Freeport Pop. 12,708 Alt 15

General-

Founded 1912 by the Townsite Company, a New York sulphur mining group, now hub of Brazosport area with variety of recreational, industrial, port, and commercial fishing enterprises. Includes Quintana, Texas' oldest seaport where Stephen F. Austin's first colonists landed in 1822, Historic village of Velasco, where peace treaty between Texas and Mexico was signed after Texas had won its independence on the battlefield of San Jacinto (see DEER PARK), is now part of adjacent Surfside Beach. Old Brazos River Harbor hosts a shrimp boat fleet.

For details on area attractions visit Brazosport Chamber of Commerce, 420 Texas 332 west.

The Acadia-
Wreck of a Confederate blockade runner in shallow water off Surfside Beach; boilers on ship still visible, accessible with scuba equipment. The 160-ft. copper-clad side-wheeler was built for speed to elude federal blockade ships during the War Between the States. The Acadia ran aground the night of Feb. 6, 1865.

Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge-
See
ANGLETON.

Bryan Beach State Recreation Area-
on Gulf of Mexico,
Intracoastal Waterway and Brazos River. Activities include fishing, beach-type recreation, primitive camping. Southwest 2 mi. on F.M. 1495, then 3 mi. south on Gulf beach.

Fishing-
Extensive facilities for fishing, both inshore and deep-sea, Local jetties, piers and surf are popular spots for catches of speckled trout, drum, redfish, sheepshead, flounder and gafftop; tackle and bait available nearby' For deep-sea fishing there are party and charter fishing vessels for hire at several docks. Offshore fishermen seek bonito, ling, marlin, snapper, dolphin, king mackerel, warsaw and sailfish.

Gulf Intracoastal Waterway-
Slicing through lowlands near Surfside Beach, canal is most valuable waterway in America, carrying as much annual tonnage as the Panama Canal and more than twice that of St. Lawrence Seaway. The protected waterway was authorized in 1942 and completed in 1949, Now stretches 1,066 miles from Brownsville, Texas, to Carrabelle, Florida. Surfside bridge on Texas 332 east spans Intracoastal Waterway to waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Quintana Beach County Park-
Offers exceptional recreational facilities on picturesque island. Day-use facilities include: paved, off-beach parking, shaded pavilions, rest rooms, showers, multilevel fishing pier, and playground. Two historic homes within park: Coveney House features period museum and natural history display, and Seabum House is park office. Elevated boardwalks (all with wheelchair ramps) connect pavilions, rest rooms, and showers. RV facilities include 56 camping sites, full hookups, dump station, RV bathhouse with rest rooms, showers, and laundry facilities. Reservations accepted for camping. From Texas 288, take F.M. 1495 south 1.7 miles; County Road 723 east three miles to park entrance.
(409) 849-5711, ext. 1541, or 1-(800)-872-7578. Fees.

 

Shrimp Boat Monument-
The former shrimp trawler mystery honors historic, colorful shrimp industry of Brazosport area. 60-foot boat, built of cypress timber more than five decades ago, brought in millions of pounds of delicious Gulf shrimp during her quarter-century career. Rigged in trappings of her youth, mystery is on display at head of Brazosport harbor channel on Texas 288.

Surfside Beach-
Name is both a town and a description of this resort-recreation area. Swimming, sailing, surf fishing, camping and shell collecting. Cottage rentals available. Surfside, San Luis, Bryan and Quintana beaches and numerous bays and sloughs are nationally known roosting grounds for migratory birds. The highest national 12-hour bird count ever taken was in Brazosport area in 1973-226 species.

 

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