| On January 24, 1948, the three communities of Goose Creek, Pelly and East Baytown consolidated to form the town of Baytown. Baytown is located 30 miles east of Houston on the northern shore of Galveston Bay between the San Jacinto River on the west and the Trinity River on the east. Baytown is a prosperous industrial community steeped in history, from the first oil strike in 1908, the first Texas (and second in the nation) offshore drilling operation in 1916, to being home to one of the nation’s largest refineries. Although many changes have occurred, one Baytown landmark has remained constant. A giant live oak tree – estimated by some tree experts to be more than 1,000 years old – stands in the center of West Texas Avenue. Its spreading branches symbolize the long rich history of this area which has played such a significant role in the early settlement and subsequent development of the Texas Gulf Coast. City of Baytown |