THIS SATURDAY: THE ALDEN BALL

Come lunch and learn with us! For our April Something to Chew On, we are excited to welcome Jim Pierce, who will give a talk on his book, Pecan Lake: The Unintended Lake in Lake Jackson, TX. 

This account tells the fascinating story of Pecan Lake, a beautifully clear lake in the young city of Lake Jackson, TX. The land on which the lake was formed is connected to characters who loom large in Texas history. Hear Jim Pierce tell the story of the lake's unexpected creation and the dramatic saga of when exotic animals escaped from a menagerie on its shores. 

Admission is $5 for non-members. Members should log in to our website to receive free admission.

Feel free to bring your own lunch or order a boxed lunch through us for $12. Add the lunch ticket of your choice to your cart along with your general admission ticket. Lunch orders must be placed by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.

Julia May

After moving to Lake Jackson in 1943, Julia May opened LaVelle's Dress Shop on the corner of Circle Way and North Parking Place in 1945. The windows in front of the store were always decked in the latest styles. The store also had a 3-way mirror -- novel for its day-- with kids toys to play with while mom shopped. Julia carried a vast array of women’s clothing ranging from casual to dressy and was known for her selection of lingerie.

LaVelle's closed its doors in 1990. In 2004, the City of Lake Jackson named September 24th as Julia Sansing May Day in honor of Julia's civic service.

Emma Ruth Andrews

Emma Ruth Andrews was born in North Zulch, TX on March 5, 1922, and was one of Lake Jackson's earliest residents. Although the date of her certification is unknown, The Freeport Facts reported that she made her first dual cross country flight on September 25, 1944. Andrews was certified by the Civil Aeronautics Administration, which operated within the national Department of Commerce and was responsible for domestic air traffic control, airman and aircraft certification, safety enforcement, and airway development. Due to the threat of enemy planes during World War II, thousands of civilian men and women were trained in aviation in the 1940s.

Sharon Barnes

Sharon Barnes was an influential scientist and the first African American City Councilmember in Lake Jackson!

In 1981, Sharon moved to the Freeport-Lake Jackson area with her husband, Roland. She started her career as a chemist with Dow Chemical Company in 1986. In1991, she obtained a U.S. patent for a new application in Infrared

Thermography Technology.

In 1996, Sharon ran for Lake Jackson City Council and beat her opponent by one vote, making her the first African American councilmember to be elected in the council's history. She served a two-year term, and then ran unopposed in 1998. She also served as Mayor Pro-Tem for ten days in 1999.

Selena Quintanilla

Selena was born on April 16, 1971, at Freeport Community Hospital and grew up in Lake Jackson until her family moved to Corpus Christi in the early 1980s. She attended Oran M. Roberts Elementary while she lived here, and famously began her singing career at the age of 9 by performing with her siblings at the family's restaurant, Papagayo's, which was located at 121 Circle Way.

Selena skyrocketed to fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s. She is still regarded as one of the most influential artists of all time for her groundbreaking contributions to Tejano music. Visit the Lake Jackson Historical Museum to see our mini-exhibit about Selena!

The only time she returned to the Brazosport area was when she performed at the Mosquito Festival at Clute Municipal Park in 1994.



Next Friday, March 31st, marks the 28th anniversary of Selena's tragic death after she was shot by Yolanda Saldivar in 1995. Her birthday, April 16th, is officially declared Selena Day in Texas, and she is remembered by fans around the world.

Lake Jackson Business and Professional Women's Club

The Lake Jackson Business & Professional Women's Club was an organization which advocated for Lake Jackson women's career development, education, and civic duty during an era when women were fiercely fighting for recognition and respect as professionals. The Lake Jackson Historical Association has three scrapbooks made by club members over the years 1953-56 in our collection. These scrapbooks contain newspaper clippings and other ephemera documenting the club's activities and members' achievements.

The Alden Ball

Saturday, April 15th, 6 -9 PM

249 Circle Way, Lake Jackson, TX 77566

Tickets: $75 ($65 for members)

Join us for our first annual Alden Ball, a fundraiser gala dedicated to the preservation of Lake Jackson history. Enjoy dinner, drinks, a silent auction, and live entertainment provided by the Brazosport Little Big Band!

Honor Someone You Love

Pave the walkway to the Lake Jackson Historical Museum or the Jackson Plantation Historic Site with a personalized brick. 

Order a memorial brick here.