High Island, Texas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
High Island is an unincorporated area located in Galveston County, Texas. The city is located in the extreme eastern part of the county on Bolivar Peninsula, less than one mile from Chambers county and less than two miles from Jefferson county.[1] As of 1990, 500 people resided in High Island.
The Houston Audubon Society operates four bird sanctuaries in the area, and the city is a nationally famous destination for birdwatchers particularly from April 1 to May 15. Sea Rim State Park is in nearby Jefferson county, but it is inaccessible by State Highway 87, which has been closed since 1990.
[edit] Geography
High Island lies on the eastern side of Galveston Bay, just inland from the Gulf of Mexico.
Located on the mainland, High Island's name comes from the large salt dome under the area. This salt dome raises the elevation of the area to around 40 feet (12 meters), giving High Island the highest elevation of any point on the Gulf coast from Mobile, Alabama to the Yucatán Peninsula. The metaphorical "island" (the term island is used to describe other Gulf Coast salt domes, such as Avery Island in Louisiana) has often served to protect its residents from the effects of hurricanes' storm surge.
[edit] Education
The High Island Independent School District serves the community.
[edit] External links
- High Island, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online
- Houston Audubon - High Island
- List of over 230 bird species seen at High Island
- USGS Entry for High Island, Texas
- First Baptist Church - High Island
