | 656 | — | |
| 1960 | 560 | −14.6% | |
| 1970 | 593 | 5.9% | |
| 1980 | 428 | −27.8% | |
| 1990 | 341 | −20.3% | |
| 2000 | 336 | −1.5% | |
| 2010 | 339 | 0.9% | |
| 2020 | 273 | −19.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 Census |
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In 2000, there were 336 people living in the city. There were 111 households, which are groups of people living together in one home. About 65% of these households were married couples. About 20% of households had children under 18 living with them.
The average age of people in Morgan's Point in 2000 was 38 years old. About 32% of the population was under 18. About 14% were 65 years or older.
Schools and Learning
Morgan's Point is part of the La Porte Independent School District. This means students living in Morgan's Point go to schools in the La Porte district.
Specifically, students attend:
- La Porte Elementary School
- La Porte Junior High School
- La Porte High School
After high school, residents can attend San Jacinto College. This college is also part of the La Porte ISD area.
Morgan's Point Pictorials
See also
In Spanish: Morgan's Point (Texas) para niños
