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About the State Park
Battleship Texas HDR | Photo credit: BevoStevo
Battleship Texas State Historic Site is located on the Houston Ship Channel near the San Jacinto Monument in La Porte, Texas, in eastern Harris County. It is the final resting place of one of the oldest surviving modern naval ships, the USS Texas, a United States Navy battleship commissioned in 1914 that served in both World Wars. Decommissioned in 1948, Texas was the first US battleship to become a permanent museum ship. “She stands as a memorial to the bravery and sacrifice of the servicemen who fought in both World Wars.” 1 Battleship Texas is both a National Historic Landmark and a National Mechanical Engineering Landmark.
Activities at the historic site include: self-guided and guided tours, school and summer programs, picnicking, birding, and nature study.
History
USS Texas was part of many firsts, including: first US Navy vessel to house a permanently assigned contingent of US Marines, the first US battleship to mount anti-aircraft guns, the first US ship to control gunfire with directors and range-keepers (analog forerunners of modern computers), and the first US battleship to launch an aircraft.
Among her many important roles in history, the USS Texas was the flagship for the bombardment group supporting the Allied landings on Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Several weeks later, she sustained two direct hits from German shore guns: one to her armored conning tower, which killed the helmsman, and another to her main hull, which did not explode. Following repairs, the USS Texas supported the landings in Southern France in mid-August 1944, the landings at Iwo Jima in February-March, 1945, and the landings at Okinawa in late March 1945. 2
Location
Located near the San Jacinto Monument in La Porte, Texas, in Taylor County about 25 miles east of Houston. Once you cross the Houston Ship Channel, exit Highway 225 east/west, Texas Independence Highway, to La Porte. Exit Independence Parkway/Battleground Road. When the road divides into two roads, remain in the left lane, continue through the tall stone park gates, and turn right into the park.
Hours
Open 7 days a week year-round from 10 AM to 5 PM, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Check for restricted park access before any trip.
Fees
There is no fee to enter the grounds. To tour Battleship Texas, the fee schedule is:
Ages 12 to 64: $12 per person
Ages 65 and older: $6 per person
Children 5 to 11: $3 per person
Children 4 and under: Free
Military (Active & Retired): Free
(Listed fees may be inaccurate at certain times of year due to seasonal changes. Contact the park directly to confirm fees.)
Visit parks often? Learn about the $70 Texas State Parks Pass which exempts the passholder, and the passengers in their vehicle, from the entrance fees at all Texas State Parks.
Reservations
Events
Check the Wild Texas Events Calendar for activities scheduled at the park.
La Porte, Texas Weather
Photo Gallery
Official Contact Information
The State Park is managed by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
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Battleship Texas State Historic Site 3523 Independence Parkway South La Porte, TX 77571 Telephone: (281)479-2431 TPWD Park Info: 1-800-792-1112 |
Notes:
- TPWD.com – State Parks, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, “Battleship Texas State Park – History,” accessed May 26, 2016, http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/battleship-texas/park_history. ↩
- Handbook of Texas Online, Art Leatherwood, “Texas,” accessed May 26, 2016, http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/qtt02. ↩
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