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First Expansion of Virginia Point -- Construction of a Steel Wagon Bridge

This 1893 map of Virginia Point, with a subdivision map on the verso, provides a detailed layout of the Virginia Point area, of Texas City, in Galveston County. The map, designed and platted by C.A. Diaz, Civil Engineer, delineates numbered blocks and lots, many accompanied by penciled annotations likely indicating sale details or ownership notes. The residence of Walter C. Jones, the original promoter of Virginia Point, is shown at the right.

Oriented with Northeast at the top, the plat is meticulously organized into a grid of blocks and lots, with detailed plans for subdivisions and lot dimensions included at the bottom. On Galveston Bay, three distinct bridges are noted, each associated with one of the major railroads serving the region: the Galveston, Houston & Henderson Railway, the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway, and the Galveston County Bridge.    The newly constructed Steel Wagon Bridge (built in 1893) is alsow shown.

The map also highlights several rail lines converging in the area, emphasizing Virginia Point’s importance in the development of commerce and infrastructure in the Gulf region. The railroads played a key role in transporting goods and passengers between Galveston Island and mainland Texas, underscoring the area's significance during this period. 

Walter C. Jones, the former mayor of Galveston, whose residence is marked on the map, was instrumental in the town's expansion. The reference to the Samuel C. Bundick league in the title refers to the land grant granted to Samuel C. Bundick by the Mexican State of Coahuila and Texas on October 29, 1832.

Virginia Point

Virginia Point played a significant role in the early development of transportation and commerce in Galveston County. The area was part of Stephen F. Austin's third colony, known as the Coast Colony, and gained prominence due to its strategic location as a ferry crossing point. By 1840, a small village had been established, catering to travelers and merchants navigating the Gulf Coast.

The arrival of the Galveston, Houston, and Henderson Railroad (GH&H) in 1856 marked a turning point for Virginia Point. The railroad connected Galveston to Houston, with trains reaching Houston by January 8, 1859. Before the completion of the railroad bridge to Galveston Island in 1860, freight and passengers had to be ferried across the bay, creating a bustling hub of activity. Judge William J. Jones, a prominent cotton planter and owner of a local cotton mill, was a key promoter of the railroad's development. The completion of the 10,000-foot causeway on February 6, 1860, allowed trains to cross directly to Galveston. 

During the Civil War, Virginia Point's strategic location made it a focal point of Confederate defenses along the Gulf Coast. The Union Navy's blockade of Galveston Island forced Confederate forces to fortify Virginia Point and the railroad connections between Galveston and Houston. On October 8, 1862, after an initial skirmish with Union forces, Confederate troops, under Colonel Joseph J. Cook, withdrew from Galveston to Virginia Point. They remained stationed there until Major General John B. Magruder’s recapture of Galveston on January 1, 1863. 

The post-war period saw Virginia Point rebuilding and expanding its role as a transportation hub. The hurricane of October 3, 1867, destroyed the original railroad bridge, but ferry services quickly resumed, and the bridge was rebuilt. By 1875, two wooden railroad bridges connected Virginia Point to Galveston Island, facilitating the growth of commerce and travel. The Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Railway constructed the second bridge, further boosting the town’s prominence.

In the 1880s and 1890s, major railroad companies expanded their operations through Virginia Point. The C.P. Huntington Syndicate acquired property in the area in 1883, integrating it into broader plans to make Galveston a major port. In 1892, the Southern Pacific Railroad acquired and operated the North Galveston, Houston, and Kansas City Railroad, which included a third bridge connecting Virginia Point to North Galveston.

In 1893, Galveston County constructed a steel wagon bridge, accommodating growing traffic demands. That same year, Walter C. Jones, owner of Virginia Point, announced plans to develop the townsite further, reflecting optimism about the area's potential. 

The hurricanes of 1900 and 1915 devastated Virginia Point, disrupting its growth and erasing much of the community. The 1900 hurricane, one of the deadliest in U.S. history, swept away bridges and nearly all of Virginia Point's infrastructure.  The community briefly revived as a destination for recreation, with hotels and fishing facilities attracting visitors from Houston and nearby military bases. However, the hurricane of 1915 caused further destruction, leaving only a watchtower and two storage buildings as remnants of the once-thriving settlement.