Page "Galveston County, Texas" Paragraph 2

Galveston County was formally established under the Republic of Texas on May 15, 1838.

The county was formed from territory taken from Harrisburg, Liberty, and Brazoria counties, with governmental organization taking place in 1839.

The island and city of Galveston was by far the most important population center.

The city of Galveston was the republic's largest city and its center of commerce and culture.

Port Bolivar on the Bolivar Peninsula was a port of secondary importance.

Other development in the area was initially mostly ranching interests and small farming communities.

Texas soon joined the United States and Galveston's importance continued to grow as it came to dominate the worldwide cotton trade.

As railroads between Galveston, Harrisburg, Houston and other towns were built during the 19th century small communities grew up along the rail lines.

Nevertheless, Galveston still dominated.

At the end of the 19th century a group of investors established Texas City directly across the West Bay from Galveston with the hope of making it a competing port city.

The port began operations just before the turn of the 19th to 20th century.

Map of Galveston County in 1879