City of Port Arthur
Port Arthur
Location of Port Arthur, Texas
U. S. Census Map
Coordinates: 29°53′6″N 93°56′24″W / 29.885, -93.94
Country	United States
State	Texas
Counties	Jefferson, Orange
Area
- Total	143. Wikipedia talkFeatured lists for an explanation of this and other inclusion tags below -->This list of countries, arranged alphabetically The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The political units and divisions of the United States include The 50 states (four of these being officially styled as Commonwealths) which are typically Texas ( is a state geographically located in the South Central United States and is also known as the Lone Star State. List of Texas county name etymologies|List of Texas county seat name etymologies The state of Texas is divided into 254 counties, more than any other U Jefferson County is a County located in the state of Texas, United States. Orange County is a County of the US state of Texas. In 2000 its population was 84966 Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. 8 sq mi (372. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. 3 km²)
- Land	82. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of 9 sq mi (214. 8 km²)
- Water	60. 8 sq mi (157. 6 km²)
Elevation	7 ft (2 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	57,755
- Density	696. The elevation of a Geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point often the mean sea level. A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume 5/sq mi (268. 9/km²)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
- Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes	77640-77643
Area code(s)	409
FIPS code	48-58820[1]
GNIS feature ID	1384151[2]

Port Arthur is a city in Jefferson County within the Beaumont–Port Arthur metropolitan area of the U.S. state of Texas. The Central Time Zone observes Standard time by subtracting six hours from UTC during standard time ( UTC−6) and five hours during Daylight saving Areas using UTC−6 Single zone countries Belize Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Daylight saving time ( DST UTC−5 is the Time offset used in the North American Eastern Time Zone during Standard time and in the North American Central Time Zone during The ZIP code is the system of Postal codes used by the United States Postal Service (USPS A telephone numbering plan is a plan for allocating Telephone number ranges to countries regions areas and exchanges and to non-fixed telephone networks The map to the right is now clickable click on an area code to go to the page for that code Federal Information Processing Standards ( FIPS) are publicly announced standards developed by the United States Federal government for use by all non-military The Geographic Names Information System ( GNIS) is a database that contains name and locative information about more than two million physical and cultural features located throughout Jefferson County is a County located in the state of Texas, United States. The Beaumont–Port Arthur metropolitan area is defined by the United States Census Bureau as a three-county region in Southeast Texas, east of the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown A US state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of the United States of America that share Sovereignty with the federal government Texas ( is a state geographically located in the South Central United States and is also known as the Lone Star State. The population was 57,755 at the 2000 census.

Geography and History

Port Arthur is located on the western bank of Sabine Lake. Sabine Lake (Lac Sabine is a 90000 acre (364 km² salt water Estuary formed by the confluence of the Sabine River and the Neches River. The Rainbow Bridge across the Neches River connects Port Arthur to Bridge City. The Rainbow Bridge is a Cantilever bridge crossing the Neches River in Southeast Texas (29 The Neches River (pronounced "NAI ches" flows for through east Texas to its mouth on Sabine Lake near the Rainbow Bridge. Bridge City is a city in Orange County, Texas, United States. Port Arthur was founded by Arthur Edward Stilwell in the late 19th century, and was once the center of the largest oil refinery network in the world. Arthur Edward Stilwell ( October 21 1859 &ndash September 26 1928) was the founder of Kansas City Southern Railway. ^[3] In the 1940s there was an influx of middle class African Americans - most of them coming from neighboring towns, this led to what is often referred to as white flight where many whites moved to neighboring towns such as Nederland, Port Neches, and Groves. African Americans or Black Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have origins in any of the black populations of Africa White flight is a term for the demographic trend in which working and Middle-class White people move away from Suburbs Nederland is a city in Jefferson County, Texas, United States. Port Neches is a city in Jefferson County, Texas, United States. By the late 1950s the city was segregated. The African Americans were forced to the west part of town. African Americans or Black Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have origins in any of the black populations of Africa There the city built the Carver Terrace housing unit for low income Blacks. By the 1970s Blacks were able to purchase homes on the other side of the KCS Railroad and many Black families expanded through other parts of the city. By 2006 census 60% of the city is now Black. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.

Port Arthur produced singing legend Janis Joplin and Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson. Janis Lyn Joplin ( January 19, 1943  – October 4, 1970) was an American singer songwriter and music arranger from The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference (NFC in the National Jimmy Johnson, Jimmie Johnson or Jim Johnson may refer to Jimmy Johnson (American football (born 1938 Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Currently, Port Arthur's profile has risen on the hip-hop scene with the emergence of the rap group UGK and influential hip hop producer DJ Premier. Hip hop is a cultural movement which developed in New York City in the 1970s primarily among African Americans and Latinos. UGK (short for Underground Kingz) a hip-hop act from Port Arthur Texas was formed in 1987 by the late Chad " Pimp C " Butler Both members of UGK, Bun B and the late Pimp C, are from Port Arthur and often refer to their hometown in their songs. Bernard Freeman, better known by his Stage name Bun B, is a rapper and one half (with the late Pimp C) of Southern hip hop act UGK Chad Butler ( December 29, 1973 &ndash December 4, 2007) better known by his Stage name Pimp C, was an American rapper

The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway runs past the city, separated from Sabine Lake by Pleasure Island. See also Intracoastal Waterway The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is the portion of the Intracoastal Waterway located along the Gulf Coast of the The 18. 5 mile man-made island was created from dredged material from 1899 and 1908 Corps of Engineers projects

Port Arthur is located at 29°53′6″N, 93°56′24″W (29. Dredging is an Excavation activity or operation usually carried out at least partly underwater in shallow seas or Fresh water areas with the purpose of The United States Army Corps of Engineers ( USACE) is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 34600 Civilian and 650 Military personnel 884864, -93. 939902)^[4].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 143. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title) is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census 8 square miles (372. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. 3 km²), of which, 82. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of 9 square miles (214. 8 km²) of it is land and 60. 8 square miles (157. 6 km²) of it (42. 32%) is water.

Big Arthur crane

Delta Queen moored in front of City Hall.

Climate

Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 57,755 people, 21,839 households, and 14,675 families residing in the city. A census is the procedure of acquiring information about every member of a given population The population density was 696. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume 5 people per square mile (268. 9/km²). There were 24,713 housing units at an average density of 298. 0/sq mi (115. 1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 20. 02% White, 43. 70% African American, 0. 45% Native American, 5. 89% Asian, 0. 02% Pacific Islander, 8. 88% from other races, and 2. 06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25. 45% of the population.

There were 21,839 households out of which 33. 2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42. 6% were married couples living together, 19. NOTICE TO WOULD-BE ROMEOS ************** 7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32. 8% were non-families. 29. 4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13. 6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2. 61 and the average family size was 3. 25.

In the city the population had 28. 7% under the age of 18, 9. 7% from 18 to 24, 26. 2% from 25 to 44, 19. 9% from 45 to 64, and 15. 5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 91. 1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86. 8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,455, and the median income for a family was $32,143. Males had a median income of $30,915 versus $21,063 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,183. Per capita income means how much each individual receives in monetary terms of the yearly income generated in the country About 22. 9% of families and 25. 2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35. The poverty threshold, or poverty line, is the minimum level of Income deemed necessary to achieve an adequate Standard of living in a given country 2% of those under age 18 and 14. 4% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Communities in Port Arthur include:

• Griffing Park
• Lakeview
• Pear Ridge
• Port Acres
• Sabine Pass

Education

Most of the City of Port Arthur is served by the Port Arthur Independent School District. Griffing Park is an area of Port Arthur, Texas, United States that used to be a separate city in Jefferson County. Lakeview is an area of Port Arthur, Texas, United States that used to be a distinct unincorporated community in Jefferson County. Pear Ridge is an area of Port Arthur, Texas, United States that used to be a separate city in Jefferson County. Port Acres is an area of Port Arthur, Texas, United States that used to be a distinct unincorporated community in Jefferson County Sabine Pass is a neighborhood of Port Arthur, Texas, United States. Port Arthur Independent School District is a public School district based in Port Arthur, Texas ( USA)

The portion around Southeast Texas Regional Airport is served by the Nederland Independent School District. Southeast Texas Regional Airport, abbreviated as SETRA, is a public Airport located near Port Arthur Texas, United States, nine miles Nederland Independent School District is a public School district based in Nederland, Texas ( USA)

The Sabine Pass community is served by the Sabine Pass Independent School District. Sabine Pass is a neighborhood of Port Arthur, Texas, United States. Sabine Pass Independent School District is a public School district in Sabine Pass, a community in Port Arthur, Texas ( USA)

Transportation

The Southeast Texas Regional Airport in Port Arthur serves Beaumont and Port Arthur. Southeast Texas Regional Airport, abbreviated as SETRA, is a public Airport located near Port Arthur Texas, United States, nine miles Beaumont is a city in and the County seat of Jefferson County, Texas, United States, within the Beaumont&ndash Port Arthur Metropolitan

Economy

After decades of stagnation and neglect in the area economy, Port Arthur is in the early stages of an economic boom. Several large projects involving the energy infrastructure are underway or proposed, the two largest being the Golden Pass and Sabine Pass LNG terminals. The Golden Pass is a train line in the Swiss Alps which connect Montreux to Lucerne. Sabine Pass is the natural outlet of Sabine Lake into the Gulf of Mexico. Not to be confused with Natural Gas Liquids (NGL Liquefied natural gas or LNG is Natural gas (primarily Methane, CH4 These separate projects under construction in neighboring Sabine Pass have brought cumulative initial investments of $2 billion, and will employ thousands at peak construction.

Home to a large chunk of United States refining capacity, Port Arthur is now seeing renewed investment in several key installations. Motiva Enterprises is undertaking a major addition to its western Port Arthur refinery, expanding capacity to 600,000 barrels per day ^[5]. Motiva Enterprises LLC, is a 50-50 joint venture between Shell Oil Company (the American wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell) and Saudi Refining This $3. 6 billion project is the largest US refinery expansion to occur in 30 years ^[6]. Premcor Refining recently completed a $775 million expansion of its petrochemical plant, and BASF/Fina commenced operations of a new $1. 75 billion gasification and cogeneration unit on premises of it's current installation, which had just completed its own $1 billion upgrade.

port activity

Long past its heyday in the early 1900's, successive waves of economic recession have delivered a nearly vacant, boarded up, and sometimes dangerous central business district. The Hotel Sabine, the tallest building in Port Arthur, was abandoned and purchased by the city. An attempt to sell the building failed in 2005, with no interested buyers. Hurricane Rita struck a direct hit on the Proctor Street Seawall, and damaged many downtown businesses and homes. As economic activity picks up in the region, calls for downtown revitalization have been advanced ^[7][8]. The true center of commercial activity has gravitated towards the junction of US 69 and Texas 365, with larger white-collar businesses moving to downtown Beaumont. US Route 69 is a north-south United States highway. When it was first created it was only long but it has since been expanded into a Minnesota to Texas As of 2008, the last downtown banking establishment, Capital One will relocate to Texas 365, which coincides with the closing of the last pharmacy, Walgreens, and the last grocery store, Lucky 7. Capital One Financial Corp ( is a McLean Virginia -based Bank holding company specializing in Credit cards, home loans, Auto loans Walgreen Co ( d/b/a Walgreens (without an Apostrophe) is a leading Pharmacy chain, mail service and pharmacy benefit manager Several municipal and county offices have moved in to fill the void.

Air Pollution

Port Arthur also has a significant air pollution problem that some believe has an impact on the health of its residents. Air pollution is the human introduction into the atmosphere of Chemicals Particulate matter, or Biological materials that cause harm or discomfort Others have had no signs, symptoms or problems related to local air pollution. There are 4 large industrial complexes in the southern part of the city. These factories can have upsets, incidents where a dangerous situation at the plant necessitates the release of thousands of pounds of air toxins, often volatile organic compounds or nitrogen oxides, the two major contributors to ground-level ozone. This article describes a highly specialized aspect of its subject in the "Terminology and legal definitions" section The term nitrogen oxide typically refers to any Binary compound of Oxygen and Nitrogen, or to a mixture of such compounds Nitric OZONE is an object oriented Operating system written in the C programming language. ^[9] The chemicals are run through flares that incinerate almost all of the substance through combustion, but still emit dangerous amounts. gas flare or flare stack is an elevated vertical stack or Chimney found on Oil wells or oil rigs, and in refineries Combustion or burning is a complex sequence of Exothermic chemical reactions between a Fuel and an Oxidant accompanied by the production of The high incidences of asthma and cancer among residents in western Port Arthur is often attributed to the frequency and magnitude of the upsets. Asthma is a chronic Condition involving the Respiratory system in which the airways occasionally constrict become inflamed, and are Cancer (medical term Malignant Neoplasm) is a class of Diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled

Hurricane Rita

During the night of 23 September 2005 and through early morning of September 24, 2005, Port Arthur was affected by Hurricane Rita. Events 1122 - Concordat of Worms. 1459 - Battle of Blore Heath, the first major battle of the English Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 622 - Prophet Muhammad completes his hegira from Mecca to Medina. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Hurricane Rita was the fourth-most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded and the most intense Tropical cyclone ever observed in the Gulf of Mexico The hurricane made landfall to the east of the city, and verified wind speeds of 120 mph were recorded. ^[10] The damage was extensive and widespread, including storm surge flooding in Port Arthur's Downtown area. The Proctor Street Seawall held throughout the storm.

Famous natives of Port Arthur

• Jimmy Johnson: Super Bowl and NCAA winning football coach has a Highway in the city in honor named Jimmy Johnson Highway
• Evelyn Keyes (actress) : played Suellen in Gone With the Wind
• Janis Joplin: iconic American singer. James William Johnson (born July 16, 1943) is an American football coach and broadcaster professional American football, the Super Bowl is the Championship game of the National Football League (NFL Jimmy Johnson, Jimmie Johnson or Jim Johnson may refer to Jimmy Johnson (American football (born 1938 Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Evelyn Keyes ( November 20 1916 &ndash July 4 2008) was an American Film actress. Janis Lyn Joplin ( January 19, 1943  – October 4, 1970) was an American singer songwriter and music arranger from
• The late Pimp C & Bun B formed the rap group UGK in Port Arthur. Chad Butler ( December 29, 1973 &ndash December 4, 2007) better known by his Stage name Pimp C, was an American rapper Bernard Freeman, better known by his Stage name Bun B, is a rapper and one half (with the late Pimp C) of Southern hip hop act UGK UGK (short for Underground Kingz) a hip-hop act from Port Arthur Texas was formed in 1987 by the late Chad " Pimp C " Butler
• Stephen Jackson: NBA Basketball Player
• Jonathan Babineaux: NFL player
• Jordan Babineaux: NFL player
• Kevin Everett: Thomas Jefferson High School, University of Miami, Buffalo Bills. Stephen Jesse Jackson (born April 5 1978 in Port Arthur, Texas) is an American professional Basketball player and a co-captain Jonathan Joel Babineaux (born October 12, 1981 in Port Arthur Texas) is an NFL defensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons. Jordan Jude Babineaux (born August 31, 1982 in Port Arthur Texas) is an American football defensive back for the Seattle Seahawks Kevin Everett (born February 5, 1982 in Port Arthur, Texas) is a former American football Tight end who played for Tight End
• Aaron Brown: Univ. Aaron Brown (born November 10, 1948) is an American broadcast journalist most recognized for his coverage of the September 11 2001 attacks of Minn. , NFL Kansas City Chiefs, Super Bowl MVP. High School two-time Basketball All-State, played one year of football and made All-State Fullback.
• Jamaal Charles: University of Texas runningback
• G.W. Bailey: Actor
• Tommy Smiley: Lincoln High School, Lamar University, Cincinnati Bengals. Jamaal RaShaad Charles (born December 27, 1986 in) is an American football Running back for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National George W Bailey (born August 27, 1944 in Port Arthur Texas) is a veteran stage Television and Film Actor.
• Douglas Clark: sculptor
• Marilyn Guidry: author of the cookbook "The Best of Everything"
• Amy Acuff: five-time US Outdoors high jump champion
• Eric Alexander: NFL player
• Clifford Antone: blues club owner
• James Gamble: All-American Basketball in college, SWAC Hall of Fame, street named after him in Port Arthur. Douglas Clark is an American sculptor Native to Edna, Texas, he grew up near Port Arthur. Amy Lyn Acuff (born July 14, 1975, Port Arthur Texas) is an athlete from the United States. The high jump is an Athletics (track and field event in which competitors must jump over a horizontal bar placed at measured heights without the aid of any devices Eric Alexander (born on February 8, 1982 in) is an American football Linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Clifford Antone ( October 27, 1949 in Port Arthur, Texas &ndash May 23, 2006 in Austin, Texas) was James Norris Gamble (1803-1891 was a US -based Irish soapmaker and industrialist
• Harry Gunner: College All-American Football and Basketball in JUCO; MVP of the Hula Bowl; Number 1 in NFL draft, chosen by Cincinnati Bengals; was on the front page of Sports Illustrated.
• Pat "Hawk" Hardy: Martial Artist
• Xavier Hernandez: Baseball player
• Barbara Jacket: Lincoln High Coach, Prairie View Coach, Olympic Coach. Patrick O'Neal Hardy was born June 14, 1949 in Port Arthur Texas. Francis Xavier "The X-Man" Hernandez (born August 16, 1965 in Port Arthur Texas) is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the
• Robert Rauschenberg: artist
• Lee Richards: Lincoln High School, Southern University, No. Godsmack is an American Hard Rock / Alternative Metal band from Lawrence, Massachusetts, formed in 1996 1 baseball draft pick. chosen by St. Louis Cardinals. Was on the front page of Sports Illustrated.
• DJ Premier: Accomplished music producer
• Joe "Joe Boy" Washington: Oklahoma, Redskins, San Diego (How could you forget "Joe Boy"? One of NFL Best Monday Night performances. Christopher Edward Martin (born March 21, 1966) better known as DJ Premier is an American Record producer and DJ, and )
• Ken Webster: actor, director
• "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias: athlete and Olympic gold medalist
• Gerald Williams: State High School Recordholder for most state championships( track and field)
• Sherry Yeager Thorup: Location Manager, Film & Television
• Lynn Jackson: Meteorologist

Notes

External links

• City of Port Arthur, Texas
• Historic Article on Port Arthur (WWII)
• Lots of historical Port Arthur photos

• Port Arthur, Texas is at coordinates 29°53′06″N 93°56′24″W / 29.884864, -93.939902 (Port Arthur, Texas)Coordinates: 29°53′06″N 93°56′24″W / 29.884864, -93.939902 (Port Arthur, Texas)