Crystal Beach, Texas

Crystal Beach is an unincorporated community in the Bolivar Peninsula census-designated place, in Galveston County, Texas, United States.

Also known as Patton, Crystal Beach stretches 7 miles (10 km) along Texas State Highway 87 in the middle of Bolivar Peninsula.

The pass is named for the practice of ship captains from the days of Spanish rule through Prohibition, who, to avoid the Galveston customs station, rolled barrels of import or export merchandise over that part of the peninsula.

[3] The majority of the area was damaged by a storm surge of over 20 feet,[4] added to the morning high tide, plus higher waves on top.

Officials estimated that 80% of the property owners of Crystal Beach residents were people who vacationed during holidays, summers, and weekends.

[5] Crystal Beach and the entire Bolivar Peninsula suffered catastrophic damage from Hurricane Ike on the night of September 12–13, 2008.

[3] Carl Griffith, an owner of an exotic game ranch and a former Jefferson County sheriff and judge, said that he saw many newly manufactured cars in the debris.

[6] For several days after the hurricane, a rumor swirled, stating that a tiger roamed the streets after Ike hit, as the storm opened an exotic animal compound.

The 56,000 square feet (5,200 m2) building, designed by Bay Architects, is located at Texas State Highway 87 and Helen Drive.

Carter Thompson of the Galveston County Daily News wrote "A slight nautical theme shows up in a lobby that resembles a wheelhouse.

[14] The Galveston County Department of Parks and Senior Services operates the Joe Faggert Community Center at 1760 State Highway 87.