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FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS
Article by Holly Murdock Friendswood, Texas is a growing community located halfway between Houston and Galveston on Farm Road 518. The exact location is twenty-seven miles northwest of Galveston and twenty miles south of Houston in northwestern Galveston and southern Harris counties. The surrounding area was originally wooded. Friendswood is a suburban community of fine homes, churches, businesses, schools and organizations, but the past is remembered with pride. HISTORY Friendswood was founded as a Quaker colony by Frank J. Brown. Only three Quaker colonies were ever established in Texas with the other two being Estacado, in the Texas Panhandle and View Point in Lipscomb County. After looking at Alvin and Galveston, Brown located a tract of more than 1,500 acres and negotiated with J. C. League for the property in 1895. |
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| Brown suggested that
they name the community Friendswood, in honor of the Society of Friends
which helped establish the city. Friendswood remained predominantly Quaker until 1958, when a local Baptist church was organized. The community incorporated in 1960. With the location of the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center ten miles away in 1962, many community residents began to commute there or to Houston, and Friendswood became a bedroom suburb. (from The Handbook of Texas Online) |
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| TODAY Now, after 110 years, the small town has grown to around 35,000 people. According to the census of 2000, the median income for a household in the city is $69,384, and the median income for a family is $77,293. The Quaker values can still be seen through community involvement. Residents participate in city civic and education events and Fourth of July celebrations. LIFESTYLE Friendswood offers single-family residential housing in pleasant park-like settings, tucked-away from the busy stream of vehicular traffic. |
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| Choices abound
with master-planned communities for new homes, resale homes in a variety
of architectural styles in neighborhood subdivisions, and several
communities offering seniors the finest in independent and assisted living
in Texas.
Within a thirty minute drive residents can attend cultural, educational and recreational events. Ballet, opera, theaters, orchestras, museums, NASA, amusements parks, observatories, zoos, major league sports of every kind, and the beach at Galveston are all conveniently available. (from Friendswood Online) EDUCATION Friendswood lies within two premier school districts--Clear Creek ISD and Friendswood ISD. Both are rated among the best in Texas. LOCATION With its unique geographic location, residents and businesses alike have the convenience of living within a large metropolitan area, with all its amenities, and still be away from the intensities of the city. |
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Friendswood encompasses 21 square miles and is only 50% developed. There is ample room for growth--commercially, industrially and residentially. Friendswood highways include IH 45, Texas Highway 35, FM 528, FM 518, and FM 2351. Directions to Friendswood: From Houston, take I 45 South, exit FM 2351 (renamed Edgewood in Friendswood) and take a right. Friendswood is approximately six miles from the freeway. |
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One of the few bayous
in Houston not to be channelized, Clear Creek features a unique and
inclusive complex riparian woodland/wetland habitat.
The mix of coniferous and deciduous trees found along Clear Creek in 1776 Memorial Park and Frankie Carter Randolph County Park form a habitat type typical of the smaller streams and bayous ringing the upper bay. In addition to providing habitat, the riparian wetlands present here store floodwaters and stabilize stream crests, helping to control flood damage and filter out pollutants that might otherwise reach Galveston Bay. Clear Creek is an important tributary to Clear Lake and the Northwest quadrant of Galveston Bay. |
Water and nutrients supplied by the upper portions of Clear Creek flow into the fringing wetlands along lower Clear Creek, which are important nursery habitats for numerous fish and bird species. |
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| Restaurants
Bennigan's, 1300 W. Bay Area
Blvd. 281-480-2695 |
Olive Garden Italian
Restaurant, 18976 Gulf Freeway, 281-488-1022 On The Border, 1320 W Bat Area Blvd, 281-480-7540 PHO Yen, 1612 S Friendswood Dr, 281-993-0671 Perry's Grille & Steakhouse, 614 S Friendswood, 281-482-2842 Pizza Hut, 108 W Parkwood Avenue,281-482-0444 Rancho Mexican Restaurant, 146 W Parkwood, 281-996-0203 Red Top Texas Style Burgers, 402 W Edgewood Avenue, 281-482-3368 Schlotzky"s Deli, 109 E Parkwood, 281-996-5483 Steak And Ale, 19222 Gulf Freeway, 281-486-9115 Subway Sandwich Shop, 104-A Friendswood Dr, 281-482-8862 Summer Chinese Buffet, 146 W Parkwood, 281-482-8116 Texas Roadhouse, 18194 Gulf Freeway, 281-461-3800 Ziti's Restaurant and Bar, 412 N Friendswood Dr, 281-996-9000 |
| Friendswood Government
Sheriff Friendswood, 281-996-3300 |
Library, 281-482-7135 Municipal Court, 281-996-3252 Police Dept Emergency, 911 Non-Emergency, 281-996-3300 Police Administration, 281-996-3300 Post Office, 281-992-2832 Public Works Dept, 281-996-3380 1. Street & Drainage, 281-996-3380 2. Water/Sewage, 281-996-3382 3. Swimming Pool, 281-482-0936 Tax Assessor, 281-482-1198 Utility Billing ( Water ), 281-996-3232 |
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