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Pleasure IslandTXPort Arthur's Pleasure Island, an 18.5 mile long man-made body of land, extends from the mouth of the Neches River on the northwest to the Sabine Causeway on the southeast and is surrounded by Sabine Lake and the Sabine Neches Intracoastal Waterway. Pleasure Island is a place of beauty. Its hills, bluffs, and vistas of Sabine Lake are a delight and pleasure to those who visit. Pleasure Island is where the fun begins! |
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History of Pleasure IslandThe U. S. Corps of Engineers created Pleasure Island from deposits dredged while constructing the Port Arthur Canal, completed in 1899, and the Sabine Neches Intracoastal Waterway, completed in 1908. In 1913 a dance hall and roller coaster were constructed. In 1941 a private investor built the Pleasure Pier Ballroom, a midway, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and the largest roller coaster in the south. A fine 18-hole golf course was enjoyed for years. Pleasure Island was Port Arthur's playground for decades until the Pleasure Pier bridge, which opened in 1931 and was frequently hit by ships, was taken out of service in 1967, making it difficult to reach the island. Storms, fires, and erosion eventually destroyed all of the existing facilities. The Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge and the Sabine Causeway now connect Pleasure Island to Port Arthur and Louisiana. A resurgence of development beginning in the late 1980s brought new life to the island with the construction of condos and residential areas and the reopening of the golf course. Hurricane Rita in 2005 and Hurricane Ike in 2008 inflicted major damage; however, development and reconstruction continues. Residents and tourists alike enjoy Pleasure Island. It is the natural place to be for outdoor activity. Photo Gallery
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