| Robert E. Lee High School |
| Baytown, Texas |
| Class of 1954 |
| Memories Page 1 |
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| BAYTOWN When We Grew Up And What Happened to Pelly & Goose Creek? BAYTOWN, TEXAS, population 22,973, is an industrial center in the midst of the amazing industrial “Gold Coast” of the United States. It is located midway between Houston and the open sea on the Houston Ship Channel. The city of Baytown is a consolidation of the cities of Goose Creek, Baytown and Pelly in 1948. The consolidated city is new. The spot on which it is located, however, is closely connected with the early history of Texas. Baytown is located in the shadows of San Jacinto Monument, a reminder of valiant Texans who won the battle of Texas Independence on that battlefield. The history of Baytown as it is known today begins with the discovery of oil in 1916 and 1917 along Tabbs Bay, which is the northerly tip of Galveston Bay. A typical oil boom town arose in the oil fields. None of the original shacks and huts remains. The town would probably have suffered the same fate as other boom towns except for the vision and planning of some of the pioneers, including the late former governor, Ross Sterling, who organized the now tremendous Humble Oil & Refining Company. The 2600 acre multi-million dollar Humble Refinery began when Sterling and his associates bought an 1800 acre rice field for $18 per acre to establish a relatively small “lubrication plant”. Although the price of land was cheap, Humble located at Baytown because deep water was available almost two years before it was in Houston, and because the Sterling-owned railroad, extended from Goose Creek to the refinery, insured a rail outlet the company controlled. Goose Creek, Baytown and Pelly existed as three separate entities until December 1945 when Pelly adopted a home rule charter and annexed the “contiguous and unincorporated” territory of Baytown. Baytown water districts resisted the annexation and a year’s court fight ensued, reaching all the way to the State Supreme Court, which ruled the annexation legal. On February 15, 1947, simultaneous elections were held in Goose Creek and Pelly for the purpose of consolidating the two cities. The consolidation carried by a large majority. At the same time, a straw vote was taken to select a name for the new city and to determine whether or not a charter commission should be selected to write a new city charter. The voters preferred the name “Baytown” and wanted a charter commission to draft a charter. A fifteen-man commission wrote the new charter which was adopted January 24, 1948, and with it, the name Baytown. During the interim between the consolidation election and the charter election, the city had been known as Pelly. Citizens of the Baytown area can choose any one of 30 churches in the vicinity in which to worship. Many of the churches have new buildings or are in the process of building programs, the latest survey showing $2,000,000 in church construction, in progress or planned. The Goose Creek Independent School District serves Baytown and its surrounding area. It embraces an area of 50 square miles and has $102,000,000 taxable valuation and 6,500 scholastics. Eighteen school buses transport 1800 children to and from their homes each school day. Lee College is a tax-supported institution offering two years of college work as well as many technical and academic courses required by the adult industrial and business people. Over 600 students are enrolled in the new $1,000,000 college plant just completed. Baytown is proud of its industrial production. The giant Humble Refinery employs 6500 and was an integral part of the production team which furnished the tools of war in the second global conflict. The General Tire and Rubber Company was opened in Baytown during World War II when natural rubber supplies to this country were severed. The company is still producing and developing synthetic rubber which is superior to all forms of rubber previously known. The newest addition to Baytown’s industrial family is the J. M. Huber Corporation, makers of carbon black. The Huber Company opened its production facilities in May 1951. Before the plant was finished, construction was begun to double its capacity. Baytown’s financial needs are served by three banks and a building and loan association, all located in new and beautiful quarters. Three hospitals, including the 100-bed $1,750,000 San Jacinto Memorial Hospital, serve the health and medical needs of the community. A year round recreation program is directed by a recreation council and financed through the Community Chest, the City of Baytown, Goose Creek Independent School District and the Cedar Bayou Independent School District. This program serves all ages from kindergarten through adult groups. A $135,000 swimming pool is open during the summer months at Roseland Park, owned by the city. The park also offers facilities for picnics, boating and other forms of outdoor recreation. A $10,000,000 tunnel under the Houston Ship Channel between Baytown and La Porte is midway through construction and is scheduled for completion in 1953. The tunnel will be a relocation of Highway 146 and will eliminate ferries on the highway. When the tunnel is completed, it will offer a direct route to Galveston from all points east. Baytown offers unlimited opportunities for industrial and business expansion as well as grand surroundings for raising a family. All inquiries will receive prompt attention when directed to the Baytown Chamber of Commerce. |
| From a Baytown Chamber of Commerce map printed in 1952. |
| Memories Page 1 |
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