Turtle Bayou, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Turtle Bayou, Texas
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 Turtle Bayou, Texas
Location in Texas
Turtle Bayou, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Chambers |
| Elevation | 30 ft (9 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 409 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2034881 |
Turtle Bayou is a small community in Chambers County, Texas, United States. It is not an officially organized town or city. In 2000, about 42 people lived there. Turtle Bayou is part of the larger Greater Houston area.
Contents
A Look Back: History of Turtle Bayou
Early Settlers and Farms
In 1827, a man named James Taylor White built his home near the Turtle Bayou stream. By the 1840s, several farms were growing along the stream. Five years later, an important document called the Turtle Bayou Resolutions was signed nearby.
Post Offices and New Towns
From 1847 to 1859, there was a post office in the area called John's Post Office. In 1848, someone tried to start a new settlement called New Boston. It was described as being "handsomely situated at the mouth of Turtle Bayou," but it didn't last long.
Growth and Shipping
In the 1850s, the Turtle Bayou area might have been as busy as Anahuac. The first ferry across Turtle Bayou helped move most of the goods to Anahuac. Old shipwrecks found nearby show that shipping was very important back then.
Oil and Sawmills
A new post office opened in Turtle Bayou in 1879. The number of people living there grew from 29 in 1880 to 127 in 1900. However, this growth slowed down, and the post office closed in 1914.
In 1935, oil was found in the Turtle Bay field. This led to a small camp for oil workers. More oil was discovered in 1952 in a small oilfield. In 1939, a sawmill owned by J. F. Simon opened, and about 100 people lived in Turtle Bayou. By 1970, the population had dropped to 42.
Turtle Bayou Today
In 1974, Turtle Bayou was a group of buildings near Farm Road 563 and the stream. Today, much of the old town is part of White's Park. This park is a popular place with a pavilion and an arena, managed by the county.
Key Events: Texas History
Turtle Bayou also played a small part in Texas history. During the Anahuac Disturbances, Texas troops were involved in a situation near Turtle Bayou. This led to the Battle of Velasco. Mexican officers and Texas leaders worked out an agreement. They decided to release prisoners in exchange for cavalry officers and for the Anglo (American) settlers to leave. People like Frank W. Johnson and Juan Davis Bradburn were part of these events.
Where is Turtle Bayou? Geography
Turtle Bayou is located in northern Chambers County, Texas. It sits on Farm to Market Road 563, right on the stream that shares its name. It is about 40 miles (64 km) southwest of Beaumont.
Learning in Turtle Bayou: Education
Students in the Turtle Bayou area attend schools operated by the Anahuac Independent School District.
