* beach pictures * bolivar businesses * local information *
| Bolivar is a narrow peninsula on the
upper Texas coast between the Gulf of Mexico and East Galveston Bay. It
lies in a northeasterly direction separated from Galveston Island by
the Houston Ship Channel and the Bolivar Roads, 3 miles wide. Free Public
Ferries link
the Peninsula with Galveston Island. The Peninsula is called "an offshore sandbar at the eastern end of a chain of islands extending along the Texas and Mexico coasts". The widest point of the Peninsula's 27 miles is between Crystal Beach and Caplen, (about 3 1/2 miles). It is also known as a barrier peninsula. Bolivar Peninsula was named in honor of Simon Bolivar (1783-1836), a freedom leader fighting to free South and Central America from Spanish rule.  The industries of Bolivar
Peninsula are mainly tourism and commercial fishing, concentrating on
harvesting and marketing shrimp, crabs and oysters. Their boats are
docked at the seafood houses, and are a great photo opportunity on a
summer evening.There are five small communities on the peninsula. Port Bolivar, Crystal Beach, Caplen, Gilchrist and High Island, none of which are incorporated. The residents of these communities are members of civic organizations, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Volunteer Fire Department, Emergency Medical Service, A.A.R.P., Lighthouse Krewe, Community Outreach, & Jesse Tree. Crystal Beach has the largest population. It is primarily a resort community catering to summer tourists. There are several hundred beach houses available to rent on a weekly basis from the many real estate companies, or individual home owners. The rental units are all privately owned homes with full kitchens and sleeping facilities for families of any size. You will find a variety of fine restaurants, grocery stores, a bank, water slide, night clubs, gift shops, video stores, convenience stores - even a Golf Course ! |
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| In GALVESTON near Ferry Landing. UTMB Emergency Room Life-Flight 409-772-1521 (local call) |
In WINNIE East on Hwy 87 to Hwy 124. North to Winnie about 30 miles. 409-296-6000 |
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| All Communities Ambulance Service:
911 Crystal Beach Volunteer Fire Dept: 911 Gilchrist Volunteer Fire Dept: 911 Port Bolivar Volunteer Fire Dept: 911 |
Bolivar Peninsula Justice of the
Peace: 409-684-6601 Crystal Beach Medical Clinic: 409-684-3393 Galveston County Sheriff's Dept: 409-684-5000 Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 |