League City, Texas

League City is a city located in Galveston County, Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown Metropolitan Area. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city had a total population of 45,444.

History

League City was settled former site of a Karankawa Indian village. Three families, the Butlers, Cowarts, and Perkins, are considered to be founding families of the city. The Cowart family settled on a creek now called Cowart's Creek after them (now often called "Coward's Creek"). The Perkins family built on a creek notably lined with magnolia trees, and named it Magnolia Bayou. The Butler family settled inland.

Related Topics:
Karankawa - Indian - Magnolia

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The first resident of the town proper, George W. Butler, arrived from Louisiana in 1873 and settled at the junction of Clear Creek and Chigger Bayou. The area was known as Butler's Ranch or Clear Creek until J. C. League acquired the land from a man named Muldoon on his entering the priesthood. League laid out his town site on Galveston, Houston, and Henderson Railroad, already established in the area. This began a small feud over the name, as Butler was the postmaster. The name was changed serveral times, alternating between Clear Creek and the new League City. In the end, League City was chosen.

Related Topics:
Louisiana - 1873 - Clear Creek

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In 1907, League had two railroad flatcars of live oak trees left by the railroad tracks. These were for the residents to plant on their property. Butler and his son Milby supervised the planting of these trees, now known as the Butler Oaks. Many of them line Main Street to this day.

Related Topics:
1907 - Live oak

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