History of Kemah

History of Kemah

Located on State Highway 146, Kemah overlooks Galveston Bay and is 25 miles northwest of Galveston in northeastern Galveston County. Originally known as "Evergreen," the community was established on the Texas and New Orleans Railroad circa 1898. 

The town changed its name to Kemah, a Karankawa word meaning "facing the winds," for its position on the bay when the post office opened in 1907 because the former name was already in use by another community. 

By 1914, Kemah had a population of 200 and consisted of four hay producers, farm homes, summer homes belonging to residents of Galveston and Houston, and several fishing camps. During the Great Depression, the population dropped to 100. 

In 1936, state highway maps showed a church, a school, several businesses, and multiple dwellings at the town site. World War II brought growth to a population of 550 by 1943. This number held steady until 1965, during which time the town had a maximum of thirty businesses primarily serving the oil and ship-building industries. Kemah had incorporated and become part of the Clear Creek Consolidated Independent School District by then. 

In 1970, Kemah reached its highest population, with 2,000 residents. The current population sits at around 1.8 thousand residents. 

Once considered a shrimping town, Kemah continues celebrating an annual Blessing of the Fleet. A thriving waterfront community today, Kemah's biggest attraction and largest employer is the Kemah Boardwalk, owned and operated by Landry's Inc. The 60-acre boardwalk opened in 1998. The city's Lighthouse District sits adjacent to the Boardwalk and contains an eclectic variety of restaurants, bars, boutiques, and entertainment venues.