League City’s had many firsts in 50 years

History is full of firsts. For example, during the 1700s, the first known occupants of this land were the Karankawa Indians.

In 1858, the first individual land sale in League City was to Henry Holmes who was in business with A.H. Waterman. Together they used the land to establish a brick yard, the first business in League City.

The first church in the town of Clear Creek, which is now League City, was the Baptist church organized in 1887, with five charter members holding their first meeting in the Clear Creek school house. D.T. Macleod was the pastor in 1896 when the first church building was constructed. It was on Second Street and Colorado.

It is believed the Butler family was the first family to settle in League City. It also is believed the Joseph Arolfo family is League City’s oldest Italian family. The Arolfos came to Clear Creek in 1894.

A few more firsts that occurred in League City in 1894 were the construction of a three-room building to be used as a community school built by John League, a railroad depot built by G.H. & H. Railroad, several small churches, a local newspaper named The Texas Coast Promoter and the first hotel in League City named The International Hotel.

The first grocery store in League City was the J.S. Scott Grocery and General Merchandise Store, and Sanders was the first real estate agency.

In 1894, the first court was held in League City. The first case heard was for cattle rustling.

The first couple to be married in League City was Pearl Perkins and J.S. Scott. Their son Leslie, who was killed in service in World War I, held the distinction of being the first baby born in League City.

The first bank was established in League City in 1910 as well as the first bakery, the first drugstore and the first telephone company.

The first Catholic church, St. Mary’s, was constructed in the town and dedication ceremonies were Dec. 10, 1910. Also in 1910, construction began on the interurban passenger train.

The Lawrence Broom and Mop Co. was established in 1912.

In 1914, the first hospital was established in League City. It was the only one on the mainland. League City had two or three other doctors and at least one more dentist at the time.

The creation of a publicly owned water and sewer facility in 1939 was a great achievement for the city and its residents.

Another first occurred on Jan. 27, 1962. According to the city charter, that was the date of the election for the incorporation of League City. On Jan. 29, 1962, the Galveston County Commissioners Court, the governing body of the election, certified the results of the incorporation election for the City of League City.

Help League City celebrate its 50th anniversary by going to the League City’s 50th anniversary page on Facebook or emailing them at gcpa.2011(at)yahoo.com.

Chris John Mallios, a longtime resident of League City, is writing a series of occasional columns about the history of his hometown. He can be reached at mallios(at)comcast.net.