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Houston - Baytown - Private
Patios, Fitness Center, Pool. Great 1 & 2 BR Apts- Mont Belvieu Apartments is
the perfect place to make your new home. Located just North of I-10 on Highway
146 North, you have quick access to all that Baytown offers.
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Renting an Apartment in Baytown
Baytown is a city located along the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. The city is mostly in Harris County with small portion in Chambers County. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, Baytown had a total population of 66,430 (though a 2004 estimate placed the city's population at 67,321) and is the fourth-largest city within the metropolitan area.The area of Baytown began to be settled as early as 1822. One of its earliest residents was Nathaniel Lynch, who set up a ferry crossing at the junction of the San Jacinto River and Buffalo Bayou. The ferry service that he started is still in operation today, now known as the Lynchburg Ferry. Other early residents of Baytown include William Scott, one of Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred, and Ashbel Smith who owned a plantation in the area.
The city now known as Baytown was originally three separate towns. The first of these was Goose Creek (which was likely once known as Bay Town, and whose name is still reflected in the area's Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District) which dates back to before 1850. This was followed by the rival communities of Pelly in the late 1910s, and East Baytown in the early 1920s. (The "East" in East Baytown was later dropped because it was west of Goose Creek.) Serious talk of merging the three cities began shortly after World War I, but the community of Baytown was opposed to this idea. However, in 1947, the three cities finally agreed to consolidate. The citizens settled on the name Baytown for the new combined city. Baytown as it is known today was officially founded January 24, 1948.
In 1916, the Humble Oil & Refining Company, founded by one-time Texas governor Ross S. Sterling and his associates, built the first offshore drilling operation in Texas (second in the United States). The company later built the Baytown Refinery, which would become one of the largest in the world at its time. Since then, many other refineries have been built in the area. Exxon-Mobil is still one of the major employers in Baytown and now runs over 10 plants in the area.
Another major industry in Baytown began in 1970 when United States Steel opened the Texas Works near the city. The plant was later closed in July 1986 due to a poor economic climate and the decline of American steel in the 1980s.
Because of Baytown's industry, it serves as a central city for several
communities in the Eastern region of Greater Houston including the eastern
portion of Harris County, western Chambers County, Liberty County, Dayton
County. Also, the city is a primary city of the Houston-Sugarland-Baytown MSA.
San Jacinto Mall is a regional shopping mall which opened in 1982 and is one of
the largest shopping malls in the region. However, economic changes in the area
has left the mall largely vacant. The city is also home to major retail
establishments such as Kroger, Target, Lowe's, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, and Best
Buy. The Baytown Sun serves as the region's newspaper.
Baytown is served by the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School
District. Based in Baytown, the district has 14 elementary schools (grades K-5),
5 junior highs (grades 6-8), 2 high schools (grades 9-12), a career center, and
two alternative centers for education. The district serves all of Baytown,
Highlands, outlying areas of East Harris County, and a small portion of West
Chambers County. The two local high schools, Robert E. Lee (opened in 1920's)
and Ross S. Sterling (opened in 1967) have long had a friendly rivalry between
them. Lee High School has the unique distinction of having two campuses as a
result of overcrowding.
Following several years of research and debate, voters passed a $120 million
bond referendum in 2005 to improve present facilities and replace several
existing schools and build new ones. Included in this package is a much-needed
third high school (which was included in a 1999 referendum, but never
materialized). Additionally, a new elementary school will be built, with plans
for a 16th elementary to be drawn. One junior high school and one elementary
school are due to be replaced. Lee High school will be reformatted to a smaller
campus and the auxiliary campus will be converted to its original purpose as an
alternative educational center. Additionally, the district will add new
classrooms and improve its football stadium.
Stallworth Stadium is the home for varsity football and soccer for GCCISD as
well as for the annual Bayou Bowl. It seats approximately 16,000 fans, making it
one of the largest high school sports venues in the nation. It is currently
undergoing a renovation of its press box and installation of an artificial turf.
East Harris County and West Chambers County are served by Lee College, a
two-year junior college.
The City of Baytown operates the Sterling Municipal Library. In addition Baytown
residents are served by the Harris County Public Library system.