Old Ocean, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Old Ocean, Texas
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 Old Ocean, Texas
Location in Texas
Old Ocean, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Brazoria |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 150 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
77463
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Old Ocean is a small, unincorporated community in Brazoria County, Texas, United States. An unincorporated community means it's a place with a shared identity but no local government of its own. It's part of the larger Greater Houston area. In 2010, about 150 people lived there.
Contents
Where is Old Ocean Located?
Old Ocean is found where two roads meet: Farm to Market Road 524 and Texas State Highway 35. It's about 5 miles (8 km) northwest of Sweeny. You can also find it about 7 miles (11 km) west of West Columbia. The community is about 22 miles (35 km) west of Angleton.
A Look Back: The History of Old Ocean
Old Ocean has a long and interesting history. It started as a place called Chance's Prairie. This name came from a land grant given to Joseph H. Polley and Samuel Chance in 1824. A land grant is like a special permission from the government to own a large piece of land.
Early Settlers and Growth
William B. Sweeny, who helped start Chance's Prairie, bought a lot of land there. He arrived in the area in 1832. His family and many others settled on a large piece of land given by Charles Breen. After John Sweeny, Sr. passed away in 1854, his children owned even more land in the area. By 1880, the community had about 18 people.
The Oil Boom and a New Name
A big change happened in 1934 when James Abercrombie found oil nearby. This discovery led to the building of a special oil refinery. A refinery is a factory that turns crude oil into useful products like gasoline. This refinery made high-octane gas, which was very important during World War II. It closed near the end of the war.
The oilfield was named Old Ocean. Because of this important oilfield, the town eventually took on the name Old Ocean by 1936. A post office, which is where you send and receive mail, was opened in Old Ocean in 1945. It was located inside a commissary, which is a store where people could buy supplies.
Population Changes Over Time
In 1945, Old Ocean had about 800 people. Two years later, it had four businesses. The community continued to grow, reaching over a thousand residents and nine businesses by 1964. However, by 1972, the population dropped by 100 people, and it had only one less business. From the 1970s through 2000, the population was recorded as 915. In 1974, Old Ocean had two churches. The number of businesses changed over the years, with 19 in 1982, eight a decade later, and 21 in 2000.
Notable Early Residents
Many families helped build the community. Some of the early settlers included Mills M. Battle, M. Berry, Thomas H. Borden, and Charles Breen. Before the American Civil War, Sampson Brown was brought to the area. After he became a free man, he became a teacher and a preacher in other Texas counties. Prince Monroe also managed a large farm in the area for over 20 years.
Old Ocean Today
Today, not much of the original Old Ocean remains. The post office is still there, but the Baptist church and other old buildings have been taken down. The area is now being developed into an industrial facility. This means new factories and businesses are being built. To help with this, the main roads, State Highway 35 and FM 524, have been moved around the town site. Even though Old Ocean doesn't have its own city government, it still has its own post office with the ZIP Code 77463.
Learning in Old Ocean: Education
Education has always been a part of Old Ocean's story. Around 1906, there were four schools for Black students in the area. These schools had a total of 199 students and four teachers. By 1936, there was one main school serving the community. Today, students in Old Ocean attend schools that are part of the Sweeny Independent School District.
