Port Arthur, Texas

Port Arthur, Texas, is situated on Sabine Lake, near the Gulf of Mexico. The city is 18 miles (29 kilometers) southeast of Beaumont and 90 miles (145 kilometers) east of Houston. Port Arthur is part of Jefferson County, and is home to 57,755 residents.

Port Arthur was founded in the late 19th century, and named after financier Arthur E. Stilwell. It is a major center for oil refining and shipping. In 2005, the city sustained damage from Hurricane Rita, but has made major strides in repair and restoration.

The Museum of the Gulf Coast offers a comprehensive look at the region's history, with exhibits ranging from Native American culture and the Civil War to fine art and artifacts from around the world. The museum also highlights famous residents, including Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson, and musicians Janis Joplin, George Jones, Harry James, and JP "The Big Bopper" Richardson.

The Sabine Pass Battleground State Park and Historic Site commemorates a Civil War battle fought on September 8, 1863. With less than 50 soldiers and six cannons, Company F of the Texas Heavy Artillery miraculously defeated a Union fleet of four gunboats and seven troop transports, and saved Texas from invasion.

Port Arthur is ethnically and culturally diverse. Mexican and European immigrants played a role in the community's development from the very beginning, and modern-day Port Arthur has substantial African-American, Vietnamese, and Hispanic populations. This diversity is reflected in the city's homes and houses of worship. A short-list of must-see historic sites include Rose Hill Manor, the Pompeiian Villa, and the Vuylsteke Dutch Home. For some spiritual solace, visit the Buu Mon Buddhist Temple, the Vietnamese Queen of Peace Shrine, or the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, which features a 17-foot (five-meter) statue of the Virgin Mary sculpted by Mexico City artist Miguel Angel Macias and Port Arthur artist Douglas Clark.

Ready for some art and culture? The Texas Artists Museum focuses on works produced by Jefferson and Orange county artists, features changing exhibits each month. Lamar State College-Port Arthur has a state of the art Performing Arts Theater, and the university's Carl Parker Multipurpose Center hosts concerts, lectures, and intercollegiate sports games.

For outdoor enthusiasts, life in Port Arthur includes lots of fishing and boating, as well hunting, bird-watching, and other outdoor adventures. The city is also home to three excellent golf courses.

Pleasure Island is a unique outdoor destination. This 3,500-acre (1,416-hectare) island is sandwiched between the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and Sabine Lake, and was constructed from the dredged material produced by Corps of Engineers projects in 1899 and 1908. Nowadays the island feels more like a resort than a construction project, and features yacht club, 18-hole golf course, marina, rental cabins, and many other amenities.

Sea Rim State Park is located along the Gulf of Mexico shoreline, and a great spot for bird and wildlife watching, beach combing, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and other activities. A quick drive brings you to Louisiana's Sabine National Wildlife Refuge, an "internationally important bird area" and attracts 280,000 visitors each year. Lastly, the Gulf of Mexico offers boating, deep-sea fishing, cruises, and the chance to see dolphins frolicking in the surf.

Port Arthur offers abundant recreational opportunities on land and water!

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