surf side 2

pre- 1821 Karankawa Indians Inhabit the area
1821 The schooner "Lively" lands at Velasco with the first colonists.
1831 Customs Port established by Mexico-Named Velasco after a Mexican General of the Era.
1821-1835 25,000 settlers enter Texas through the port
1832 Battle of Velasco
1834 Cholera epidemic reduces the population to 100
1836 Santa Anna signs the Treaty of Velasco marking the end of the Texas Revolution-Velasco is temporary Capitol of Texas
1838 Velasco is a thriving community with hotels,schools, warehouses and a racetrack. Riverboats connected the city to Galveston and New Orleans for trade and travel.
1856 The Intracoastal Canal to Galveston Bay is completed diverting commerce from Velasco.
1861-1865 Velasco became a Confederate stronghold throughout the Civil War
1875 Hurricane destroys Velasco
1880 Velasco's population is reported as 50.
1891 Town is replated, electric connected, railroad built and over 1million dollars in property sold.
1899 Population is reported at 3,000.
1900 Disaster strikes when 1900 Hurricane destroys Velasco along with her sister city Galveston.
1914 With a population of 1,000 the city was slowly rebuilding.
1935 The diversion of the Brazos river revives economy after population drops to 400.
1940 City is incorporated. Population is now 900.
1950 Following WWII and the construction of the chemical plants the population increases to 5,200.
1957 Velasco was incorporated with Freeport.
1961 Hurricane Carla strikes the island with devastating results.
1975 Surfside Beach becomes it's own Village seperating form Freeport.
1983 Hurricane Alicia strikes, burns down Coast Guard Station, leaving only boathouse.
1991 Coast Guard Boathouse is moved and officially becomes Village of Surfside Beach City Hall.
2008 Hurricane Ike strikes Surfside Beach.