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Home > Travel Texas > Texas Cities > Port Arthur
Port Arthur
Texas is a state located in the Southern and Western regions of the United States of America. The state is second-largest in both area and population behind Alaska and California, respectively. The state's name derives from a word in the Caddoan language of the Hasinai. Texas declared its independence from Mexico in 1836 and existed as the independent Republic of Texas for nearly a decade. Texas is internationally known for its energy and aeronautics industries, and for its ship channel at the Port of Houston, the largest in the U.S. in international commerce and the sixth-largest port in the world.
Port Arthur is a city in Jefferson county within the Beaumont-Port Arthur metropolitan area and is situated in southeast Texas. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city had a total population of 57,755. The Southeast Texas regional airport in Nederland serves Beaumont and Port Arthur.
Port Arthur is located on the western bank of Sabine Lake. The Rainbow Bridge across the Neches River connects Port Arthur to bridge city. 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. Port Arthur experienced an economic decline under the corrupt administration of Mayor J.P. Pink Logan. Pink Logan's regime inspired the clean government movement, established by Logan's primary adversary, W.C. Welch.
The efforts of the clean government movement ultimately led the Texas legislaure to establish the James committee report 1961. The James committee, headed by Dallas representative Tom James, identified corruption and graft at all levels of Port Arthur's municipal government and law enforcement. Unfortunately, the release of the report did not end corruption, rather it merely pushed all of the rackets into the underground.
The city of Port Arthur is served by the Port Arthur independent school district. During the night of 23 September 2005 and through early morning of September 24, 2005, Port Arthur was damaged by the great winds and rain of Hurricane Rita. The damage was extensive and widespread, including flooding in Port Arthur's downtown area.
Port Arthur, justifiably so, enjoys a very positive reputation with worldwide travelers, and is one of the most visited place. It is also said the place of best geographical environment and can trace its origin back to prehistoric times.
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