Introduction to La Porte, Texas
La Porte, Texas, in Harris county, is 5 miles SW of Baytown, Texas (center to center) and 21 miles E of Houston, Texas. The city is in the Houston area.
La Porte History
La Porte was incorporated on August 10, 1892. It is located in Harris County and is the oldest incorporated town in the region. The area was used for a real estate venture by a group of Colorado-based colonizers and land developers. Although initially advertised as an area suitable for agriculture, the black gumbo soil was soon found to be unsuited for farming. The town gradually altered its image to that of a resort town until World War II. The influence of this great war was instrumental in slowly transforming the area into a full-scale industrial zone.
La Porte and nearby Attractions
- Battleship USS Texas
- San Jacinto Battlefield State Historical Park
- Pleasant Hill Baptist Church
- La Porte Cemetery
- San Jacinto Monument and Museum
Things To Do In La Porte
The Battlefield USS Texas is considered to be the world's only existing dreadnought. It served in both World Wars and now stands in La Porte as a tourist attraction. School children raised money to have the ship completely renovated. San Jacinto Battlefield State Historical Park has a 570-foot tall limestone monument built in remembrance of the war fought in 1836 between the armies of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and the patriots of Texas. This war resulted in Texas earning its independence. Pleasant Hill Baptist Church is known for its quaint architecture and the ambience of serenity. La Porte Cemetery attracts visitors for its peaceful surroundings.
La Porte Transportation
Ellington Field Airport provides air transportation facilities to the people of La Porte.
La Porte Higher Education
San Jacinto College-Central Campus, University of Houston-Clear Lake, and Lee College offer facilities for higher education.
