Our Community

The Texas Gulf Coast’s
Best Kept Secret

Located in southeastern Texas, League City is 25 miles north of Galveston and 20 miles south of Houston, the fourth-largest city in the United States. It is located on the south shore of 1,750-acre Clear Lake, directly across from NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

Encompassing 55 square miles, League City has been characterized as a dynamic, ever-expanding community. The city has experienced a five- to six-percent annual residential growth rate since the 1980s, with a present-day population estimated at 58,546. League City is the largest city in Galveston County. With a unique blend of high-tech aerospace and petrochemical industry base, upscale commercial, retail and boating facilities, and a sought-after quality of life, the region continues to be a stalwart of Galveston County’s regional economic growth.

League City is alive with opportunity, optimism and energy. The area is home to the third-largest concentration of pleasure boats in the United States, and features a quaint tree-lined historic commercial district.

League City has been listed as one of America’s Top Rated Smaller Cities by Grey House Publications. The publication contains 100 top-rated smaller cities in America with populations of 25,000 to 99,999. Texas cities include Coppell, Flower Mound, Rowlett (Dallas Ft. Worth suburbs), Round Rock (Austin), and League City. The publication market includes general reference libraries, relocation firms, and research consultants. Ratings are based on unemployment levels, crime rate, growth history, and household income.

Key demographic measures attest to the economic strength of the region. The area’s population reflects comparable or superior characteristics for the measures of population growth, educational attainment, and household income when compared with major U.S. suburban and metropolitan areas.

Although part of the Houston economy, League City distinguishes itself within the region demographically. Its employment base, income level and education profiles are well above the average for the Houston metro area. In recent years, the region led the economic recovery, not so much by size as by rate of growth and optimism.

Ninety percent of League City residents rate the quality of life as good or excellent. The combination of things that, together, create a desirable lifestyle for a community are varied, and yet, most citizens speak to the city’s quality of life as if it were commonly identifiable. These same residents cite the suburban lifestyle, economic opportunities, schools, and other recreational and cultural amenities as reasons for their strong approval.

League City was formally incorporated as a Texas Home Rule City in 1962. League City has two county parks included in the Great Texas Birding Trail, the county’s top library, an amateur recreational sports facility, a multi-use sportsplex, major marinas, championship golf courses, a resort hotel, as well as lots of room for growth.

In the early 1800s Father Miguel Muldoon was sent to Texas by Mexico to set up missions and try to civilize the Indians who lived in the area. He was given land in payment for his services but decided to return to Mexico. J.C. League, an entrepreneur from Galveston, purchased the land. The Butler family arrived by ox cart from Louisiana with several other families. They brought Longhorn cattle and all the equipment needed to set up a ranch.

Mr. Butler had to go nearly to Pearland to cross Clear Creek and then came back the south side of the creek and settled along the railroad tracks here in League City. The other families spread themselves throughout the area and shipped their cattle by way of the GH&H Railroad. Butler also planted the giant oaks that are seen along Main Street.

In 1874, Clear Creek became the first name of the town. Some people thought that the name should be League City, after J.C. League, who gave parcels of land for churches and a school. It was changed to League City in 1896, changed back to Clear Creek in 1897, and finally back to League City in 1902. As you can imagine, the dissension concerning the name change caused much uproar between both groups, and the post office was moved back and forth over the tracks every time the name changed.

Cattle, vegetables, figs, Satsuma oranges and strawberries were shipped in abundance from the depot located near League Park in the early 1900s, as the winters were mild. In 1911, a giant freeze that left ice covering everything killed nearly all the orange and other citrus trees. They reverted back to cattle along with some vegetables grown during the warm season. In the 1920s figs became a major crop, and a fig factory was built along the railroad tracks. The factory has been restored by the Dennis Ruhl Family and is used as a private home.

Other historic homes such as the T.J. Dick Home, the Ferrell Home, the Carter-Patton Home, and the Dibrell Coons Home have also been restored and stand as testament today of the love League City has for its history and ancestors. Some of the historic homes are open for a tour during the fall.

West Bay Common School No. 13 was built in 1898 in Chambers County, Texas. This 18-by-30-foot structure, made of cypress wood, originally had a wood-shingle roof. Half of this still remains under the present metal roof that was added after the 1900 hurricane. The building was used as a school until 1936. It was then moved a short distance and made into a three-room house.

With efforts of the League City Historical Society, the one-room school was moved to League City in December of 1992 to the corner of Kansas and Second Street, the former site of the Little Green Schoolhouse. This little schoolhouse was formally dedicated as the West Bay Common School Children’s Museum in 1993.

The purpose of the museum is to provide a hands-on history experience for children of all ages, to house the state and local acquisitions of school memorabilia and educational artifacts, to preserve a historical site with local artifacts, and to preserve a structure of Texas’ past.

League Park – The original park and bandstand were given to the city by J.C. League in the late 1890s. A great place for a picnic or event. See Historical Marker. Park and Main Street

Railroad Section House – Built next to the depot between 1887 and 1897 by the GH&H Railroad for the superintendent of the railroad section gang. The appliquéd sunbursts on the gables offer an outstanding example of architecture relating to the railroad industry. The home currently serves as offices for the Parks and Recreation Department. Park and Second Street

League City Pharmacy – Built in the late 1920s of molded concrete bricks produced locally, the drugstore faced Second Street. Dr. Patton had his office in the rear with a separate entrance. The building is being used as a church. 500 block of Second Street

The Butler Building – In 1909, George Washington Butler witnessed the fulfillment of a dream – the completion of the Brick Building as townfolk came to call it. Andrew Dow was engaged by Butler as the architect. Citizen’s State Bank, a grocery, a drug store, and professional offices were housed here. King’s Trail, as Second Street was known, gave the impression that League City had become a center of trade and commerce. After falling into disrepair, the property was purchased and renovated by a local architect. Once again it houses professional offices, as well as Butler’s Courtyard, helping bring life and vitality back to the historic center of town. 122 North Michigan

Site of Schenk’s Bakery – The bakery is gone from the site but the fragrance of fresh-baked goods throughout town remains a memory. German immigrants, Mr. And Mrs. August Schenk, established a bakery both here and in Galveston around 1900. It is now an open space and a site for beautiful weddings and events at Butler’s Courtyard. 611 Second Street

Baptist Church – Faith Temple now occupies the site of the Baptist Church, the first mission of the Union Baptist Association organized in Galveston County. The original building was destroyed in the 1900 storm. 700 Second Street

Site of the Little Green School House – J.C. League gave this property to the town for a school. The original woodframe structure was L-shaped with a small porch in the angle. As late as 1961, CCISD still used it for kindergarten classes. It is now the site of the West Bay Common School Children’s Museum, which houses local artifacts. On this same property is the Salmon Ice House/Barbershop. This unique building, originally on Second Street, was used as an ice house/barbershop, and several other businesses through the years. Both sites are available for tours. Kansas and Second Street, (281) 554-2994

Friends Church – Formerly the Methodist Church, it was a simple frame building which burned and was rededicated as this present structure in 1936. Local artisan King crafted an altar at the church which is still in use today. 923 Third Street

Fig Preserving Plant – Located next to the GH&H Railroad, the property was purchased in 1923 from the League Estate for construction of a fig preserving plant. Operating from 1923 until 1954, it employed as many as 100 people during peak production times. In 1994, new owners restored the exterior using most of the original materials, and converted the interior to a private residence. 495 Coryell

First Parsonage for League City Methodist Church – This cottage-style home was built around the turn-of-the-century and moved to its present location in 1947. It was restored in the 1980s. 612 Fourth Street

Fairview Cemetery – In 1907, A.W. Snider and J.H. Lynch began the Fairview Cemetery Association after purchasing the property along the creek for a cemetery. Ghosts of the Past takes place here each October as costumed local thespians portray well-known settlers and other deceased persons of distinction for visitors taking cemetery tours. North Kansas Avenue at Clear Creek. For tickets call (281) 554-2994.

Walter Hall Home/Butler Longhorn Museum – Once a modest five-room cottage built by J.A. Beerwort, the house has been enlarged three times. Barbecues honoring volunteer firemen throughout the Bay Area were held here for more than 30 years. After the death of Mr. Hall, the City of League City purchased the estate for the Butler Longhorn Museum. The museum will focus on the rich history of the Longhorn cattle industry in our area. 1220 Coryell

Friends Parsonage – Church services were once held in this building, which was owned by the Friends Quarterly Meeting of the Friends Church. It also served as the parsonage for many years. 814 East Main

Butler Ranch Railhead/Helen’s Garden – The remaining 1.7 acres of the original 35-acre tract purchased in 1875 for George W. Butler’s ranch headquarters was developed into a garden in 1994 by W.G. Hall in memory of his wife. The large oak trees in the garden were planted in 1907. 701 East Main

St. Mary Catholic Church – This simple Gothic Revival-style church was built in 1910. Bolts, rather than nails were used to assemble the rafters. Records show Mr. League gave the land at the corner of Main and Colorado for the construction of a church at the same time as the League Park and Little Green school House sites, ensuring the citizens of League City places to worship, learn and play. 620 East Main

Galveston County Poor Farm – Now Walter Hall Park, the Poor Farm was established in 1887 by the Commissioners Court to house and care for the county’s indigent residents on what was then a 213-acre site. Colonel George Washington Butler, County Commissioner, served on the site selection committee. The first building designed by local architect Nicholas J. Clayton. Due to lack of funds the county closed the farm in 1913, sold off some of the land, and dedicated the remaining 78 acres as a county park in 1928. The name was changed to Walter Hall Park in 1985. Highway 3

Magnolia Creek Cemetery – The oldest cemetery in League City traces its origin to four ranching families that arrived in the area in 1855 – the Perkins, Butlers, Cowards, and Smalleys. They and their descendants account for most of the people buried here, including four veterans of the Civil War. The first recorded burial was of Samuel J. Perkins in 1859. During the 1870s and the 1880s, George Washington Butler arranged to have several family members interred in the cemetery grounds. Butler’s prominence in the community and burial here in 1921 are believed to have led many local citizens to refer to this graveyard as the Butler Cemetery. Apple Lane, Rustic Oaks subdivision

League City Landmark Medallion – Thirty League City homes or sites have been honored and presented the bronze medallion. To qualify, a home or site has to be over 60 years old, have remained architecturally true to its style and/or have specific significance to League City’s history. For a brochure of historic homes, call the Visitor Center, (281) 338-7339.

Historic sites and majestic oaks information provided by League City Historical Society, Inc., West Bay Common Children’s Museum, PO Box 1642, League City 77574, (281) 554-2994

Things to See and Do in League City

League City offers everything from the luxurious South Shore Harbour Resort area with its yacht-filled marina, to antique and gift shopping in the historic district. Beautiful huge oak trees line Main Street where many historic homes from the late 19th- and early 20th-centuries have been converted into charming shops and eateries.

Parks and gardens dot the Main Street district with ponds, bandstands, and delightful landscaping. The landmark League City lighthouse, located in the resort area, will show you the way to this wonderful city, and is clearly visible from many outlooks along Clear Lake.

Big League Dreams Sports Park – If you ever dreamed of playing in the big leagues, now is your chance! Big League Dreams Sports Park, a world-class amateur recreational sports facility, opened in League City in 2005. Park features include six baseball/softball fields designed as replicas of famous major league stadiums (Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Ebbets Field, Sportsman’s Park and Crosley Field). Other features include corporate, group and entertainment facilities, sand volleyball courts, batting cages, two stadium club restaurants and sports bars, a multi-purpose sports pavilion, indoor soccer, children’s play area, adult league play, youth and adult tournament play, company picnics, private parties, and team-building activities. 1150 Big League Dreams Parkway in League City (Interstate 45 South between Calder Road and FM 646), (281) 316-3400

Butler Longhorn Museum and Heritage Park – The Butler Longhorn Museum will feature a variety of Texas history through art, science and history exhibits. League City has become known throughout the nation as the place where Milby Butler did his part in saving the Longhorn from extinction. The Heritage Park will exhibit the local farming history through its Italian Heritage House Museum. This beautiful ten-acre waterfront park in the historic district of League City has trails, picnic benches and playgrounds. The Longhorn Museum will open in early 2008. The park is open for visitors. 1220 Coryell Street, (281) 332-1393

Beacon Lakes – An 18-hole, 6,700-yard challenging public course, fully lighted for nighttime play. 1.5 miles east of Interstate 45 on FM 646, (281) 337-1459

Magnolia Creek Golf Links – A Scottish-links-type public course with 27 holes. Near the intersection of Bay Area Boulevard and FM 518, (281) 557-0555

South Shore Harbour Country Club – Private 27-hole championship course located within the master-planned South Shore Harbour community. 4300 South Shore Harbour Boulevard, (281) 334-0521

Helen’s Garden – This beautiful botanical garden features birdhouses, a waterfall, lovely year-round flowers, and a peaceful atmosphere. The gardens are manicured by the League City Garden Club and the Parks Department. It is a picture-perfect setting under the oaks for weddings, parties and special occasions. The garden is open to the public all year. FM 518 (Main Street) in the 700 block, (281) 554-4566

Historic League City – Stroll and shop under huge oak trees for gifts, antiques, books and collectibles, gift baskets, candles, vintage apparel, home décor, and more. The restored historic homes, quaint tearooms and delightful parks beckon as you stroll along Main Street and throughout the historic district. Many of the shops are located in historic buildings, making shopping even more fun. One-hundred-year-old oak trees are living symbols of League City’s heritage and provide a welcome canopy of cool greenery. Most of the shops are within easy walking distance, so come stroll through our unique shops and step back in time. Located along Main Street (FM 518) and throughout League City, (281) 338-7339

Houston’s Water Playground – Head for the waters of Clear Lake for exhilarating water activities such as sailing, windsurfing and parasailing. Enjoy the thrill of a speedboat ride, or the freedom of a personal watercraft excursion. Experience the relaxing rhythm of rowing on the calm waters of ClearLake. Or let a tour guide treat you to the many sparkling vistas of the lake and bay. Without a doubt, you’ll find a fun activity that will be a highlight of your visit. (281) 338-0333, www.visitbayareahouston.com

League Park and Bandstand – With a turn-of-the-century theme, League Park features a bandstand (gazebo) that is home to year-round concerts, events, festivals, and many other activities. The park can be reserved for birthday parties, weddings, etc. FM 518 (Main Street) at Park Avenue, 1.5 miles east of Interstate 45, (281) 554-1189

Local Festivals and Events – Oak Tree Festival, Holiday in the Park, South Shore Dockside Food and Wine Festival, Village Fair & Texas Music Festival, Christmas Boat Parade, arts and craft shows, classic car shows, parades, and much more. For a calendar of special events, call (281) 338-7339 or visit www.leaguecityfun.com

Resort. Relax. Renew. – Situated in the master-planned waterfront community of South Shore Harbour, the South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center rises 11 stories above the water, overlooking a 1,048-ship marina on Clear Lake, which leads to Galveston Bay. It rivals the finest resorts anywhere. Home to executive retreats and meetings for some of the nation’s largest corporations, South Shore Harbour’s conference facilities blend discretely with the amenities of an all-inclusive resort. With over 23,000 square feet of meeting space for groups up to 1,000, the four-star resort offers many special amenities including a 185-foot tropical pool with swim-up bar and waterfall, a 27-hole championship golf course, a 70,000-square-foot fitness center, seven tennis courts, massage therapy, bay fishing, and water sports. Winning a Zagat rating as one of the four best hotels in the Houston metro area, the resort has become a favorite with Hollywood film stars. (281) 334-1000, www.sshr.com

West Bay Common School Children’s Museum – Go back in history at the West Bay Common School Children’s Museum, an enchanting one-room schoolhouse where a typical school day from the 1890s is brought to life. This museum is an exhibit of buildings and artifacts from turn-of-the-century rural America. Visitors tour the one-room schoolhouse and enjoy the barn museum and ice house museum containing a collection of tools and implements from daily life of the 1890s and early 1900s. The museum offers an award-winning program where children of all ages experience a typical 1898 learning environment. 210 North Kansas Avenue, (281) 554-2994, www.oneroomschoolhouse.org
 
Nearby Attractions

Excursions are five to 15 minutes away – from the Kemah Boardwalk and the high-tech adventure of NASA, to Houston attractions and excitement and the beaches of Galveston.

Armand Bayou Nature Center – One of the largest urban wildlife and wilderness preserves in the U.S., Armand Bayou is home to bison, raptors and reptiles.

Three ecosystems with 2,500 acres of bayou, forest and prairie are refuge for 360 species. 8500 Bay Area Boulevard, seven miles east off Interstate 45 South, (281) 474-2551, www.abnc.org

Bay Oaks Country Club – 18-hole golf course with Bermuda grass fairways and water hazards at 14 of the holes. 14545 Bay Oaks Boulevard, Houston, (281) 488-7888

Bayou Wildlife Park – An exotic animal park with an educational train ride and more! Petting zoo, pony rides, picnic area, souvenir shop, 400 animals and birds in 45 different species – giraffes, rhinos, camels, zebras, etc. Open all year. 5050 FM 517, Alvin, (281) 337-6376

Gulf Greyhound Racing Park – The world’s largest greyhound racing park, this complex offers clubhouse seating for 1,900. Families are welcome, full-service dining and a dog adoption service are offered. 1000 FM 2004, La Marque (eight minutes south of Clear Lake, Exit 15 at FM 2004 off Interstate 45 South), (409) 986-9500, (800) 275-2946, www.gulfgreyhound.com

Haak Vineyards & Winery, Inc. – A complete working winery with a four-acre vineyard, crush pad, bottling and corking equipment, fermentation tanks, and a 1,800-square-foot cellar with wine barrels. Free tastings and tours run continuously. Gift shop, deli and picnic grounds. 6310 Avenue T, Santa Fe, (409) 925-1401, www.haakwine.com

Kemah Boardwalk – A great waterfront weekend destination for the entire family. Restaurants, amusement rides including a Ferris wheel, carousel and train, shopping and skill games for the kids. 701 4th Street, Kemah, (281) 334-9880, (877) AT-KEMAH, www.kemahboardwalk.com

Space Center Houston and NASA’s Johnson Space Center – A $70 million entertainment and educational attraction with hands-on space experiences and exhibits, and tours of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. 1601 NASA Parkway, (281) 244-2100, www.spacecenter.org

Spirit of Texas paddlewheeler – The Spirit of Texas paddlewheeler is the newest charter boat of its size on the Texas Gulf Coast, and one of the nation’s most modern paddlewheel boats. Clear Lake’s newest attraction, the paddlewheeler accommodates 150 guests. Available for public tours, weddings, meetings, corporate events, field trips and special occasions. (832) 864-4000,
www.marker-1.com

League City –
The Most Natural Destination to Grow a Business

Located near the Texas Gulf Coast, 20 miles southeast of Houston, League City is situated on the south shore of Clear Lake, on Interstate Highway 45 (Gulf Freeway). Major sectors of the area’s economic base include aerospace (NASA), petrochemicals, health care, upscale commercial, boating, and visitor attractions. The area is home to the third-largest concentration of pleasure boats in the United States.

The city is experiencing record levels of growth as developers focus on the south shore of Clear Lake for future projects. Building permit issuance is at an all-time high, with a large portion of the city currently undergoing growth that is in the development planning process.

The League City area includes a well-educated and highly technical workforce (over 9,000 engineers in the immediate area), a convenient worldwide transportation network, and a diverse and expanding economic base. These features, along with the support of local government, combine to make League City the most natural destination to grow your business.

The Economic Development Department can provide business owners and developers information and assistance, including data on business location factors, financing, technology and workforce resources. Visit the department’s new website at www.leaguecityedc.com for community profile and demographics, retail demand report, sites and buildings, economic development incentives, project announcements, and much more.

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