Port Bolivar, Texas facts for kids
Port Bolivar (pronounced BOL-i-ver) is a small community in Texas. It's not officially a town, but a part of the Bolivar Peninsula. This peninsula is a narrow strip of land that separates Galveston Bay from the Gulf of Mexico. Port Bolivar is located on the northern side of the western tip of the peninsula. It sits right across from Galveston Island, with the entrance to Galveston Bay between them.
The Bolivar Peninsula is part of Galveston County, Texas, and is also considered part of the larger Houston area. A big event in Port Bolivar's recent history was Hurricane Ike on September 13, 2008. The storm caused a lot of damage, and people worked hard to rebuild the area for many years after.
Since Port Bolivar isn't a separate town, its exact population isn't officially counted. However, estimates suggest that around 1,300 to 1,900 people live there. The community is also home to the old Bolivar Lighthouse, which used to guide ships safely into Galveston Bay.
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History of Port Bolivar
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The story of Port Bolivar goes back a long time. In 1819, a person named James Long used this area as a base for his activities.
Later, in 1838, the land was surveyed by Samuel D Parr. The Republic of Texas then granted the land to him, and it was first called Parrsville. Over time, the land was bought by different people. In 1893, a company bought the land and gave it the name Port Bolivar.
Fort Travis and Hurricanes
Fort Travis is a historic site near Port Bolivar. It's located on the southern shore of the Bolivar Peninsula. This fort began being built in 1898. It was an important military site and even had its own railroad line.
Port Bolivar has faced challenges from powerful storms. The 1915 Galveston hurricane caused a lot of damage to the community. Most of its port facilities were not rebuilt after that storm.
Railroad and Filming
Before World War II, a railroad called the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway ran all the way to Port Bolivar. It even offered a ferry service to Galveston for train cars. However, in 1942, the railroad tracks on the peninsula were removed to help with the war effort.
In 1968, a movie called My Sweet Charlie was filmed in Port Bolivar. It starred Patty Duke and Al Freeman Jr.. The film crew faced some difficulties during filming. The governor at the time, John Connally, stepped in to help make sure the filming could continue smoothly.
Getting Around
A special ferry service connects Port Bolivar to Galveston. The Texas Department of Transportation operates this ferry. It can carry large vehicles, including trucks and buses. The ferry was closed after Hurricane Ike but reopened on November 11, 2008, helping people travel between the peninsula and Galveston.
Schools and Learning
Children living in Port Bolivar attend schools that are part of the Galveston Independent School District.
Younger students, from Pre-K3 through 8th grade, go to Crenshaw Elementary and Middle School. This school is located on the Bolivar Peninsula. For high school, students attend Ball High School in Galveston. While parents can apply to any school in the district, only students living on the Bolivar Peninsula can get school bus service to Crenshaw K-8.
The original Crenshaw school building in Port Bolivar was damaged by Hurricane Ike. A new campus was built in Crystal Beach, about 10 miles east of Port Bolivar, and opened in 2005.
After high school, students from Port Bolivar can attend Galveston College, which is also in Galveston.
Parks and Fun
The Galveston County Department of Parks & Cultural Services manages several places for fun and recreation in the area. These include the Bolivar Community Center, located at 1802 Madison Avenue. They also operate the Fort Travis Seashore Park, which is at 900 State Highway 87, and the Pilsner Boat Ramp, which is great for boats.
Mail Service
The United States Postal Service has a Post Office in Port Bolivar at 2500 Broadway Avenue. Unlike many places, there is no home mail delivery on the Bolivar Peninsula. Instead, residents receive their mail through rural delivery or at post office boxes.
Places of Worship
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston has a church nearby called Our Lady By The Sea Chapel and Catholic Center in Crystal Beach. This church serves the entire Bolivar Peninsula. It is part of the Holy Family Parish, which also has churches on Galveston Island.
There used to be another Catholic church in Port Bolivar called Our Mother of Mercy Church, which was established around 1950. This church was important for many families in the area, hosting weddings and funerals for generations. It closed after Hurricane Ike in 2008.
