Gilchrist

Gilchrist, Texas (center right) on Bolivar Peninsula, southeast of Houston.

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.^[1]

As of 1990 and 2000, Gilchrist's core population was about 750,^[1] but would see more residents due to seasonal visitors.^[1] When the settlement was decimated by Hurricane Ike on September 13, 2008, about 1,000 permanent residents had lived there,^[2] but were under evacuation orders. Several businesses in the community had operated to furnish necessities for permanent residents as well as tourists.

[edit] History

Located in Galveston County, this community was named for Gibb Gilchrist (1887-1972)^[3] who relocated and rebuilt the rail line from High Island to Port Bolivar following the 1915 hurricane destruction.^[1] This settlement before this event was called Rollover.^[1][4]

In 1950, a post office was opened at Gilchrist. A notable feature of the community is the Rollover Pass (or Rollover Fish Pass), which divides Bolivar Peninsula as well as Gilchrist and carries water between East Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. It is regarded among sportsmen as a very popular fishing location in Texas with some the largest fish in the state. Rollover Pass was a natural pass that had been closed until 1955, when it was opened by the Texas Game and Fish Commission as part of its efforts to preserve and improve fish and wildlife resources.^[1]

Hurricane Carla caused damage to Gilchrist.^[5] As of 1990 and 2000, Gilchrist's core population was about 750, but would see more residents due to seasonal visitors.^[1] On April 23, 1991 the community, and other areas of Galveston County, received an enhanced 9-1-1 system which routes calls to proper dispatchers and allows dispatchers to automatically view the address of the caller.^[6]

[edit] Hurricane Ike

Gilchrist after Hurricane Ike.

Gilchrist after Hurricane Ike, showing Rollover Pass that divides Gilchrist.

On September 13, 2008, Gilchrist was devastated by Hurricane Ike,^[7] completely destroyed except for a few homes.^[2] About 1,000 permanent residents had lived there. The coastline along Gilchrist, once a straight line, became jagged and desolate, permanently altered by Ike's turbulent storm tide.^[2]

NOAA aerial photography reveals complete destruction of Gilchrist. The roll-over pass bridge was reduced to one lane. Of the 1,000 buildings in Gilchrist, 99.5% of them were knocked off of their foundations. Of the buildings off of the foundations, the storm demolished some and washed others onto swamplands behind Gilchrist.^[8] Of all of the houses in one section of Gilchrist, one remained standing. Several houses in another section remained. Pam Adams, a homeowner whose house survived Ike, stated that many of Gilchrist's homes were built before the latest building codes were enacted.^[9]

After Hurricane Ike the United States Postal Service temporarily relocated Gilchrist post office box services to Stowell, Texas.^[10]

[edit] Education

Gilchrist residents are zoned to schools in the High Island Independent School District.

[edit] GCA(Gilchrist Community Association)

The purpose of the GCA is to provide civic duties at Rollover Pass on the Bolivar Peninsula in the state of Texas and other civic and community projects to improve and enhance the quality of life for the residents and visitors of Bolivar Peninsula.

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

• "Handbook of Texas Online". Texas State Historical Association. 2002-02-21. pp. pages for GILCHRIST, TX and GIBB GILCHRIST. http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/GG/hlg15.html. Retrieved 2008-09-18. 

[edit] External links

• Gilchrist, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online
• Rollover, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online
• Gilchrist - Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
• 300 people still missing since Ike hit Texas
• USGS GNIS: Gilchrist, Texas

v • d • e Municipalities and communities of Galveston County, Texas County seat: Galveston Cities Bayou Vista | Clear Lake Shores | Dickinson | Friendswood‡ | Galveston | Hitchcock | Jamaica Beach | Kemah | La Marque | League City‡ | Santa Fe | Seabrook‡ | Texas City‡ Village Tiki Island CDPs Bacliff | Bolivar Peninsula | San Leon Unincorporated communities Algoa | Caplen | Crystal Beach | Gilchrist | High Island | Port Bolivar Footnotes ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

Coordinates: 29°30′45″N 94°29′21″W / 29.5125°N 94.48917°W / 29.5125; -94.48917