One of over 200 historical markers on the island, this marker highlights the establishment of communities within Galveston County. The marker was erected in 1966 by the Texas Historical Commission.
Inscribed
“Communities of Galveston County were established as follows:”
“Algoa was named following the 1900 storm for a British Tanker which ran aground there.”
“Alta Loma was given the Spanish Name, “High Ground,” by a development company in 1893.”
“Arcadia was named in 1886 after a city in Louisiana.”
“Dickinson was founded in 1824 when John Dickinson purchased land from the Mexican Government. Stephen F. Austin and James F. Perry acquired leagues in April 1833.”
“Friendswood was settled in 1895 by a colony of Quakers. They pioneered the county’s fig industry and erected homes with characteristic gables.”
“High Island on Bolivar Peninsula, is located on a salt dome and was named for its elevation of 47 feet.”
“Nearby Gilchrist, founded in 1915, was named for Gibb Gilchrist, later President of Texas A & M.”
“Hitchcock was settled in the 1840’s. In 1848 Jonas Butler acquired a league of land on Hitchcock Bayou. Frenchmen later settled on the bayou and the community was named after Lent M. Hitchcock.”
“Kemah was named “Evergreen” about 1898, but in 1910 it was changed to Kemah, an Indian word meaning “facing the winds.””
“La Marque was first known as “Highland” and during the Civil War it was Known as “Buttermilk Station,” as soldiers stopped there to by buttermilk. The name was changed to La Marque in 1882.”
“League City was settled in the early 1800’s by the Karankawa Indians. It was named after J.C. League by the first permanent citizens who came there by ox wagon from Louisiana in 1873.”
“Bolivar was named by Warren D.C. Hall, a member of the Gutierrez-Magee Expedition in honor of Simon Bolivar, the liberator of South America.”
“San Leon was first known as Edwards Point & later N. Galveston. It took its present name in 1915.”
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