Editing Bolivar Peninsula, Texas

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Bolivar Peninsula, Texas
| settlement_type    = [[Census-designated place|CDP]]
| image_skyline      = Bolivar Lighthouse -- Point Bolivar, Galveston, Texas.jpg
| imagesize          = 225
| image_caption      = Point Bolivar Lighthouse
| image_map          = Galveston County BolivarPeninsula.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Bolivar Peninsula, Texas
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Texas]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Texas|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Galveston County, Texas|Galveston]]
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = 
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_total_km2     = 124.7
| area_land_km2      = 110.1
| area_water_km2     = 14.6
| area_total_sq_mi   = 
| area_land_sq_mi    = 
| area_water_sq_mi   = 
<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 2769
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = 
<!-- General information -->
| timezone           = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset         = -6
| timezone_DST       = CDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -5
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 7
| coordinates        = {{coord|29|27|52|N|94|36|28|W|region:US-TX|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = 
| postal_code        = 
| area_code          = 
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 48-09250<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2407877<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2407877}}</ref>
| website            = 
| footnotes          = 
}}
'''Bolivar Peninsula''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɒ|l|ᵻ|v|ər}} {{respell|BOL|i-vər}}) is a [[census-designated place]] (CDP) in [[Galveston County, Texas|Galveston County]], [[Texas]], United States. The population was 2,769 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]. The communities of [[Port Bolivar, Texas|Port Bolivar]], [[Crystal Beach, Texas|Crystal Beach]], [[Caplen, Texas|Caplen]], [[Gilchrist, Texas|Gilchrist]], and [[High Island, Texas|High Island]] are located on Bolivar Peninsula.

==History==
The peninsula was named in 1816 for [[Simón Bolívar]],<ref name="Handbook Texas"/> the famed Venezuelan political leader involved in the independence movements of [[Venezuela]], [[Colombia]], [[Peru]], [[Bolivia]], and other Latin American nations.
The pirates/privateers [[Jean Laffite]] and [[Louis-Michel Aury]] each used the Bolivar Peninsula as part of the pirate ''kingdom'' established around the Galveston Bay. The peninsula was part of an overland slave route between [[Louisiana]] and [[Galveston]].<ref name="Handbook Texas"/>
[[James Long (filibuster)|James Long]] based his operations on the peninsula since 1819 with the first establishment of Bolivar Peninsula,<ref name="Tx Historical">{{cite web | url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hgp08 | title=PORT BOLIVAR, TX | publisher=Texas State Historical Association | work=Handbook of Texas Online | access-date=2013-06-11 | author=A. Pat Daniels}}</ref> and Fort Las Casas was built in 1820.<ref name="Handbook Texas">{{cite web | url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rrb06 | title=BOLIVAR PENINSULA | publisher=Texas State Historical Association. | work=Handbook of Texas Online | access-date=2013-06-12}}</ref> Samuel D. Parr was responsible for starting the [[Port Bolivar, Texas#History|settlement in 1838]] that would later become Port Bolivar.<ref name="Handbook Texas"/>

The [[Point Bolivar Lighthouse]] (which is now privately owned and not open to the public) has an important history with the peninsula, built in 1872. The lighthouse is located on the western end of the peninsula, directly across from Fort Travis  seawolf Park. Fort Travis in Bolivar Peninsula, a separate facility from Fort Travis in Galveston, was built with construction starting in 1898.<ref name="Crystal Beach" /><ref>{{cite web | url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/eqg20 | title=GULF AND INTER-STATE RAILWAY | publisher=Texas State Historical Association | work=Handbook of Texas Online | access-date=2013-06-11 | author=Wooster, Robert}}</ref>
The North [[Jetty]], extending from Bolivar Peninsula, of the entrance to Galveston Bay started being constructed in 1874.<ref name="Handbook Texas"/>
From 1896 to 1942, the Gulf & Interstate, a subsidiary of Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway, connected Beaumont to Galveston Island with aid of [[train ferry|train ferries]].<ref name="Crystal Beach">{{cite web | url=http://www.crystalbeach.com/travismarker.jpg | title=Fort Travis | publisher=Texas Historical Commission | access-date=2013-06-11}}</ref>
At one time the Bolivar Peninsula was called the "breadbasket of Galveston" and the "watermelon capital of Texas".<ref name="Handbook Texas"/>

[[Crystal Beach, Texas#History|Crystal Beach]] was incorporated from 1971 until 1987, and it has been the most populated community of the Bolivar Peninsula.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hvcba | title=Crystal Beach, TX | publisher=Texas State Historical Association | work=The Handbook of Texas Online | access-date=2013-06-12 | author=Daniels, Pat}}</ref>
On April 23, 1991, communities of Bolivar Peninsula received an enhanced [[9-1-1]] system which routes calls to proper dispatchers and allows dispatchers to automatically view the address of the caller.<ref>"[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1991_778715 News briefs]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Tuesday April 23, 1991. A14.</ref> The Bolivar Peninsula suffered heavy damage from [[Effects of Hurricane Ike in Texas|Hurricane Ike]] that made landfall on the Texas coast on September 13, 2008.

==Geography==
The Bolivar Peninsula forms a very narrow strip of land in [[Galveston County, Texas|Galveston County]], separating the eastern part of [[Galveston Bay]] from the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. Its narrowest point is a quarter of a mile and is near the unincorporated community of [[Gilchrist, Texas|Gilchrist]], where the peninsula was divided by [[Rollover Pass]].
[[File:BolivarPeninsulaTXMap.gif|upright=1.6|thumb|center|Bolivar Peninsula as census-designated place (CDP)]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP has a total area of {{convert|124.7|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|110.1|km2|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|14.6|km2|order=flip}}, or 11.7%, is water.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Bolivar Peninsula CDP, Texas |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 11, 2012 }}</ref>

== Communities ==
While every community on the Bolivar Peninsula is [[Unincorporated area|Unincorporated]], [[Crystal Beach, Texas|Crystal Beach]], formerly known as Patton, was an [[Incorporated community]] from 1971 until 1987.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Association |first=Texas State Historical |title=Crystal Beach, TX |url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/crystal-beach-tx#:~:text=The%20town%20was%20incorporated%20in,was%20not%20incorporated%20in%201990. |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=Texas State Historical Association |language=en}}</ref>

=== Unincorporated Communities ===

* [[Caplen, Texas|Caplen]]
* [[Crystal Beach, Texas|Crystal Beach]]
* [[Gilchrist, Texas|Gilchrist]]
* [[High Island, Texas|High Island]]
* [[Port Bolivar, Texas|Port Bolivar]]

==Demographics==
:''Note: Information prior to September 2008's [[Hurricane Ike]] may be significantly different from current information.''

{{US Census population
|2000=3853
|2010=2417
|2020=2769
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=}}</ref><br> 1850–1900<ref name=1900CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1900 Census of Population - Population of Texas By Counties And Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/bulletins/demographic/49-population-tx.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1910<ref name=1910CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1910 Census of Population - Supplement for Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-tx-p1.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1920<ref name=1920CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1920/bulletins/demographics/population-tx-number-of-inhabitants.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1930<ref name=1930CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1930 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-1/03815512v1ch10.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1940<ref name=1940CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch09.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br>
1950<ref name=1950CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-46.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1960<ref name=1960CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/33255142v1p45ch02.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1970<ref name=1970CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/00496492v1p45s1ch02.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1980<ref name=1980CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1980/volume-1/texas/1980a_txab-01.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1990<ref name=1990CensusTX>{{Cite web|title=1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cph-2/cph-2-45.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 2000<ref name=2000CensusTX>{{Cite web|title=2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-45.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 2010<ref name=2010CensusTX>{{Cite web|title=2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-45.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 
}}
===2020 census===

{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Bolivar Peninsula racial composition'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4809250&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><br /> (NH = Non-Hispanic){{efn|Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.<ref>{{cite web |title=About the Hispanic Population and its Origin |url=https://www.census.gov/topics/population/hispanic-origin/about.html |website=www.census.gov |access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref>}}
!Race
!Number
!Percentage
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|2,289
|82.67%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|16
|0.58%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|19
|0.69%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|27
|0.98%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|4
|0.14%
|-
|Some Other Race (NH)
|8
|0.29%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed/Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|86
|3.11%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]]
|320
|11.56%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''2,769'''
|
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 2,769 people, 1,286 households, and 815 families residing in the CDP.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 3,853 people, 1,801 households, and 1,138 families residing in the CDP. The population density was {{convert|85.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 5,425 housing units at an average density of {{convert|120.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.69% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.47% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.80% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.57% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 2.80% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.66% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 6.96% of the population.

There were 1,801 households, out of which 18.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.65.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 17.0% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 20.7% from 25 to 44, 35.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $34,235, and the median income for a family was $42,448. Males had a median income of $36,477 versus $24,519 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the CDP was $26,137. About 8.3% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 13.4% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
[[File:CrenshawSchoolK8Texas.JPG|thumb|Crenshaw Elementary and Middle School, K-8]]
Bolivar Peninsula residents are divided between the [[Galveston Independent School District]] and the [[High Island Independent School District]].<ref>"[http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/sch_dist/st48_tx/c48167_galveston/DC10SD_C48167_001.pdf SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Galveston County, TX]." [[U.S. Census Bureau]]. Retrieved on January 4, 2015.</ref>

The western portion of the Bolivar Peninsula, including the unincorporated communities of [[Port Bolivar, Texas|Port Bolivar]]<ref name=oldbolivar>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20010422180134/http://www.gisd.org/district_schools/main.htm schools]." [[Galveston Independent School District]]. April 22, 2001. Retrieved on January 5, 2015. "Bolivar School Madison Avenue Pt. Bolivar, TX "</ref> and [[Crystal Beach, Texas|Crystal Beach]],<ref name=Thompson>Thompson, Carter. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20030402160146/http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?WCD=8208 Board sets aside money for work on new school]" (). ''[[The Galveston County Daily News]]''. February 27, 2003. Retrieved on January 5, 2015. "The existing school — made up of two campuses about a half-mile apart — have been a sore spot for many residents who felt the district was shortchanging the peninsula. The peninsula generates about $3 million revenue from local property taxes and state contributions to the district. Some residents responded through the years by sending their kids to the neighboring High Island Independent School District."</ref> are within the Galveston Independent School District. That portion is served by the Pre-K-8 Crenshaw Elementary and Middle School, located on the peninsula, and [[Ball High School]] (9-12), located on the island of [[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]].<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20010425085502/http://www.gisd.org/attendance_overview/main.htm attendance zones]" (). [[Galveston Independent School District]]. January 5, 2015. "GISD students residing on the Bolivar Peninsula attend Bolivar School for grades K-8 and Ball High School for grades 9-12."</ref> The current Crenshaw building, in Crystal Beach,<ref name=Thompson/> opened in 2005.<ref>"[http://www.gisd.org/crenshaw/lib/crenshaw/Crenshaw_School.pdf?1641Nav= &NodeID=80 Crenshaw School Profile]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}." ''[[Galveston Independent School District]]''. Retrieved on November 30, 2008.</ref> Prior to the opening of the current campus, the previous facility consisted of two separate buildings,<ref name=Thompson/> in [[Port Bolivar, Texas|Port Bolivar]].<ref name=oldbolivar/> {{As of|2020}} there are no particular attendance boundaries in GISD so parents may apply to any school they wish, but only Bolivar Peninsula residents may have school bus service to Crenshaw K-8.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gisd.org/schoolsofchoice|title=Schools of Choice|publisher=[[Galveston Independent School District]]|accessdate=2021-04-22|archive-date=April 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422080414/https://www.gisd.org/schoolsofchoice|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The eastern portion of the peninsula, including the unincorporated communities of [[Caplen, Texas|Caplen]], [[Gilchrist, Texas|Gilchrist]], and [[High Island, Texas|High Island]], is served by the [[High Island Independent School District]].

As of 2003 some residents of the GISD portion sent their children to HIISD, and some residents of the GISD portion expressed a belief that the district was not giving fair treatment to their area schools despite the tax money they pay.<ref name=Thompson/>

Both GISD and HIISD (and therefore the entire peninsula) are assigned to [[Galveston College]] in [[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]].<ref>Texas Education Code, Section 130.179, "[http://law.onecle.com/texas/education/130.179.00.html Galveston College District Service Area] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211025734/http://law.onecle.com/texas/education/130.179.00.html |date=2009-02-11 }}".</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
The Galveston County Department of Parks and Senior Services operates the Joe Faggard Community Center at 1760 [[Texas State Highway 87|State Highway 87]] in the [[Crystal Beach, Texas|Crystal Beach]] area and the [[Fort Travis Seashore Park]].<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20050831193515/http://www.galvestonparks-seniors.org/locations/ls_overview.asp Facilities Overview]}}." ''Galveston County Department of Parks and Senior Services''.</ref>

The community holds a [[Mardi Gras]] celebration along [[Texas State Highway 87]] each year. Many people and groups, including beach bars, politicians, and school groups have [[krewe]]s in the celebration. Brittanie Shey of the ''[[Houston Press]]'' described the celebration as a "small town parade."<ref>Shey, Brittanie. "[http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2010/02/texas_traveler_bolivar_mardi_g.php Texas Traveler: Bolivar Mardi Gras]." ''[[Houston Press]]''. Tuesday February 16, 2010. Retrieved on February 18, 2010.</ref>

==Transportation==
The [[Texas Department of Transportation]] provides [[ferry]] service from [[Port Bolivar, Texas|Port Bolivar]] at the western end of the Bolivar Peninsula to [[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]]. During the non-tourist season, there is only a tentative daily schedule for this service, running approximately every thirty minutes from either side during daylight hours and once an hour after nightfall. Boats will depart the landing from any given side on the captain's prerogative. During tourist season and on occasion of holiday weekends and large events on the island of Galveston (only) the boats have been known to run as quickly as every fifteen minutes departing both sides every twenty minutes at most. On these occasions, the ferry service may have as many as five boats in the water, compared to three during the off-season. There was a proposal to build the [[Bolivar Bridge]] to connect Galveston Island to Bolivar Peninsula, but it has been canceled.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.galvestondailynews.com/news/article_bc0e9bdb-3496-5feb-98fe-0a0e438e604c.html | title=Bolivar Bridge Goes Nowhere | publisher=Galveston County - The Daily News | date=July 8, 2007 | access-date=2013-06-12}}</ref>

{{multiple image
| align             = center
| width             = 250
| direction         = horizontal
| image_style       = border:none;
| caption_align     = center
| image_gap         = 8
| header            = Bolivar Peninsula, Texas
| image1            = FortTravis.jpg|thumb|Fort Travis on Bolivar Peninsula
| alt1              = Fort Travis Seashore Park
| caption1          = Fort Travis at Bolivar Peninsula
| image2            = Bolivar Ferry.jpg
| alt2              = Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry known as Dewitt C. Greer vessel
| caption2          = Photo of Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry
}}

==Highways==
*{{jct|state=TX|TX|87}}

==Hurricane Ike==
[[File:BolivarReconsFlag - 22809(40).JPG|thumb|Damage, Reconstruction, and Memorial - Feb 28 2009]]

At 7:10 UST on September 13, 2008 (2:10 am local), [[Hurricane Ike]] made landfall at the east end of [[Galveston Island, Texas]], as the largest [[North Atlantic hurricane]] in recorded history.<ref>[http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/reports/billionz.html NOAA - National Climatic Data Center (U.S. Department of Commerce)]</ref> At the height of the storm, Ike's cloud mass essentially covered the entire Gulf of Mexico. The Wind and Surge Destructive Potential Classification Scale, which was detailed in Tropical Cyclone Destructive Potential by Integrated Kinetic Energy (by Dr. Mark Powell and Dr. Tim Reinhold, April 2007) offers a new way to assess hurricane size and strength by calculating the total kinetic energy contained in a 1-meter deep horizontal slice of the storm at an elevation of 10 meters above the land or ocean surface. Using this type of calculation, the integrated kinetic energy was calculated for Ike and was found to be 25 percent greater than the comparable maximum estimate for [[Hurricane Katrina]] in 2005.<ref>[http://www.disastersafety.org/resource/resmgr/pdfs/hurricane_ike.pdf Ike Wind and Surge Destructive Potential] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007020009/http://www.disastersafety.org/resource/resmgr/pdfs/hurricane_ike.pdf |date=2009-10-07 }}</ref><ref name="Wwweenewsnetpublicfeaturesdocument_cw_pdfDestruction">[http://www.eenews.net/public/25/12353/features/.../09/.../document_cw_01.pdf Destruction of the Peninsula]</ref>

Hurricane Ike caused [[wikt:cataclysmic|cataclysmic]] destruction of the peninsula, reducing the region to rubble and causing severe, permanent change in the shoreline. Entire communities along the upper Texas coast were simply wiped out by Ike's catastrophic storm surge.<ref>[http://weatherblog.abc13.com/2008/09/ikes-aftermath.html Houston Weather: Ike's Aftermath]</ref> Ike's effects were disproportionally felt near the long, low-lying Bolivar Peninsula which has typical elevations around 2&nbsp;m. Despite being only a strong category 2 storm with maximum winds at landfall of 95 knots (49&nbsp;m/s, Berg, 2009), Ike's extremely large, long-lasting surge and waves devastated the peninsula.<ref name="Wwweenewsnetpublicfeaturesdocument_cw_pdfDestruction" /> In [[Gilchrist, Texas]], NOAA aerial photography reveals complete destruction. The Rollover Pass bridge was reduced to one lane. Of the 1,000 buildings in Gilchrist, 99.5% of them were knocked off of their foundations. Of the buildings off of the foundations, the storm demolished some and washed others onto swamplands behind Gilchrist.<ref>Connelly, Richard. "[http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2008/09/goodbye_gilchrist.php Goodbye, Gilchrist] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524005036/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2008/09/goodbye_gilchrist.php |date=May 24, 2011 }}." ''[[Houston Press]]''. September 17, 2008.</ref>

The Bolivar Peninsula was just to the right of landfall, placing it on the strong side of the hurricane. H Wind reconstructions (Powell et al., 1998) show winds blowing strongly from offshore-to-onshore for most of the [[tropical cyclone|storm]], which acted to increase both [[storm surge|surge]] and [[wave]]s. Surge is extremely important for the particular case of the Bolivar Peninsula, as it allowed large waves to penetrate inland into areas they could not otherwise have reached. Shoreline erosion was around 75&nbsp;m, which undermined the piled foundations of oceanfront buildings.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.economics.noaa.gov/?goal=weather&file=events%2Ferosion&view=costs |title=Damage, Erosion from Ike |access-date=2018-11-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725192618/http://www.economics.noaa.gov/?goal=weather&file=events%2Ferosion&view=costs |archive-date=2011-07-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Most other houses in this area were reduced to either piles or slabs by large waves riding on surge, with only a very few remaining more or less intact. Peak coastal surges reached {{convert|21|ft|m|adj=on}}. Water depths of at least {{convert|5|ft|m|adj=on}} covered all of the Bolivar Peninsula, with most areas covered by at least {{convert|15|ft|m|adj=on}} of water (not including wave action).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ngs.woc.noaa.gov/ike/AddedInfo.HTM |title=NOAA Info Center |access-date=2009-12-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826171817/http://ngs.woc.noaa.gov/ike/AddedInfo.HTM |archive-date=2009-08-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Much of the southern part of Chambers County was also inundated by at least {{convert|12|ft|m|adj=on}} of water. According to post-storm analyses by both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Hurricane Research Division and Applied Research Associates (ARA), a research and engineering company, the best estimates of 3-second peak wind gusts along the eastern portion of the peninsula were between 110&nbsp;mph and 115&nbsp;mph. Research observations also suggest most of eastern and southeastern Texas was subjected to tropical storm and hurricane-force winds for ten hours, and possibly longer.<ref>[http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hgx/projects/ike08.htm Ike Technical Report]</ref><ref>[http://www.waveworkshop.org/11thWaves/Papers/Kennedy_Paper.pdf Waves, Surge and Damage on the Bolivar Peninsula During Hurricane Ike]</ref>

Cindy Horswell of ''[[McClatchy - Tribune Business News]]''<!--This is the who, do NOT remove the journalist--> said that authorities said that 3,600 structures on the peninsula, 62% of them, were destroyed or severely damaged by Ike's storm surge.<ref name=Horswell>Horswell, Cindy. "Holes left in wake of storms: Ike hit before some Texas communities recovered from Rita." ''[[McClatchy - Tribune Business News]]''. January 19, 2009. Available at [[ProQuest]], document ID 456273366</ref> By January 2009, 40% of Bolivar Peninsula's population had returned. Of the Bolivar Peninsula communities, [[Gilchrist, Texas|Gilchrist]] received the fewest returnees.<ref name=Horswell/>

===Bolivar Peninsula after Ike===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="100">
File:Hurricane Ike Gilchrist damage edit.jpg
<!-- Deleted image removed: File:Roll-over pass6.jpg -->
File:Hurricane Ike Bolivar Peninsula, TX.jpg
</gallery>

==Government and infrastructure==
The [[United States Postal Service]] once operated the Gilchrist Post Office, which opened on September 16, 1950. It closed on July 31, 2010.<ref>"[http://webpmt.usps.gov/pmt014.cfm Postmaster Finder Post Offices by Discontinued Date] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721072304/http://webpmt.usps.gov/pmt014.cfm |date=July 21, 2011 }}." [[United States Postal Service]]. Retrieved on September 23, 2010. "07/31/2010 GILCHRIST TX GALVESTON COUNTY 77617 09/16/1950"</ref>

==Religion==
The [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston]] maintains the Our Lady By The Sea Chapel and Catholic Center in [[Crystal Beach, Texas|Crystal Beach]].<ref name=LomaxBolivarChurches>{{cite web|author=Lomax, John Nova|url=https://www.houstonpress.com/news/this-weeks-cover-story-ire-greets-dedication-of-bolivars-new-catholic-chapel-6730072|title=This Week's Cover Story: Ire Greets Dedication Of Bolivar's New Catholic Chapel|newspaper=[[Houston Press]]|date=2010-09-22|access-date=2020-06-08}}</ref> Its service area is the entire peninsula. This site is a part of the Holy Family Parish, which has other sites on [[Galveston Island]].<ref name=KTRKCathGalvcons>{{cite web|url=https://abc13.com/archive/7108546/|title=Catholic facilities in Galveston consolidate|publisher=[[KTRK-TV]]|date=2009-11-09|access-date=2020-06-08}}</ref>

Our Mother of Mercy Church in [[Port Bolivar, Texas|Port Bolivar]] was established circa 1950<!--2010 - 50 = 1950-->. Crystal Beach formerly had St. Theresa of Liseaux Mission,<ref name=LomaxBolivarChurches/> built in 1994.<ref name=LomaxOurMother>{{cite web|author=Lomax, John Nova|url=https://www.houstonpress.com/news/our-mother-of-mercy-6586346|title=Our Mother of Mercy|newspaper=[[Houston Press]]|date=2010-09-22|access-date=2020-06-08}}</ref> St. Theresa sustained damage during Hurricane Ike in 2008, and due to the damage the archdiocese had it razed. Our Lady By The Sea was built on its site.<ref name=KTRKCathGalvcons/> Our Mother of Mercy was undamaged, but it remained closed after the hurricane and the archdiocese had it demolished anyway.<ref name=KTRKCathGalvcons/>

Between Hurricane Ike and the opening of Our Lady by the Sea, Bolivar residents attended church in Galveston or in [[Winnie, Texas|Winnie]]. John Nova Lomax of the ''[[Houston Press]]'' wrote that the Our Lady church, dedicated in 2010 and on the site of the former St Therese of Lisieux, "effectively consolidates" the two former churches.<ref name=LomaxBolivarChurches/> Residents opposed to the demolition of Our Mother of Mercy expressed a negative reception to the opening of Our Lady by the Sea.<ref name=LomaxBolivarChurches/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{notelist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Texas}}
*[http://www.bolivarchamber.org Bolivar Chamber of Commerce] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713180149/http://www.bolivarchamber.org/ |date=2020-07-13 }}
*[https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rrb06 "Bolivar Peninsula"], ''Handbook of Texas Online''
*[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/18/us/18ike.html?ref=us "Confusion Rules Road in and Out of Galveston"], ''The New York Times'', Sept. 17, 2008
*[https://abc7ny.com/archive/6398156/ "Waste Land, Texas"], WABC, Sept. 18, 2008

{{Galveston County, Texas}}

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[[Category:Peninsulas of Texas]]
[[Category:Landforms of Galveston County, Texas]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Galveston County, Texas]]
[[Category:Galveston Bay Area]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Texas]]
[[Category:Greater Houston]]
[[Category:Hurricane Ike]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Texas]]