Galveston County is a thriving community located on the Gulf Coast of Texas. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population was 291,309. Its county seat is Galveston. League City is the largest city in Galveston County in terms of population.
Though the county was officially found in 1838 after the Texas Revolution, the area was originally populated by Karankawa Indians. One of the first major settlements in the area was the town of Campeche on Galveston Island, founded by the pirate Jean Lafitte. Lafitte created a prosperous pirate kingdom around the Galveston Bay until the United States Navy ousted him from the area.
The island and city of Galveston was by far the most important population center until the late 1900’s. The city of Galveston was the Texas republic's largest city at one time and its center of commerce and culture. When Texas joined the United States, Galveston's importance continued to grow as it came to dominate the worldwide cotton trade. As railroads between Galveston, Harrisburg, Houston and other towns were built during the 19th century small communities grew up along the rail lines. At the end of the 19th century a group of investors established Texas City directly across the West Bay from Galveston with the hope of making it a competing port city. The port began operations just before the turn of the century.
Investors had long worried that the Texas coast was a dangerous place to establish major commercial operations because of the threat of hurricanes, and the 1900 disaster seemed to prove that. Though Galveston rebuilt its port and other major operations quickly, major investment moved inland, largely to Houston. Soon Houston and Texas City had outpaced Galveston as major ports. The oil boom in Texas began in 1901 and soon pipelines and refineries were built in Texas City. Industrial growth blossomed, especially during World War II.
Galveston, traditionally an attractive tourist destination even before the storm, transformed itself into a major, nationally known destination. The county prospered as oil fueled Texas City's industrial growth and wealthy tourists flocked to Galveston and the other entertainment districts.
Home to UTMB, Galveston County has long been known for its thriving medical center, and medical school. The County is also home to companies such as American National Insurance Company, Moody National Bank and BP.
Real Estate in Galveston ranges from beach house to ranch lands, and from apartment complexes to master planned communities.
Shoreline Properties real estate agents are specialists in Galveston County real estate.
Call 281-942-9301 for more information today!
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