HUMBLE POP. 15,591
ALT. 96
MAP Q-21/PP-15
HUMBLE LAKE HOUSTON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 281/446-2128.
www.humble
areachamber.com.
East of Houston Intercontinental Airport, this town was named after founder, postmaster and Justice of the Peace P.S. Humble. In 1904, oil was discovered, and the town was a “boom town.” A local feed store owner, along with a few others founded Humble Oil & Refining Co. (now Exxon). It is the site of historic Lambrecht Town and Artesian Well. The McKay Medical Clinic is now a museum and contains
the original furniture and equipment just as it was the last day of operation. The museum is open by appointment. Call 281/446-2130.
HUMBLE MUSEUM—Features oil field equipment, farm- ing tools, home furnishings and clothing of early families, and historic photographs. 219 Main St. 281/446-2130.
www.humblemuseum.com.
LAKE HOUSTON—See HOUSTON.
MERCER ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDENS— This nationally recognized facility along Cypress Creek features the Gulf Coast’s largest display of native and culti- vated plants. Enjoy more than 20 different gardens, five miles of nature trails, a picnic area and playground. Check website for current hours. 22306 Aldine Westfield Road. 281/443-8731.
www.hcp4.net/mercer.
KATY POP. 14,643
ALT. 145 MAP Q-20
KATY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Ste. B206. 281/391-5289.
www.katychamber.com.
The city was named for the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad. William Eule introduced rice farming in 1901, and Katy is still renowned as a rice farming and rail center. Numerous parks provide recreational opportunities.
Shoppers find bargains at Katy Mills outlet mall and La Centerra at Cinco Ranch. Katy Prairie is excellent for hunting, birding and nature study. Annual events include the Katy Home & Garden Show
in January, FFA Rodeo in March, Folk Life Festival in April and the Katy Rice Harvest Festival in October.
BLESSINGTON FARMS—Enjoy fun farm activities like hayrides, giant slides, animal encounters, hay maze, pedal
cars, fishing, the fall pumpkin patch, picnic areas and more. 510 Chisolm Trail in Simonton. Located just west of Katy. 832/444-8717.
www.BlessingtonFarms.com.
BREWERY—No Label Brewing Co. See BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES listing.
HERITAGE PARK—Restored historic buildings include the Wright House, Featherstone House, Stockdick House, Old Katy Post Office, Humble Gas Plant Mess Hall and Tradition Bank Bandstand. Donations accepted. 5990 George Bush Drive. 281/391-2550.
KATY HERITAGE MUSEUM—Vintage farming equipment and artifacts from Katy’s agricultural and pioneering history are on display. Free. 6002 George Bush Drive. 281/391-4884.
KATY RAILROAD PARK—Restored 1898 MKT Depot houses the city visitor center and Katy Heritage Society MKT Railroad Museum. A vintage caboose stands adja- cent to the building. Donations accepted. 5615 First St. 281/391-8407.
KATY VFW MEMORIAL MUSEUM—Features a first-class military exhibit encompassing every foreign conflict in- volving the United States. Special group schedules on request. Donations accepted. 6202 George Bush Drive. 281/391-8387.
KEMAH POP. 1,840
ALT. 24 MAP R-22/TT-17
KEMAH VISITOR CENTER: 604 Bradford. 281/334- 3181 or 877/775-3624.
www.kemahtourism.com.
The town was established by one of Stephen F. Austin’s original 300 colonists. It was destroyed by a hurricane in 1900 then rebuilt. It was named Kemah (a Native Ameri- can word for “facing the wind”) in 1907. Today, this “Gateway to the Bay” is a destination point. Events include the Blessing of the Fleet in May,
the July 4 Parade and Fireworks, Steel Drum Festival in October, Christmas in Kemah and Tree Lighting Ceremony in November, and Christmas Boat Lane Parade in December.
KEMAH BOARDWALK—It features several themed restaurants and shops, a hotel, a water garden, dancing fountains, and an interactive stingray petting reef. Includes amusement rides, street performers and midway games. Live music is available. 215 Kipp Ave. From I-45, take NASA Road 1 east to Texas 146; south on Texas 146 281/535-8100.
www.kemahboardwalk.com.
KINGSVILLE POP. 26,521
ALT. 66
MAP V-17
KINGSVILLE VISITOR CENTER: 1501 U.S. 77. 800/333- 5032 or 361/592-8516.
www.kingsvilletexas.com.
Located in the Wild Horse Desert, just west of the Gulf of Mexico, this is the birthplace of the American ranching in- dustry. It originated as a town along the railroad. Henrietta King, of the famous King Ranch, donated land for the railway. Today, the city is a birding and wildlife hotspot, with
more than 1 million acres of habitat. Kingsville is home to the King Ranch, Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas A&M- Kingsville, and agricultural and ranching industries. An array of shops and restaurants—Western wear, leather goods, crafts, antiques and jewelry—are in the historic downtown.
DEPOT TRAIN MUSEUM—Restored 1904 Depot Museum in downtown Kingsville displays artifacts and history high- lighting the railroads’ impact on the city. A reproduction of the original 1904 bandstand sits next to the museum. Free. 104 E. Kleberg St. 351/592-8516.
JOHN E. CONNER MUSEUM—The Hall of South Texas History has displays of Native American, Mexican and pioneer Texan cultures, plus ranching and agriculture equipment. The Hall of Natural History features plants and animals of South Texas shown in natural habitats. The Graves Peeler Hall of Horns features animal mounts. The Discovery Area has specimens for hands-on examina- tion. Exhibits are rotated throughout the year. Donations accepted. Free. 905 W. Santa Gertrudis Ave. On the campus of Texas A&M-Kingsville. 361/593-2810.
KING RANCH—This National Historic Landmark was established in 1853 when Capt. Richard King bought 68,500 acres of Spanish and Mexican land grants. Today, King Ranch sprawls across 825,000 acres of South Texas land. It is a working ranch. Guided tours are offered daily. Nature tours showcase
the ranch’s abundant wildlife and birds. Available by reser- vation. Special group tours also are available. Admission charge. Entrance is immediately west of Kingsville off Texas 141. 361/592-8055.
KING RANCH MUSEUM—In a renovated downtown ice plant, the museum features ranch photos by award-winning photographer Toni Frissell. It also has collections of antique coaches, vintage cars, saddles and other historic ranch items. Admission charge. 405 N. Sixth St. 361/595-1881.
KING RANCH SADDLE SHOP—Unsuccessful in finding quality saddles and leather goods, Capt. Richard King began operating his own saddlery shop more than 150 years ago. Through the years, the shop has outfitted governors, presidents and foreign heads of state. 201 E. Kleberg. 361/595-5761 or 800/282-5464.
PARKS—Riviera Beach and Loyola Beach are saltwater recreational areas on the upper reaches of Baffin Bay, southeast of Kingsville. Baffin Bay off Laguna Madre, is known for saltwater trout and red drum fishing. Kaufer-Hubert Memorial Park & Sea Wind RV Resort
has a boat ramp, campground, swimming beach, picnic areas, playground, fishing pier and other amenities. Call 361/297-5738 for information. Fishing pier and bait-tackle shop also are available at
Riviera Beach Park. From U.S. 77 south, access to parks via F.M. 628 and F.M. 771.
LA MARQUE POP. 15,115
ALT. 12 MAP R-22/VV-18
TEXAS CITY-LA MARQUE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 9702 E.F. Lowry Expressway. 409/935-1408.
www.texascitychamber.com. This city was originally known as Highlands, probably
Kemah Boardwalk has an all-day ride pass.
for its location near Highland Creek. It was renamed in the 1890s. Madam St. Ambrose, postmistress, chose the
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