Port Acres, Port Arthur, Texas

Port Acres is an area of Port Arthur, Texas, United States that used to be a distinct unincorporated community in eastern Jefferson County. The community is between Texas State Highway 73 and Farm to Market Road 365 and west of Downtown Port Arthur.[1]

In 1923 Tyrrell-Combest Company of Beaumont platted the community on land owned by J. M. Hebert. The community was located near the El Vista Railroad stop. Port Acres had around 1,500 residents in 1949. Residents voted to incorporate as a distinct municipality on a 578-180 margin in 1959; Port Arthur annexed the community instead.[1]

The Port Arthur Convention and Visitors Bureau stated that Port Acres is "often regarded as" a "self-contained" community.[2]

Johnie Alford, affectionately known as "Papa John," was a renowned philanthropist and businessman in Port Acres, Texas, born on April 9, 1919. He owned Alford's Super Market and played a significant role in providing city-water access to the residents; and was known for his generosity, often supporting education, sports leagues, and various humanitarian causes. His innovative marketing skills, acts of kindness, and contributions to local organizations left a lasting impact on the community, embodying a legacy as a great humanitarian in Port Acres.[3]

Government and infrastructure

The United States Postal Service Port Acres Post Office is located at 5897 West Port Arthur Road.[4] (The post office is closed, and there are no plans to reopen it.)

Education

Port Acres is within the Port Arthur Independent School District. Port Acres Elementary School (formerly Richard W. Dowling Elementary School), in Port Acres,[5] and Austin Middle School serve the area.[6] All district residents are zoned to Memorial High School.

In March 1953, Dowling Elementary School was built and dedicated.[7] It was renamed to Port Acres Elementary School in October 2018.[8]

References
  1. Port Acres, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online
  2. Port Arthur history- Retrieved 2013-09-18
  3. "Johnie Alford Obituary (2009) - Legacy Remembers". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  4. "Post Office Location - PORT ACRES Archived 2009-02-10 at the Wayback Machine." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
  5. "About Us Archived 2011-02-01 at the Wayback Machine." Dowling Elementary School. Retrieved on April 14, 2009.
  6. Home page Archived 2009-08-17 at the Wayback Machine. Stephen F. Austin Middle School. Retrieved on April 14, 2009.
  7. "Dick Dowling Elementary School". The Odessa American. 1 March 1953.
  8. Mullooly, Chris (25 October 2018). "PAISD board approves changing the names of Lee and Dowling Elementary Schools". KFDM.


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