East Bay (Texas)
Encyclopedia
East Bay also known as East Galveston Bay, is the eastern extension of Galveston Bay
found in Chambers County, Texas. The bay is oriented northeast to southwest, and is approximately five miles wide and twenty miles in length. It covers the area north of the entire Bolivar Peninsula, and south of mainland Texas, including the small community of Smith Point
at the western extreme. The bay's one extension is Rollover Bay, which is found to the extreme east near the town of Gilchrist
.
. During their rule, sea captains would customarily land at Bolivar Peninsula and roll imported or exported goods across a small patch of land to or from the aptly named Rollover Bay to avoid the Galveston trade customs. Centuries later, a natural channel in the area was dredged to create Rollover Pass
, named for the practice that previously occurred. The pass cut Gilchrist in half and improved flows from the Gulf of Mexico
to East Bay. As a result, Gilchrist benefited economically from the pass, which became one of the most productive fishing locations along the Texas coast, and East Bay was supplied with a greater amount of seawater to improve the bay's fish and vegetative habitat.
The Spanish, notably landed on the northern shore of the bay at present-day Smith Point in 1805 to defend their Atascosito
settlement. Following the establishment of Mexico about twenty years later, the site of the landing was named for John Smith who protested the Mexican government's claims in the area. Soon thereafter, a small community was established. The residents depended on East Bay to provide sustenance and transportation before the introduction of the automobile. A few ranches were also established on the bay. Fishing and ranching were the mainstay of the economy until oil was discovered in 1944. Since then, numerous oil and gas wells have been constructed both onshore and in East Bay. According to the U.S Census, Smith Point had a population of 150 people in 2000.
. It is fed by Oyster Bayou
, an important nursery for oysters and shrimp, which runs 23 miles from its source near Winnie
through the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
to its confluence with East Bay, near the bay's easternmost point. At the easternmost point, the combined waters of East Bay Bayou and the Intracoastal Waterway
merge with the bay.
Galveston Bay
Galveston Bay is a large estuary located along the upper coast of Texas in the United States. It is connected to the Gulf of Mexico and is surrounded by sub-tropic marshes and prairies on the mainland. The water in the Bay is a complex mixture of sea water and fresh water which supports a wide...
found in Chambers County, Texas. The bay is oriented northeast to southwest, and is approximately five miles wide and twenty miles in length. It covers the area north of the entire Bolivar Peninsula, and south of mainland Texas, including the small community of Smith Point
Smith Point, Texas
Smith Point is an unincorporated area in Chambers County, Texas, United States....
at the western extreme. The bay's one extension is Rollover Bay, which is found to the extreme east near the town of Gilchrist
Gilchrist, Texas
Gilchrist, Texas is an unincorporated residential community and beachfront resort along State Highway 87, located seventeen miles east of Bolivar Point in the Bolivar Peninsula census-designated place, in Galveston County, Texas, United States....
.
History
The Spanish controlled the bay during the course of their conquest of TexasSpanish Texas
Spanish Texas was one of the interior provinces of New Spain from 1690 until 1821. Although Spain claimed ownership of the territory, which comprised part of modern-day Texas, including the land north of the Medina and Nueces Rivers, the Spanish did not attempt to colonize the area until after...
. During their rule, sea captains would customarily land at Bolivar Peninsula and roll imported or exported goods across a small patch of land to or from the aptly named Rollover Bay to avoid the Galveston trade customs. Centuries later, a natural channel in the area was dredged to create Rollover Pass
Rollover Pass
Rollover Pass is a man-made strait that cuts through the Bolivar Peninsula and links the Gulf of Mexico with Rollover Bay and East Bay on the upper Texas coast in eastern Galveston County...
, named for the practice that previously occurred. The pass cut Gilchrist in half and improved flows from the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
to East Bay. As a result, Gilchrist benefited economically from the pass, which became one of the most productive fishing locations along the Texas coast, and East Bay was supplied with a greater amount of seawater to improve the bay's fish and vegetative habitat.
The Spanish, notably landed on the northern shore of the bay at present-day Smith Point in 1805 to defend their Atascosito
Liberty, Texas
Liberty is a city in and the county seat of Liberty County, Texas, United States and a part of the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown metropolitan area. The population was 8,033 at the 2000 census....
settlement. Following the establishment of Mexico about twenty years later, the site of the landing was named for John Smith who protested the Mexican government's claims in the area. Soon thereafter, a small community was established. The residents depended on East Bay to provide sustenance and transportation before the introduction of the automobile. A few ranches were also established on the bay. Fishing and ranching were the mainstay of the economy until oil was discovered in 1944. Since then, numerous oil and gas wells have been constructed both onshore and in East Bay. According to the U.S Census, Smith Point had a population of 150 people in 2000.
Features
East Bay exchanges seawater with the Gulf of Mexico at Rollover Pass in Gilchrist and at Galveston Harbor near Port BolivarPort Bolivar, Texas
Port Bolivar is an unincorporated area located in the Bolivar Peninsula census-designated place, in Galveston County, Texas, United States state of Texas within Galveston County and part of the metropolitan area., Port Bolivar had a population of 1,200...
. It is fed by Oyster Bayou
Oyster Bayou
-References:**USGS Hydrologic Unit Map - State of Texas...
, an important nursery for oysters and shrimp, which runs 23 miles from its source near Winnie
Winnie, Texas
Winnie is a census-designated place in Chambers County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,914 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Winnie is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , all of it land.-Historical development:The town plat was filed in...
through the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
The Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife conservation area along the coast of Texas , west of the town of High Island, Texas. It borders East Bay, part of the Galveston Bay complex, behind Bolivar Peninsula at the Gulf of Mexico....
to its confluence with East Bay, near the bay's easternmost point. At the easternmost point, the combined waters of East Bay Bayou and the Intracoastal Waterway
Intracoastal Waterway
The Intracoastal Waterway is a 3,000-mile waterway along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Some lengths consist of natural inlets, salt-water rivers, bays, and sounds; others are artificial canals...
merge with the bay.