Happy 60th Anniversary to Clear Lake Shores, the “Yachting Capital of Texas”.

Wow!  Look how far we’ve come.  From the 1800s and the days of the pirates, when Jean Lafitte would anchor and hide his ship in Jarboe Bayou, to the beautiful homes and world-class marinas we have today.  But how did we become the amazing City that we are today?

History states that back in 1926, Arthur and Warren Smadbeck teamed up with the Houston Post Dispatch newspaper to promote and develop the resort colony of Clear Lake Shores.  With the purchase of a subscription to the newspaper, you could purchase a 20’ by 100’ lot for $69.50. Buyers were allowed to buy a lot with $9.50 down and payments of $3.00 per month. Old-timers have passed down a story about one of the lots being given away as a door prize at a dance during the 1930’s because the owner of the lot could not pay his 50 cents annual dues.  Potential buyers gathered at “the clubhouse” in 1927 and all 2400 lots were purchased. Taxes on the properties in 1928 were 15 cents per lot and each home could get an unlimited water supply for $1.00 per month. Newspaper ads assured readers that “values of the property are bound to increase.”

CLS existed as an unincorporated association until December 13, 1962, when it voted to incorporate as a City to fend off encroachment of surrounding towns. CLS has seen many changes, from a time when it was sparsely populated during the Great Depression to what it is today. As of the 2020 census, our city population was 1,197, and has about 1,500 boat slips.  Many residents live on boats in the City’s marinas. Clear Lake Shores has been nicknamed “The Yachting Capital of Texas” because it has more boat slips than people. 

The clubhouse was built in 1927 and is perhaps the oldest public building still in use in Galveston County. 

What started out as a small fishing village of mostly weekend homes has now turned into the vibrant and eclectic community we call home.  One thing that has never changed is that ducks, golf carts, and children will always have the right-of-way and every sunset is celebrated.