Texas City, Texas
USA
Geographic Coordinates: 29.415400, -94.968200
Temperature Range: 5.0°C to 35.0°C (41°F to 95°F)
Climate: Texas City has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The city experiences high humidity levels throughout the year, with frequent thunderstorms in the summer months. Winter temperatures typically range from the mid-40s to low 60s Fahrenheit, while summer temperatures can reach into the mid-90s.
Population: 122017
Language: English
Texas City is a prosperous city located in Galveston County, Texas, United States. It is positioned on the northwest coast of Galveston Bay and is just 10 miles north of Galveston Island. The city has a population of around 47, 000 people and covers an area of approximately 64 square miles. The history of Texas City dates back to the early 1900s when it was established as a deep-water port for the Gulf Coast region. Due to its strategic location and access to railroads and highways, It quickly became a major industrial hub.
Today, Texas City remains an important center for petrochemical production with several refineries operating in the area. Despite its industrial roots, Texas City has much to offer visitors and residents alike. The city boasts several parks and recreational areas including Nessler Park which features a swimming pool, Tennis courts, Playgrounds, Picnic areas, Walking trails, And more. The Moses Lake Wetland Preserve is also worth visiting as it offers opportunities for birdwatching and hiking. For those interested in history or culture, There are plenty of options available in Texas City.
The Texas City Museum showcases exhibits on local history including artifacts from the town’s founding days as well as exhibits on World War II-era shipbuilding efforts that took place at nearby Todd Shipyard. In addition to its many attractions, Texas City also hosts numerous events throughout the year including festivals like Mardi Gras! Galveston which takes place every February or March depending on when Easter falls that year.
Texas City’s economy continues to thrive thanks in large part to its proximity to other major cities like Houston which provides access to additional job opportunities for residents who choose not work within one of the many petrochemical plants located within city limits. Overall, Texas City offers something for everyone whether you’re interested in outdoor recreation or cultural experiences – making it an excellent destination for anyone looking for a unique experience while exploring the Gulf Coast region.
Important Landmarks
- Texas City Dike: A well-known fishing spot that stretches five miles into Galveston Bay.
- The Museum of the Gulf Coast: A museum that showcases exhibits on the history and culture of the Gulf Coast region.
- Bay Street Park: A park that features a playground, picnic areas, and walking trails.
- Godard Park: A park with baseball fields, basketball courts, and a playground.
- The Texas City Prairie Preserve: A nature preserve that offers hiking trails and birdwatching opportunities.
- The Moore Memorial Public Library: A public library with books, movies, music, and other resources for all ages.
- College of the Mainland Art Gallery: An art gallery displaying works by local artists as well as visiting exhibits from around the world.
- Mall of Mainland: A shopping mall with various stores to shop from.
- Texas City Museum: This museum is dedicated to preserving history about people who have lived or worked in Texas City.
- Rainforest Pyramid at Moody Gardens: Located near Texas City, it has an aquarium, rainforest pyramid, 3D theatre, etc.
Primary Industries
- Petrochemicals: Texas City is home to several petrochemical plants that produce chemicals used in various industries, such as plastics, healthcare, and agriculture.
- Oil Refining: The city has two oil refineries that process crude oil into gasoline, diesel fuel, and other petroleum products.
- Manufacturing: Texas City has a diverse manufacturing sector that includes companies producing steel products, electronic components, and industrial machinery.
- Healthcare: The city has several hospitals and medical centers that provide healthcare services to the surrounding communities.
- Retail: There are numerous retail stores and shopping centers in Texas City offering a variety of goods and services to residents.
- Tourism: The city’s location near the Gulf of Mexico coast makes it an attractive destination for tourists interested in outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and beachcombing.
- Agriculture: The surrounding area is known for its agricultural production including crops like cotton, rice, soybeans among others.
- Transportation & Logistics: Due to its strategic location on the Gulf Coast, Texas City serves as an important hub for transportation & logistics with several ports, railroads & highways connecting it with other regions across USA.
Noteable History
- The Texas City Disaster occurred on April 16, 1947, resulting in over 500 deaths and thousands of injuries.
- In September 1900, a hurricane struck Galveston Island and caused significant damage to nearby Texas City.
- Sam Houston, the first president of the Republic of Texas, lived in what is now known as Texas City for a period of time.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower served as the commander at Camp Wallace during World War II when it was located near what is now known as Texas City.
- Jean Lafitte, a notorious pirate who operated along the Gulf Coast during the early 19th century, was rumored to have hidden treasure near what is now known as Moses Lake in Texas City.
- Jesse H. Jones played a significant role in rebuilding Galveston after the devastating hurricane of 1900 and helped develop industries in nearby Texas City.
- Clint Black once worked at one of the refineries located within city limits of Texas City before becoming a country music singer-songwriter.
- James Baker III grew up on his family’s ranch near what is now known as Moses Lake within city limits before becoming Secretary of State under President George H.W Bush.
- Robert Rauschenberg lived here from childhood until he left for college and was an American painter and graphic artist whose early works anticipated Pop art movement.
- Buddy Holly, an American musician and singer-songwriter born here on September 7th ,1936 became famous for his rock-and-roll music career before his untimely death at age 22 in a plane crash alongside fellow musicians Ritchie Valens and J.P The Big Bopper Richardson Jr.
Museums and Things To See
- Texas City Museum features exhibits on the history of Texas City and its industries.
- Moore Memorial Public Library is a historic library with free exhibits and events.
- Bay Street Park is a scenic park with a playground, picnic area, and fishing pier.
- Texas City Dike is a popular fishing spot with stunning views of Galveston Bay.
- The 1947 Texas City Disaster Memorial Monument memorializes the deadliest industrial accident in U.S. history.
- The Showboat Pavilion is an iconic local landmark that hosts concerts, festivals, and other events throughout the year.
- College of the Mainland Art Gallery showcases works by local artists as well as student artwork from the college’s art program.
- Galveston Island State Park is a beautiful state park located just outside of Texas City offering hiking trails, camping sites, and beach access.
- Galveston Railroad Museum is a museum dedicated to preserving railroad history through interactive exhibits and restored trains.
- Space Center Houston located just a short drive from Texas City in Houston offers visitors an immersive experience into space exploration including tours of NASA’s Johnson Space Center and astronaut training simulations.
Sports Teams
- Texas City High School Stingarees – The school’s athletic program has had a long history of success in football, basketball, baseball, track and field.
- Galveston County Fairgrounds Speedway – A popular dirt track racing venue located in Texas City that hosted races from the 1950s to the 1980s.
- Gulf Greyhound Park – A former dog racing track that operated from 1992 to 2015 and was one of the largest greyhound tracks in the United States.
- Texas City Dike Fishing Tournament – An annual fishing tournament held on the Texas City Dike since 1930 that attracts anglers from all over the country.
- Gulf Coast Spartans FC – A semi-professional soccer team based in Texas City that competes in various leagues across North America.
- College of the Mainland Fighting Ducks – The college’s athletic program fields teams for basketball, volleyball, softball and baseball among others.
Cultural Events
- Texas City Music Festival
- Texas City Art Festival
- Galveston County Fair and Rodeo
- Lone Star Rally
- Texas City Heritage Festival
- Gulf Coast Cajun Festival
- Dickens on the Strand in nearby Galveston
- Mardi Gras! Galveston celebration in nearby Galveston
Cuisine
- Barbecue – Some popular barbecue joints include Leon’s World’s Finest In & Out BBQ, Dickie’s BBQ Pit, and Texas Pit Stop BBQ.
- Tex-Mex – Some famous Tex-Mex restaurants are El Toro Mexican Restaurant, Taqueria El Jalisco, and La Playa Mexican Cafe.
- Seafood – Some of the best seafood restaurants in Texas City are Topwater Grill, Pier 21 Seafood Restaurant, and Noah’s Ark Bar & Grill.
- Southern comfort food – Some famous southern comfort food places include The Original Rib Tickler, Gus’ Restaurant & Lounge, and Kelley’s Country Cookin’.
- Burgers – For some delicious burgers head to Burger Nation or Jack In The Box.
- Pizza- For some mouth-watering pizza try out Pizza Hut or Dominoes Pizza.
- Breakfast- If you’re looking for breakfast options then try out Waffle House or IHOP for some delicious pancakes and waffles!
- Bay Street Park – This park features a playground, picnic tables, and a basketball court.
- Nessler Park – This park offers a swimming pool, tennis courts, baseball fields, and picnic areas.
- Texas City Dike – A popular fishing spot with stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico.
- Lago Mar Resort & Club – A resort that boasts golf courses as well as outdoor activities like kayaking and paddleboarding.
- Texas City Prairie Preserve – A nature preserve that showcases hiking trails through wetlands and prairies.
- Galveston Island State Park – Located nearby in Galveston, this state park provides camping opportunities along with hiking trails, fishing piers, bird watching opportunities and more.
- Moses Lake Park- Situated near the Moses Lake Canal which is used for recreational boating by locals
- Walter Hall Park- The 75-acre park features various amenities including playgrounds for kids to enjoy
- Carver Community Center- The center provides various activities such as basketball courts, swimming pool etc
- Texas City Dog Park – A dog-friendly public space that provides ample space for your furry friends to run around off-leash