Old Ocean, Texas
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Old Ocean is an unincorporated community in Brazoria County, Texas, United States.
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[edit] Geography
Old Ocean is located at 29°4′47″ North, 95°44′58″ West (29.07972, -95.74944) [1], at the intersection of State Highway 35 and Farm to Market Road 524, five miles northwest of Sweeny.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 915 people in the community. That figure had not changed since the census of 1970.
[edit] History
Old Ocean was originally known as Chance's Prairie, after the land grant made to Joseph H. Polley and Samuel Chance on July 27, 1824. William B. Sweeny, one of the founders of Chance's Prairie and for which the local town of Sweeny was named, bought 2,319 acres from Polley and Chance for $1,950. Eventally more people settled here, and the town reportedly hadf a population of 18 in 1880. James Abercrombie discovered oil nearby in 1934, and a government oil refinery was constructed to make high-octane gas. It was closed near the end of World War II. The oilfield was called Old Ocean, and by 1936 the town eventually took that name. A post office with the name of Old Ocean was established in 1945.
[edit] Old Ocean's Future
Not much remains of Old Ocean besides the post office, a Baptist church and two convenience stores. Most of the town has been redeveloped into an industrial facility and Highway 35 is being reconstructed to include a bypass around Old Ocean. With that and the possible closing of FM 524 through the chemical plants, Old Ocean may be a thing of the past.
[edit] Education
Old Ocean is served by the Sweeny Independent School District.
[edit] References
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
[edit] External links
- Old Ocean, Texas is at coordinates Coordinates:
- Old Ocean at the Handbook of Texas Online
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