Early History
Freepor's earliest residents can be traced to a skull that is over 3,500 years old. Named "Wilma," her likeness was sculpted from the skull's features.
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The Native American people known as the Karankawa lived along the Gulf Coast for centuries.
Texas Revolution and the Civil War
In 1821, Mexico won its independence from Spain. Now a republic, the young Mexican government promoted American and European immigration into Texas through an empresario system.
Through the 1830s, the Brazos and San Bernard Rivers became avenues of Texian industry. The towns of Quintana and Velasco were established on the east and west sides of the mouth of the Brazos. The Mexican governement built a customs house, port, and Fort Velasco, a circular fortification of palisade poists, used to enforce immigration and customs.
In 1832, Texian rebels attacked the Mexican garrison under Colonel Ugartechea at Fort Velasco; he surrendered the fort the next morning. The Battle of Fort Velasco is considered by some historians to be the opening shots of the Texas Revolution.
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During the American Civil War, a series of dune forts, which continued to carry the names of Fort Quintana and Fort Velasco, protected the mouth of the Brazos river for Confederate interests. Union ships guarded the coastline, bombarded both forts, and engaged with Confederate blockade runners.
Turn of the Century
Around 1900, serveral hurricanes devastated the Texas coast. The town of Velasco was destroyed twice, and relocated up river. Promoted as "the first deep water port" on the Texas Gulf Coast, Velasco became an essential trade avenue, as a "free port".
The 20th century saw the rise of industrial super-powers in the lower Brazos region. The discovery of sulfur deposits at Bryan Mound led to the formation of the Freeport Sulphur Company. In 1912, the town of Freeport was founded by the company, alongside the newly reconstructed Velasco.
Industrial Growth
Port Freeport is an independent governmental body created in 1925. They oversee imports and exports including chemicals, automobiles, plastics, agriculture, crude oil, and gas.
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In 1940, the Dow Chemical Company purchased 823 acres in Freeport, to build the company's largest single manufacturing site. Dow refined magnesium ore from seawater, and expanded to chemical production as well.
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In 1958, BASF and Dow founded the the Dow Badische Chemical Company.
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In 1973, the United States Government established a Strategic Petroleum Reserve at Bryan Mound. ​​
Community
As industry grew, so did Freeport. Countless restaurants, hotels, stores, and other businesses have called Freeport home through the decades.
Originally two towns, Velasco & Freeport, on opposite sides of the Old Brazos River, joined to become the City of Freeport in 1957.
