name, which means “the mark” in French. During the Civil War, the town was known as Buttermilk Station after the soldiers’ practice of purchasing buttermilk there on the trip between Galveston and Houston.
GULF GREYHOUND PARK—The complex features three levels, each with dining and viewing options. Other unique features include 318 teller windows and more than 1,100 closed-circuit televisions. Tables in the Terrace Clubhouse (reservations recommended) overlook the track. One block west of I-45 South at Exit 15. 409/986-9500 or 800/875-8946.
HIGHLAND BAYOU PARK—Offers volleyball, tennis, basketball and horseshoe areas, plus fishing ponds and picnic tables. I-45 south at Exit 10. 409/938-9200.
LA PORTE POP. 34,553
ALT. 28 MAP Q-22/SS-17
LA PORTE-BAYSHORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 712 W. Fairmont Parkway. 281/471-1123.
www.laportechamber.org. 281/471-5020.
www.laportetx.gov
The city was named “The Door” by French settlers when it was founded on upper Galveston Bay. Deep-water port and petrochemical industries coexist with a pleasant resi- dential environment and bayshore resorts. The city is home to the Houston Yacht Club, the second
oldest yacht club in the U.S. La Porte also hosts the Sylvan Beach Festival, held on Galveston Bay, in April.
BATTLESHIP TEXAS STATE HISTORIC SITE— This is the last surviving Dreadnought-type ship and is the only remaining battleship to have served in both World Wars. When the vessel was commissioned in 1914, it was considered the most advanced military weapon on the planet. At the San Jacinto Battleground, Texas 134, about 20 miles east of Houston via Texas 225. 281/479-2431.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/ battleship-texas.
SAN JACINTO BATTLEGROUND STATE HISTORIC SITE—The battle fought here on April 21, 1836, secured independence from Mexico. A trail goes through a native prairie and tidal marsh being restored to their 1836 appearance. Tour the 570-foot San Jacinto Monument. Admission charge. 3523 Independence Parkway S. 281/479-2431.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/ san-jacinto-battleground.
SYLVAN BEACH PARK—This Harris County park offers a fishing pier, boat ramp, playground and picnic areas. A caboose and depot from the old Houston-Galveston-San Antonio railroad serve as a museum for the La Porte-Bay Area Heritage Society’s collection. Overlooks Galveston Bay. 281/326-6539 or 281/471-1661.
LEAGUE CITY POP. 88,845
ALT. 20
LEAGUE CITY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU: 217 E. Main St. 281/338-7339.
www.visitleaguecity.com.
On the south shore of Clear Lake along I-45 and just 20 miles south of Houston near NASA’s Johnson Space Center, this is an expanding city. League City offers visitors everything from water sports on Clear Lake to antique and gift shopping in the city’s historic district. Beautiful live oak trees line Main Street where many histor- ic homes from the turn of the 20th century have been converted into charming shops and eateries. Parks and gardens dot the Main Street district.
BIG LEAGUE DREAMS—Six replica major league baseball stadiums host regional baseball and softball tournaments. Includes volleyball courts, indoor soccer and a children’s play area. Admission charge. 1150 Big League Dreams
120 MAP R-21 Parkway. 281/316-3400.
www.bigleaguedreams.com.
BUTLER LONGHORN MUSEUM—Features a history of the Texas longhorn and the rugged people who founded America’s western cattle empire. The museum site in- cludes trails and picnic areas along the inlet of Clear Creek. Admission charge. 1220 Coryell St. 281/332-1393.
www.butlerlonghornmuseum.com.
DISTILLERY—Railean Distillers. See BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES listing.
NED AND FAY DUDNEY CLEAR CREEK NATURE CENTER—This 148-acre park has excellent habitat for migrating birds. Includes bird blinds, picnic areas and a covered pavilion. All facilities are wheelchair accessible. 1220 Egret Bay N. On the south shore of Clear Creek. 281/554-1181.
www.leaguecity.com.
WEST BAY COMMON SCHOOL MUSEUM—Teachers in period dress conduct classes. Next door, the Barn Museum displays artifacts and offers hands-on experiences. The Icehouse Barbershop Museum depicts an early League City business with recorded “ghost” images. Admission charge. 210 N. Kansas St. 281/554-2994. www.oneroom
schoolhouse.org.
LOS FRESNOS POP. 6,012
ALT. 31 MAP Z-17/AA-20
LOS FRESNOS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 956/233-4488.
www.losfresnoschamber.com.
The town was named for the fresnos (ash) trees scattered in the woods and along streams. Lon C. Hill, an early landowner, formed a company to develop a canal system. Today, the city is surrounded by farm and ranch land.
ADOLPH THOMAE, JR. COUNTY PARK—On the Laguna Madre and surrounded by the huge Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, park facilities include lighted fishing piers, picnic areas, a playground, boat ramp, nature trail and RV sites with hookups. Take F.M. 106 east 3.1 miles to F.M. 2925; north 14.8 miles to the park en- trance. 956/748-2044.
LAGUNA ATASCOSA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE— This coastal refuge is great for winter birds, especially waterfowl; summer kayak tours on the Laguna Madre; wildlife watchers; photographers; and hunters. Enjoy more than 50 miles of hiking/bicycling trails, guided tours in the bus/open air tram, and a visitor center with exhibits. 22688 Buena Vista Blvd. 956/748-3607 x111.
www.fws.gov/refuge/laguna_atascosa.
LAGUNA MADRE—See PORT ISABEL.
LITTLE GRACELAND—Contains large collection of Elvis Presley memorabilia, including photos, posters, and watch- es. The owner served in the U.S. Army with Elvis while stationed in Germany. Elvis Festival is held every January. Admission charge. 701 W. Ocean Blvd. (Texas 100) downtown. 956/233-5482.
MATHIS POP. 5,010
A Garden Oasis
HILLTOP GARDENS near Lyford (south of Raymondville) is a tropical healing gar- den and organic farm. Visitors can take a tour and enjoy the sensory walk, healing garden, memorial aloe garden and chil- dren’s garden. A bed-and-breakfast on site is a great place to stay and soak up the oasis.
www.hilltopgarden.com.
ALT. 161
MAP U-17
Established in 1885, this town is a center for an agricultural area. San Patricio County has extensive oil production and many petrochemical plants.
LAKE— Lake Corpus Christi—This reservoir on the Nuec- es River offers swimming and boating. Fishing camps and marinas, plus facilities at Lake Corpus Christi State Park. A few miles west of Mathis off Texas 359.
LAKE CORPUS CHRISTI STATE PARK—This large, placid lake offers swimming, boating, waterskiing and sailboard- ing. Black bass, striped bass, crappie and catfish angling are year-round activities. Admission charge. About 35 miles northwest of Corpus Christi. 361/547-2635.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/lake-corpus-christi.
LIPANTITLAN STATE HISTORIC SITE—Named for the Lipan Apache and the 1835 battle between Texian insur- gents and the Mexican Army, this day-use only 5-acre site offers picnicking and nature study. Visit website or call for directions. 361/547-2635.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ state-parks/lipantitlan.
NEDERLAND POP. 17,688
ALT. 25 MAP P-23/NN-16
NEDERLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 1515 Boston Ave. 409/722-0279.
www.nederlandtx.com.
In the late 1800s, a railroad company, constructed a rail- road from Kansas City to Lake Sabine and gave many of the towns along the way Dutch names because of finan- cial backing from Holland. While many Dutch settled here, people also came from other parts of Texas and the United States. Growth came in earnest with discovery of the Spindletop Oil Field, just seven miles north in Beaumont, in 1901.
LA MAISON DES ACADIENS MUSEUM—Soon after set- tlement began, many French came to the area from South Louisiana. The museum pays tribute to those early settlers and was built as a replica of early Acadian homes. 1500 block of Boston Avenue in Tex Ritter Park. 409/722-0279.
WINDMILL MUSEUM—Built to preserve Dutch heritage, the windmill’s 25-foot blades revolve. Exhibits include artifacts from the city’s founding; mementos of famed country singer, Tex Ritter (who lived briefly in Nederland); and native son W.F. (Buddy) Davis’ Olympic Gold Medal. 1500 block of Boston Ave. in Tex Ritter Park. 409/723-1545.
ORANGE POP. 18,678
ALT. 20 MAP P-24/LL-18
ORANGE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU: 803 W. Green Ave. 800/528-4906 or 409/883-1011.
www.orangetexas.org.
Texas’ easternmost city on the Sabine River boundary with Louisiana was named for the landmark of wild orange groves on the banks of the Sabine, as cited by early French and Spanish boatmen. Today, Orange is a recreational and industrial portal to Texas. Abundant freshwater and salt- water fishing and hunting and birding opportunities are available in vast coastal marshes. Take in a performance at the Lutcher Theatre for the
Performing Arts (409/886-5535) or the Orange Commu- nity Playhouse (409/882-9137). Visit the Farmer’s Mercan- tile and browse the farm, ranch and agricultural items on display. Sixth and Division streets (409/883-2941).
BROWN CENTER OF LAMAR STATE COLLEGE, THE— It was built as a family residence for oilman Edgar Brown, whose wife wanted a Southern plantation house like “Linden” in Natchitoches, La. Brown re-created the house. The property was given to Lamar State College, where
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