Shoreacres in La Porte in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

First City Hall and Jail

Photographed by Jim Evans, March 17, 2012

1. First City Hall and Jail Marker

Inscription. In its early days, La Porte had little need for a city hall or jail. City Council meetings were held in various vacant buildings around town and the few lawbreakers were placed either in an old abandoned ice house or locked in a convenient box car that might be at a railroad siding.

In 1907, a new city hall and calaboose were built. The building was to be 20 x 24 feet and would contain a meeting hall and two jail cells. The building served as city hall and jail from 1907 to 1931. In that year, the little wooden building was moved across the street where it now stands, and a new two-story city hall was built where it had been located.

The old wooden building served for many years as the American Legion Hall. It has served a variety of purposes and is now maintained by the City of La Porte and still serves as a general meeting venue for small groups. It is one of the few historical buildings left in La Porte.

Erected by City of La Porte.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location. 29° 39.893′ N, 95° 1.281′ W. Marker is in La Porte, Texas, in Harris County. It is in Shoreacres. It is on South 2nd Street south of West Main Street (Texas Highway

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146), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: La Porte TX 77571, 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,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Besson Building (within shouting distance of this marker); La Porte Hardware (within shouting distance of this marker); Artesian Hotel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The 1915 Fire (about 400 feet away); Seureau Building: The First Business in La Porte (about 500 feet away); Williams Building (about 500 feet away); Five Points - The Hub of the City (about 700 feet away); Historic La Porte Colored School (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Porte.

First City Hall and Jail and associated park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jim Evans, May 18, 2019

2. First City Hall and Jail and associated park

First City Hall and Calaboose of La Porte, Texas image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jim Evans, March 17, 2012

3. First City Hall and Calaboose of La Porte, Texas

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 17, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,304 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 17, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. 2. submitted on May 18, 2019, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. 3. submitted on March 17, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.