Galveston Bay Galveston became a major U.S. commercial center for shipping cotton, leather products and cattle, and other goods produced in the growing state. Railroads were built around the shore and new communities continued to emerge. Commercial fishing developed as a substantial industry, particularly oysters, finfish, and later, shrimp. The Galveston Hurricane of 1900 devastated the city of Galveston and heavily damaged communities around the bay. Growth moved inland to Houston as fear of the risks posed by establishing businesses at Galveston limited the island's ability to compete. Texas City emerged as another important port in the area. Shipping traffic through the
Port Bolivar, Texas between Port Bolivar and Galveston. The Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry can accommodate vehicles as heavy as 80,000 pounds, and as long as 65 feet, as high as 13.5 feet and as wide as 8.5 feet. The ferry was closed because of Hurricane Ike but re-opened on November 11, 2008. Port Bolivar residents are zoned to Galveston Independent School District schools. Residents attend Crenshaw Elementary and Middle School for grades Pre-K3 through 8 on the peninsula. Residents attend Ball High School in Galveston. The current Crenshaw building, in Crystal Beach, opened in 2005. The former Crenshaw campus was in Port Bolivar. Galveston