High Island, Texas

Infobox Settlement
official_name = High Island, Texas
settlement_type = Unincorporated Community
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of High Island, Texas


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Texas
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Galveston

government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title = Settled
established_date = 1845

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 =
area_land_km2 =
area_water_km2 =
area_total_sq_mi = 16.68
area_land_sq_mi = 16.19
area_water_sq_mi = 0.49

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 500
population_density_km2 =
population_density_sq_mi = 29.3

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 11.6
elevation_ft = 38
latd = 29 |latm = 34 |lats = 01 |latNS = N
longd = 94 |longm = 23|longs = 37|longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 77623
area_code = 409
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 48-65564GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1346420GR|3
website =
footnotes =

High Island is an unincorporated area located in Galveston County, Texas. The city is located in the extreme eastern part of the county on Bolivar Peninsula, less than one mile from Chambers county and less than two miles from Jefferson county. As of 2000, 500 people resided in High Island. [cite web|title=HIGH ISLAND, TEXAS |publisher=The Handbook of Texas|url=http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/HH/hlh44.html|accessdate=2008-06-20]

The Houston Audubon Society operates four bird sanctuaries in the area, and the city is a nationally famous destination for birdwatchers particularly from April 1 to May 15. Sea Rim State Park is in nearby Jefferson County, but it is inaccessible by State Highway 87, which has been closed since 1990.

In 2007, Hurricane Humberto made landfall near High Island. 2008 saw Hurricane Ike impact High Island with significant storm surge and winds up to 110 mph (178 km/h).

Geography

High Island lies on the eastern side of Galveston Bay, just inland from the Gulf of Mexico.

Located on the mainland, High Island's name comes from the large salt dome under the area. This salt dome raises the elevation of the area to around 38 feet , giving High Island the highest elevation of any point on the Gulf coast from Mobile, Alabama to the Yucatán Peninsula. The metaphorical "island" (the term island is used to describe other Gulf Coast salt domes, such as Avery Island in Louisiana) has often served to protect its residents from the effects of hurricanes' storm surge.

Education

The High Island Independent School District serves the community.

Birding Tourism

[http://www.houstonaudubon.org/index.cfm/MenuItemID/373.htm The Houston Audubon Society] has 4 sanctuaries at High Island: [http://www.houstonaudubon.org/index.cfm/MenuItemID/371.htm Boy Scout Woods] , [http://www.houstonaudubon.org/index.cfm/MenuItemID/370.htm Smith Oaks] , [http://www.houstonaudubon.org/index.cfm/MenuItemID/368.htm Eubanks Woods] , and [http://www.houstonaudubon.org/index.cfm/MenuItemID/367.htm the S.E. Gast Red Bay Sanctuary] . Boy Scout Woods is the headquarters, which is staffed by volunteers during peak spring migration season from mid-March to mid-May. Smith Oaks is the largest sanctuary and home to the Rookery.

References

External links

* [http://www.houstonaudubon.org/index.cfm?CFID=27919335&CFTOKEN=67253134&MenuItemID=197&MenuGroup=Home Houston Audubon - High Island]
*Gnis|1337706|High Island, Texas