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Incorporated
by Houston in 1977, the Clear Lake Area has retained its own identity
partly because of its unique characteristics. The 30,000 acre plot of
land that contains the city was originally the home of Indians, and later
to a Houston millionaire, John Marion 'Silver Dollar' West. During the
Roaring '20s, West built a 17,000 square foot Italian Renaissance-style
mansion for $250,000, which still stands today on NASA Road One. Most
recently, it has served as home to the Lunar and Planetary Institute.
J. M. West reigned the area until 1938, when he sold approximately 35,000
acres to the Humble Oil and Refining Company. Two large oil fields were
discovered on 7,000 acres of land, leaving 23,000 acres for real estate
development. In the late 1950's, Humble, now known as Exxon, decided to
develop a 'new town' which is called Clear Lake City. It would comprise
of a 10,500 acre job-generating industrial area called Bayport Industrial
Complex, and a 10,000 acre master-planned residential community. In 1960
Humble gave 1000 acres to Rice Institute (now Rice University) who in
turn gave the land to NASA. Humble created Friendswood Development Co.
to manage the development of Clear Lake City.
The
Clear Lake Area now has a population of 54,000 and offers a friendly environment
to families that locate to this area from around the world. The per capita
income ranks in the upper 18 percent of the state. The population has
nearly doubled in the last 15 years. The schools, city services and public
facilities are second to none. The quality of life is rated among the
best in Texas.
CLEAR
LAKE SHORES A small lakefront community, it is known for its charming
shops and is home to the largest privately owned marina in the United
States.
EL
LAGO Called the 'City of the Astronauts' because so many astronauts
reside here. City officials have even erected a 'Space wall of Fame' with
photographs of the 36 El Lago astronauts who have flown in space. The
city, which incorporated in 1961, is located between Taylor Lake Village
and Seabrook.
Friendswood
In
the spring of 1895 two Quakers named Frank Jacob Brown and Thomas Hadley
Lewis came to this area of the Gulf Coast. What Brown and Lewis found
was 1,538 acres of prairie, well drained by creeks beautifully framed
with dense woods...[more]
KEMAH
Was home to pirate Jean Lafifte in the early 1800s. Because of its location
on Clear Creek at Galveston Bay, it has been called the 'Gateway to the
Bay'.
LEAGUE
CITY Founded in 1893 by John C. League, it is also known as the 'City
of Oaks' because of the giant oak trees shading Main Street. It was incorporated
in 1961, and is now one of the fastest growing cities in Texas...[more]
NASSAU
BAY Bordered on three sides by water, Clear Lake, Nassau Bay and Cow
Bayou, it is located across the street from the Johnson Space Center.
It was established in 1963, and incorporated in 1970.
SEABROOK
Between Galveston Bay and Clear Lake, wealthy families built weekend homes
along the bay in the early 1900s. In 1930, a bridge was built to replace
a hand-cranked ferry operating between Seabrook and Kemah. Seabrook was
incorporated in 1961.
TAYLOR
LAKE VILLAGE This residential community began as a country club development
in the late 1950s.
WEBSTER
Called 'Garden Town' in 1879 when James Webster established the community,
it is now known as the home of more excellent restaurants per square mile
than any other city in Texas
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