Wallisville, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wallisville, Texas
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 Wallisville, Texas
Location in Texas
Wallisville, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Chambers |
| Elevation | 7 ft (2 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 409 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1379227 |
Wallisville is a small, unincorporated town in Chambers County, Texas, United States. It's part of the larger Greater Houston area. In 2000, about 460 people lived here. Even though it's not a city, Wallisville has its own post office.
Contents
History of Wallisville
Wallisville was once a very important place. It was the main town, or county seat, for Chambers County from 1858 to 1908. The town is named after Elisha Henry Roberts Wallis, one of the first people to settle here.
Early Days and Famous Visitors
In 1836, a famous Mexican leader, Antonio López de Santa Anna, was held prisoner in the Wallis family's home. This happened while he was being taken to Washington, D.C. In 1854, Elisha Wallis's sons, Solomon B. and Daniel B. Wallis, divided the town into 18 blocks. A post office opened in 1857. The next year, Wallisville became the new county seat instead of Anahuac.
River Trade and Industries
Wallisville was a busy steamboat landing on the Trinity River. This made it a center for lumber and shipbuilding. These two businesses were very important to the town's economy. The first sawmill, Union Mills, was started by Robert Kilgore. By the 1880s, many mills were working. The largest sawmill, C. R. Cummings Lumber Company, moved to Wallisville in 1899.
Shipbuilding was also a strong industry. As early as 1855, McLelland and Dunman built sailboats and steamboats. Later, C. R. Cummings built another shipyard in 1901. The last shipbuilding project was in the early 1940s. Dunman Marine Services built the first steel boat on the lower Trinity River.
Community Life and Changes
In 1875, a fire destroyed Wallisville's courthouse. A new brick courthouse was built in 1886. A special jail and hanging tower were added in 1895. In 1895, a group called the Ladies' Aid Society helped build a Methodist church. Before this, different churches shared meeting places.
Wallisville also had the first newspaper in Chambers County, called The Age, which started in 1897. Many other businesses also thrived. These included general stores, a saddle shop, a cotton gin, and even an ice cream parlor. There were also doctors and lawyers in town.
Hurricanes and the County Seat Move
Wallisville faced tough times. The town was badly damaged by the 1875 Indianola hurricane. It was almost completely destroyed by the 1915 hurricane.
In 1906, people in Anahuac wanted the county seat moved there. Voters agreed, and in 1908, the county records moved to Anahuac.
The Wallisville Reservoir Project
In 1952, work began on a large water project, a saltwater barrier or reservoir near Wallisville. In 1966, the project officially started. The government bought the town's land for this. However, in 1974, a judge stopped the project because of worries about the environment. After many changes were made to the plan, the project continued in 1987. Environmental groups still had concerns.
Spanish Settlement
Long before Wallisville, a Spanish military settlement called "El Orcoquisac" was here. It included a fort, Presidio San Augustín de Ahumada, and a mission, Mission Nuestra Señora de la Luz. This was built in 1756 near the Trinity River.
Geography
Wallisville is located on Interstate 10. It is on the east side of the Trinity River. The town is about 42 kilometers (26 miles) west of Beaumont. It is also 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Baytown. Lake Charlotte is only three miles away.
Climate
Wallisville has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, humid summers. Winters are generally mild to cool. On January 24, 2023, a small tornado, called an Ef0, hit the community. It crossed Interstate 10 and damaged some trees.
Education
Wallisville had a school as early as 1869. This building was also used for church services by different groups. Today, students in Wallisville attend schools in the Anahuac Independent School District.
Wallisville Heritage Park
In 1979, a group of local residents started the Wallisville Heritage Park. This is a private, nonprofit organization. Their goal is to save and study the original Wallisville townsite. They also work to preserve the El Orcoquisac Archeological District. Both of these sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Chambers County Museum is also located in Wallisville.
Notable People
- Hugh Jackson: He was a member of the Texas House of Representatives.
- Mayes Middleton: A politician and businessman who was born in Wallisville.
