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Port Arthur, Texas

Located in Jefferson County, Texas, Port Arthur was established in 1895. Janis Joplin was born in Port Arthur in 1943. Part of the 'Golden Triangle' oil refining region.
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Founded 1895 | Population 55,000 | Peak 55,000 (2024) | County Jefferson County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Port Arthur, Texas

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1895Founded: Port Arthur was founded during the mining era in Jefferson County.
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1901Spindletop: Oil gusher transforms city.
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1943Janis Joplin Born: Rock legend born here.
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2017Hurricane Harvey: Catastrophic flooding.
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Complete Historical Timeline

1895 Culture
Founded
1901 Industry
Spindletop
1943 Culture
Janis Joplin Born
2017 Disaster
Hurricane Harvey

Did You Know?

1
Janis Joplin was born in Port Arthur in 1943.
2
Part of the 'Golden Triangle' oil refining region.
3
Hurricane Harvey in 2017 caused catastrophic flooding — over 60 inches of rain.
4
Port Arthur is located in Jefferson County, Texas.
5
Port Arthur was founded in 1895.

Famous People from Port Arthur, Texas

RR
Robert Rauschenberg
Photographer, Artist · Born Oct 22, 1925 · Died May 12, 2008 (age 82)
BZ
Babe Didrikson Zaharias
Basketball Player, Tennis Player · Born Jun 26, 1911 · Died Sep 27, 1956 (age 45)
EK
Evelyn Keyes
Actor, Film Actor · Born Nov 20, 1916 · Died Jul 4, 2008 (age 91)
GB
G. W. Bailey
Actor, Stage Actor · Born Aug 27, 1944 · Age 81
TB
The Big Bopper
Disc Jockey, Singer · Born Oct 24, 1930 · Died Feb 3, 1959 (age 28)
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