Ever wonder how a small fishing town transformed into a top tourist spot? That is the story of Kemah. We are standing in Kemah Texas a city southeast of Houston along west Galveston Bay.
Originally, this area was part of a land grant to Michael Gouldrich in 1824. He was one of the first colonists. The land near Clear Creek and Galveston Bay was perfect for farming and stockraising.
After Gouldrich disappeared, William Vince acquired the land. Then John Flanders, an Alamo fighter, bought it. It was renamed Flanders Grove or Flanders Labor. After Flanders died, Jonathan D Waters bought the land in 1844 for just $354.
By the 1890s, the Bradford and Kipp families arrived. They divided the land into town lots in 1898. This established the town of Evergreen. It was also known as Shell Siding due to the oyster shell middens lining the bay. These were sometimes 20 to 30 feet deep.
Following the devastating 1900 Galveston hurricane, the Kipp and Bradford families evacuated. They returned in 1901 to rebuild. They constructed two-story homes with porches on 10th Street. To establish a post office, the town needed a unique name. Kemah was chosen. It is a Karankawa Indian word meaning wind in my face. John H Kipp Sr established the post office in 1907.
From the 1920s to the 1950s, Kemah became a popular tourist destination. This was due to investment by the Maceo crime syndicate. They ran Galveston during that time. The syndicate created a lavish casino district along the boardwalk. Venues included the Chili Bowl and the Kemah Den.
However, in the 1950s, the Texas Rangers shut down the Galveston vice empire. Kemahs casinos closed. Its tourism declined drastically.
During the 1950s, the opening of the Clear Creek Channel led to the establishment of a major commercial shrimp fishing fleet. Hurricane Carla in 1961 severely damaged the city. Kemah rebuilt. The fishing business revived.
The establishment of the Johnson Space Center on Clear Lake during the 1970s helped tourism re-emerge. Pleasure boats began to fill the lake. In 1992, Kemah expanded to 2 square miles with a population of 1300.
The late 1990s marked another turning point. Kemah became a tourist hot spot. Landry’s Restaurants opened the Kemah Boardwalk. It now features amusement rides for everyone.
Hurricane Ike made landfall in 2008. It caused significant damage. Although Galveston was hit harder, Kemah experienced power outages and destruction. The Kemah Boardwalk was greatly affected. Landry’s rebuilt the attraction. A waterline in Landry’s Restaurant serves as a reminder of the hurricane.
Today, Kemah is known as the Gateway to the Bay. It attracts people from all over. It is a world-class destination. The Kemah Boardwalk entertains this generation of Houstonians. Kemah blends its rich history with modern attractions. It provides a unique experience for all visitors.