Port Bolivar in Galveston County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Port Bolivar

Photographed by Richard Denney, November 5, 2011

1. Port Bolivar Marker

While this marker indicates it was first erected in 1995, this one appears to be new and may be a replacement for one lost (either at this location or some other location) in Hurricane Ike in 2008 which devastated much of Bolivar peninsula.

Inscription. Surveyor Samuel D. Parr claimed a league of land extending 5 miles eastward from Point Bolivar and in 1838 became the area's first permanent settler. That year developers Archibald Wynn and William Lawrence purchased about 1000 acres of Parr's land and surveyed a townsite name Ismail (Ishmael). When the first post office was established in 1876 the community's name became Gabion. The community was renamed Port Bolivar in 1893.

In 1896 developers L.P. Featherstone and Fox Winnie constructed a railroad line connection Point Bolivar to Galveston and Beaumont. Featherstone was instrumental in dredging a channel and building a wharf, where the first cargo ship landed in 1909. The town prospered and by 1911 contained a schoolhouse and a Methodist church. Business activity at the wharf continued to expand and Port Bolivar's economy surged.

Shipping worldwide slowed at the outset of World War I and use of the wharf declined. In 1915 the town and wharf were severely damaged by a storm and many facilities were never rebuilt. The community turned to commercial fishing

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and tourism to successfully revitalize its economy. Regular ferry service to the mainland, which began in 1930, continues today.

Erected 1995 by Texas Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 29° 24.908′ N, 94° 42.65′ W. Marker is in Port Bolivar, Texas, in Galveston County. It is on State Highway 87. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Port Bolivar TX 77650, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Houston Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Port Bolivar Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); Crenshaw Family Cemetery

Marker sits just outside the Port Bolivar cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney, November 5, 2011

2. Marker sits just outside the Port Bolivar cemetery

(approx. 1½ miles away); Bolivar Point (approx. 4.3 miles away); Jane Herbert Wilkinson Long (approx. 4.3 miles away); Fort Travis (approx. 4.4 miles away); Fort San Jacinto (approx. 6.1 miles away); SS Selma (approx. 6.8 miles away); Galveston: Gateway to Texas (approx. 6.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Bolivar.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Point Bolivar (was approx. 4.6 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Port Bolivar Cemetery marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney, November 5, 2011

3. Port Bolivar Cemetery marker

This marker describing the Port Bolivar cemetery is located just inside cemetery outside of which the Port Bolivar marker is located.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2011, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 984 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 6, 2011, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.