San Leon, Texas
| San Leon, Texas | |
|---|---|
| Census-designated place (CDP) | |
 Location of San Leon, Texas |
|
| Coordinates: 29°29′18″N 94°55′46″W / 29.48833°N 94.92944°WCoordinates: 29°29′18″N 94°55′46″W / 29.48833°N 94.92944°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Galveston |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.2 sq mi (13.4 km2) |
| • Land | 4.9 sq mi (12.6 km2) |
| • Water | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km2) |
| Elevation | 10 ft (3 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 4,970 |
| • Density | 960/sq mi (370/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 77539 |
| Area code(s) | 281 |
| FIPS code | 48-65564 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1346420 |
San Leon is a census-designated place (CDP) in Galveston County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,970 at the 2010 census.
During the early 19th century the pirate Jean Lafitte who ruled Galveston Island established a stronghold at Eagle Point in modern San Leon. Eagle Point went on to become an important shipping and trading post for slaves. A community was established, known as Edward's Point and later North Galveston. When the North Galveston, Houston and Kansas City Railroad was built through the area in 1893 the town began to develop as a commercial center. However, following the hurricanes in 1900 and 1915 the town was devastated and never able to fully recover. Attempts were made in the early 20th century to establish a resort community in the area, but these efforts met with only modest success. Growth and development since this time have been relatively stagnant.
In April 1985 residents of San Leon, Bacliff, and Bayview considered an incorporation proposal to become the City of Bayshore. Judge Ray Holbrook signed an order for the election to take place on April 6, 1985, freeing the area, which had a population of 11,000, from the extraterritorial jurisdiction of League City and Texas City. Residents rejected the incorporation proposal. The vote was tallied with 1,268 against and 399 in favor. Proponents wanted a local police force and the ability to pass ordinances. Opponents said that the tax base was too small to support municipal services including police and road and drainage improvements.
San Leon was not in a 1986 proposal to incorporate that included Bacliff and Bayview. Donna Maples, vice president of the Bacliff - Bayview Community Association, said that historically San Leon had generated most of the opposition to incorporation proposals. She said "In the past, San Leon has shown it is not interested in incorporation. So this time we decided not to include them. They don't have as much in common as we do."
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