An anti-administration government was formed and an alternate mayor and council were elected. Shortly after the La Porte Chronicle was moved to East La Porte in 1899, the La Porte Herald was established to serve the citizens of West La Porte. There was a great deal of resentment from the residents of West La Porte (Old Town) about the move. A number of buildings, including the Palace Livery Stable and the Artesian Hotel, were moved to Lobit Street about 1899. Lobit Street became the main business street of East La Porte. Local residents also called them Old Town and New Town. Contemporary maps show them by those names. The area was known as East La Porte and the older part of town was called West La Porte. They started to develop an area just east of the existing town. In July of 1898, a group of New York investors formed the La Porte Improvement Company and purchased the land. In April of 1896, the assets of the La Porte Land and Town Company were taken over by the Galveston firm of Adoue and Lobit. Many of the original settlers left at this time. The national bank panic of 1893 disrupted their plans and by 1895, they were in financial trouble. The developers had borrowed the money to purchase the acreage needed for the new town.
Shortly after, the line was completed to Sylvan Beach. Rechartered in January of 1895 as the Galveston, La Porte and Houston Railway, it was sold under foreclosure to the Galveston, Houston and Northern Railway Company on April 27, 1899. This enabled the prospects to travel by train to Strang and on to La Porte by hack. By 1895, the railroad had laid track on 13 miles of the 22 miles from Houston to La Porte. On October 7, 1892, the La Porte, Houston and Northern Railroad was chartered. The first Post Office was opened in this building on Apwith Mr. Sereau built a general mercantile building on the corner of Main and Third. On January 13, 1892, construction was begun on the huge Artesian Hotel on Main Street to house these prospects.Ī sale of lots was held on January 1, 1892. Excursion trains were organized by Tom Lee and prospects were brought to the area in special trains. A group set up and advertised at the Chicago World’s Fair. Advertising was heavy in New York State and in the Midwest. The strategy of the developers called for them to advertise the wonders of the Gulf Coast Country. The La Porte Land and Town Company began laying out the town in the fall of 1891. John Caplan from Galveston formed a company and bought acreage. Ex governor Thayer of Nebraska joined with the group and formed the Nebraska Syndicate to purchase more land. A 3rd York brother, Edward, was instrumental in forming the La Porte Investment Company which purchased a parcel of land which included the old home of General Sidney Sherman at Sloop Point. After examining the location more closely the investors decided to retain the area at Morgan’s Point for wharfs and warehouses and move the town further inland. They purchased several hundred acres from Allien. Homes formed the La Porte Land and Town Company. Along with Tom Lee, an experienced railroad man, the Yorks and I.R.
0 kommentar(er)
