Picture this a vibrant Texas town boasting a rich history. This is La Porte. Founded in 1892 La Porte began as a real estate venture. A 22-acre public space called Sylvan Grove was set aside near the waterfront. It quickly became a popular tourist destination in the Houston area. Bathhouses boating piers and a Victorian hotel with a dance pavilion drew crowds. La Porte’s Sylvan Beach was the place to be.
But nature had other plans. The devastating Galveston Hurricane of 1900 severely damaged the burgeoning tourist attractions. La Porte rebuilt. The Texas Oil Boom helped fuel the town’s recovery. Sylvan Beach became a nationally known tourist destination during the 1920s and 30s. Famous bands like Guy Lombardo and Benny Goodman played there. Beauty contests were also a big draw. The park was revamped with a boardwalk and amusement rides.
However La Porte’s beach began to shrink. Erosion from shipping and land subsidence caused by groundwater extraction took their toll. World War II gas rationing hurt tourism. A hurricane in 1943 dealt a final blow destroying most of the attractions. The damage was never fully repaired. La Porte’s tourist industry declined.
The town adapted. Its economy shifted to petroleum petrochemicals and shipping. The La Porte-Baytown tunnel opened in 1954 boosting development further. The nearby Johnson Space Center and the Barbours Cut and Bayport terminals helped La Porte become part of Houston’s industrial heartland.
La Porte’s past as a tourist haven has not been forgotten. The La Porte Bay Area Heritage Society preserves its history. Efforts to restore Sylvan Beach Park’s beachfront started in 2009. Sand was brought in and dredging was done. The project finished in 2013. Plans to build a large hotel are also being discussed. La Porte continues to evolve blending its industrial present with its vibrant past.