< Previous10 | The Daily News | Destination Galveston County | 2021 Friendswood was founded in 1895 by Quaker families who valued faith, family and education. During the 1960s, it grew from a population of 1,000 to more than 5,000, as Johnson Space Center employees chose Friendswood as their home. Aerospace and aviation continued to grow and since then, the workforce has diversified into medical, information technology, specialty chemical and maritime businesses. Friendswood is conveniently located between downtown Houston and Galveston and has developed into an area with fine homes, parks, churches, businesses, schools and volunteer organizations. Friendswood regularly ranks high on lists of “Best Places to Live in Texas” because of the low crime rate and cost of living, exceptional job opportunities and schools. The city provides recreation, educational and cultural activities for all ages, including the nation’s longest continuous annual Fourth of July Celebration, concerts and movies in the parks and sports programs. Population: 39,688* Area: 21.2 square miles Website: www.ci.friends wood.tx.us Quick Facts Our Cities: Friendswood STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News file photos Not to miss Friendswood Fourth of July celebration July 4, 2021 Stevenson and Centennial parks www.ci.friendswood.tx.us/july4th This daylong celebration kicks off with a parade featuring more than 100 entries followed by games, food and live entertainment in Stevenson Park. The party moves to Centennial Park in the evening with live entertainment and a fireworks display. *2019 population estimates, U.S. Census Bureau Parkwood Ave 45 528 35 Friendswood DrJulie Greenwell 281-622-1244 From big retail stores and restaurants, to small specialty shops and waterfront venues, there’s something for everyone in Clear Lake Shores. Celebrate sunsets or welcome the sunrise in the Yachting Capitol of Texas. www.clearlakeshores-tx.gov/visitcls CLEAR LAKE SHORES Visit 2021 | Destination Galveston County | The Daily News | 1112 | The Daily News | Destination Galveston County | 2021 The city of Galveston was chartered in 1839. In 1836, Michael Menard bought “one league and a labor of land” from the Republic of Texas. He helped organize the Galveston City Company in 1838. The city was a major immigration port for more than a quarter million Europeans. The mid-1870s to the mid-1890s was the apex of Galveston’s prosperity. The Strand area became the “Wall Street of the Southwest.” Fortunes were made in cotton, mercantile houses, banks, publishing and printing, flour and grain mills, railroads, land development and shipping. In 1891, the University of Texas Medical Branch was established. The boom period of the “Queen City of the Gulf” ended with the 1900 Storm, which killed at least 6,000 and left 8,000 homeless. To protect the city from future storms, the 16-foot-high, 17-foot-wide seawall was built. Galveston was primarily known as a wide-open port city where gambling and all sorts of amusements could be found. During World War II, the island had an air base where crews of B-17s received their final briefing before leaving for the Pacific. In the 1960s and 1970s, there were many innovations in Galveston. A council-manager form of government was adopted. The Texas Maritime Academy, Galveston College and the Marine Biomedical Institute were established. The first container terminal opened, Rosenberg Library expanded and the Galveston County Cultural Arts Council was founded. The principal economic support is provided by the Port of Galveston and related interests, UTMB and other health institutions, financial institutions, tourism, shrimping and fishing. Galveston on average sees 19,150 visitors daily and has 24,000 daily commuters working on the island. West Bay Gulf of Mexico 45 6 146 87 3005 Population: 50,241* Area: 264.66 square miles, including water. There are 47.26 square miles of land within the city limits. (This figure in- cludes both Pelican Island and Galveston Island, which is 32 miles long). Website: www.galveston tx.gov Quick Facts Our Cities: Galveston STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News file photo Did You Know? Galveston is home to many firsts for Texas, including the first telegraph, grocery store, medical college, national bank, gas lights, insurance company, opera house and golf course. *2019 population estimates, U.S. Census Bureau JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News file photoExperience Chair and Mat Yoga & Tai Chi discover OLLI’s Gardens play Mah Jongg & Poker explore Your Creativity study Healthy Nutrition & practice Meditation Visit our website: www.utmb.edu/olli OLLI offers exciting learning opportunities like: Birding and History and Ukulele Technology and Poetry Join OLLI today to make new Friends and have some Fun! Be Healthier, be Happier, be Here! Have so much FUN! Today is your day to join OLLI at UTMB Health! Please phone 409.763.5604 Membership is $25 for an academic year and most OLLI course tuition is only $35. Classes meet in Galveston at 1200 Market and on UTMB’s Campus in Angleton SWAP BOOKS OR JIGSAW PUZZLES IN OLLI’S LIBRARY Osher Lifelong Learning Institute - OLLI at UTBM Health - Call 409.763.5604 TODAY! College-level courses open to all those 55 and over 55 regardless of previous education.Hitchcock was settled in 1845. Located on state Highway 6 just south of Interstate 45, it is only 20 minutes to Galveston Island and 35 minutes to Houston. The city has many business opportunities with railway, water way and main road accessibility. Hitchcock is a friendly city and prides itself on hometown citizens and the ability for growth. Many of its citizens were born and raised here and have remained here raising their families and having their children continue to call Hitchcock their hometown and are proud to be raising their families where they grew up. The community was incorporated in 1960 with a city commissioner and strong mayor form of government, which it still has. Population: 7,800* Area: 71.44 square miles Website: www.cityof hitchcock.org Quick Facts Our Cities: Hitchcock The Daily News file photo Not to miss Galveston County Fair & Rodeo April 22-30, 2022 Jack Brooks Park, 5012 Jack Brooks Road www.galvestoncountyfair.com In addition to the livestock show and a full lineup of rodeo action, there are cook-offs, carnival rides and concerts, mutton bustin’ and a petting zoo. Good Ole Days Festival August 13-14, 2021 8300 state Highway 6 www.hitchcockchamber.com The Good Ole Days Festival is a family- friendly weekend of fun featuring a parade, talent show, beauty pageants, carnival, entertainment, kids booth with face painting and food and beverage booths. *2019 population estimates, U.S. Census Bureau West Bay 45 6 146 2004 14 | The Daily News | Destination Galveston County | 2021 JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News file photoIn 1956, Jamaica Beach was considered a weekend playground on the west end of Galveston Island. Jamaica Beach prospered during the booming economy of its early years to officially incorporate and become the city of Jamaica Beach in 1975. The city has evolved from being home to weekenders to having more full-time residents. Jamaica Beach has its own police and fire department, provides beach and bay access, and offers homes on the beach front, dry lots and canals. As the motto says, “Jamaica Beach is a great place to visit … an even better place to live.” Kemah is a small town nestled in a half- moon pocket on Galveston Bay. It was founded in 1898 by John Henry Kipp, a veteran of the Magnolia Rangers. Kemah is home to the Kemah Waterfront, Boardwalk, Lighthouse Shopping District, a marina complex, day-sailing and fishing expeditions, restaurants serving fresh seafood, overnight accommodations and retail shops. Gulf-related businesses and tourism helped Kemah grow into a town of 1,300 by 1922. A large shrimping fleet located in Kemah after the Clear Creek Channel opened in the 1950s. Kemah was formally incorporated in 1965. Population: 1,117* Area: 2 square miles Website: www.ci.jamaica beach.tx.us Quick Facts Our Cities: Jamaica Beach Population: 3,057* Area: 2 square miles Website: www.kemah- tx.gov Quick Facts Our Cities: Kemah STUART VILLANUEVA /The Daily News file photo Marina Bay Dr Galveston Bay 146 518 96 *2019 population estimates, U.S. Census Bureau *2019 population estimates, U.S. Census Bureau Termini-San Luis Pass Road West Bay 3005 COURTESY/ Landry’s Inc. 16 | The Daily News | Destination Galveston County | 2021For more information contact info@artistboat.org or call us at (409) 632-0388 13330 Settegast Road, Galveston, Texas 77554 Eco-Art Camps: Explore, Observe, Create Campers will experience true science and art enrichment with the creation of Eco-Art at the Coastal Heritage Preserve. Ages 5-15 years old. Camps are held for Spring Break, Summer Vacation, and Winter Break annually Bucket Brigade: Interpretive Beach Tours Explore the creatures and features that make Galveston beaches unique! There is more to the Sargassum and turbid water than many people think, and there is much more to be found on the beach than just sand. Tours are FREE for all ages! Tours are held Friday, Saturday & Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day annually Edward & Helen Oppenheimer Bird Observatory: Open 7 days a week year-round Visit a truly peaceful awe-inspiring place, and experience the last of the great wilds on Galveston Island Wildlife viewing platform and 1/2 mile trail 13102 Stewart Road, Galveston, TX 77554 Youth & Adult Adventures: Bring your classes, clubs, groups, and businesses to learn outdoors with us in an educational program or stewardship at the Coastal Heritage Preserve Voluntourism: • Join us as a group to help with restoration of the Coastal Heritage Preserve • Volunteer as a Co-Leader for educational programs • Volunteer for annual species counts Eco-Art Kayak Adventures: Awarded Best Guided Water Tour Paddle your cares away as you transform your mindset from everyday humdrum to Coastal Adventure with a tour led by artist and scientists. Ages 7 and older. Tours are held Saturdays & Sunday from March until December annually. artistboat.org/public-kayak-registration/ World Ocean Day: Art Competitions, Hands-On activities, Live Entertainment, Exhibitors, and More Get together with your family, friends, community, and the planet to start creating a better future. Working together, we can and will protect our shared ocean. Join this growing global celebration on June 8th annually! Register for the Marine Debris Art Contest and show off a treasure you created from marine trash All ages welcome for all activities!18 | The Daily News | Destination Galveston County | 2021 The city of La Marque is strategically situated in Galveston County about 15 miles from the southern city limit of Houston and 4 miles north of Galveston Island. Residents enjoy coastal living with the security of a hurricane protection levee system. The city of La Marque boasts easy access to world-class medical, travel and entertainment options. For business, La Marque offers developmental incentives, an abundance of commercial property and build-to-suit opportunities. In addition to Carbide Park, which is managed by Galveston County, La Marque residents enjoy eight city parks. The crown jewel of La Marque’s parks is the Mac McGaffey Highland Bayou Park. The 230-acre nature park is home to La Marque Bayou Fest, the city’s annual family festival, and a haven for canoeing, kayaking, crabbing, paddle boarding, saltwater fishing and family gatherings. Since 2010, La Marque has had the second-highest growth rate in Galveston County. La Marque will continue its steady residential growth as the neighborhoods of Painted Meadow, Saltgrass Crossing and Delany Cove add new homes. The charming historic homes on the east side of La Marque offer options for professionals, young families and seniors. La Marque is the Gateway to the Gulf. EF Lowry Expy 45 3 6 2004 146 25th Ave 197 Population: 16,627* Area: 14.3 square miles Website: www.cityof lamarque.org Quick Facts Our Cities: La Marque The Daily News file photos Not to miss La Marque Bayou Fest Oct. 16, 2021 Mac McGaffey Highland Bayou Park, 1991 Getty Road, La Marque facebook.com/LaMarqueBayouFest The annual Bayou Fest features a barbecue cook-off, live entertainment, arts and crafts, food, children’s fishing tournament, children’s activities, pumpkin patch and carving, car and truck show and fireworks display. *2019 population estimates, U.S. Census BureauContact me with all your Real Estate needs. Jim Rosenfeld BROKER ASSOCIATE Circle of Excellence Award Winner Hall of Fame Member Texas Monthly Magazine Five Star Realtor 2012-2021 Trulia and Zillow Five Star Rating Certified SIRVA Relocation Specialist 713.854.1303 Jim.Rosenfeld@sir.com “My exceptional Galveston team is marketing premier properties from the beaches to the bay — from historic treasures to high-rise condos!” WE ARE YOUR REALTOR ® ! EVIA | 9 Porch Street 4 BR | 3.5 BA | +/- 3,942 SF Offered at $974,880 MLS 811597 EVIA | 3 Broad Street 4 BR | 2.5 BA | +/- 2,024 SF Last list price $428,880 TIKI ISLAND | 1354 Oahu Drive 3-4 BR | 3.5 BA | +/- 3,001 SF Last list price $999,880 EVIA | 56 Island Passage Unparalleled “historic-inspired” garden home. Sprawling double gallery verandas. Mesmerizing Moody Gardens Golf Club vistas. Divine designer finishes. Superb epicurean kitchen. 3 BR | 2.5 BA | +/- 2,179 SF Offered at $429,480 MLS 89767568 EVIA Stellar new construction. Mesmerizing lake, golf course and West Bay vista sites. Gourmet island kitchens. Grand downstairs primary suites. Colossal screened porches. 1, 2 and 3 story plans. Priced from the $400’s GALVESTONIAN | 1401 East Beach Drive #400 Extraordinary beach front condo. Stunning ocean and harbor vistas from 5 expansive verandas. Exquisite finishes. Exceptional primary suite with dual baths. 4 BR | 4 BA | +/- 2,253 SF Offered at $874,880 MLS 98078394 Proudly marketing for over 15 years! SOLD SOLDSOLD SOLDSOLD SOLD BEACHTOWN | 2553 East Seaside Drive 4 BRS | 3.5 BA | +/- 3,540 SF Last list price $2,075,000 SILK STOCKING HISTORIC DIST. | 2327 Avenue K 5 BR | 3.5 BA | +/- 5,071 SF Last list price $898,880 DIAMOND BEACH | 10327 San Luis Pass Road, #711 4 BR | 3.5 BA | +/- 2,334 SF Offered at $924,880 MLS 20615075 SOLDNEW LISTINGSALE PENDING SOLD SOLDNext >