La Marque

The origin of the town name of La Marque – from the French for “the mark” or “my spot” – may not be obvious. During the Civil War, soldiers travelling from Galveston to Houston stopped here to buy buttermilk, lending it the name Buttermilk Station. But since there was already a town in Texas named Buttermilk Station (what is today Rosharon), the postmistress changed the name to Le Marque. Today, La Marque attracts people who are drawn to the coastal lifestyle with a little bit of big city thrown in. The town is situated 4 miles from Galveston and 15 miles from Houston, and because Interstate 45 runs through the middle of La Marque, it’s easy for residents to commute to either destination for work or play. “People are moving to La Marque because of the location,” says Realtor Donna Newding, a native of La Marque and owner of Hometown Properties. “Being close to both Galveston and Houston gives them the best of both worlds.” La Marque is a relatively car-dependent area with few sidewalks, though there are several Gulf Coast Transit bus stops throughout the town. La Marque feels like a small town, but it offers big-time amenities.

While ranch-style homes are common throughout La Marque, buyers can find new construction Crafstman-inspired homes, cozy bungalows and even raised seaside homes. The median price of real estate in the area is $280,000, and buyers should expect to pay $175 per square foot. A cozy two-bedroom/one-bathroom bungalow lists for $109,000, and a four-bedroom/three-bathroom waterfront home can sell for around $780,000. “Prices in and around the Houston area are going up rapidly, and buyers can get a lot more house for their money in La Marque right now,” says Newding.

Students in La Marque can attend Louis G. Lobit Elementary, Elva C. Lobit Middle and La Marque High School. Louis G. Lobit earns a B-plus on Niche, Elva C. Lobit earns a B-minus and La Marque High earns a C. Students at La Marque High School can avail themselves of the school’s early college program that enables students to earn up to 60 hours of college credit while still in high school. They can also participate in school-sponsored clubs that include the Debate Club and the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. Alternatively, parents have private school options in the area, including O’Connell College Preparatory School in Galveston, which earns an A on Niche.

With its proximity to the coast, La Marque is perfect for lovers of water-based recreation. Whether it’s chasing redfish in Galveston Bay, catching the breeze and sailing south to Padre Island or just catching some rays on Sunny Beach, it’s all available to area residents. Within the town of La Marque, there are also plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including Carver Park, where you’ll find a playground, a baseball diamond, a basketball court, covered picnic shelters and a fishing pond.

La Marque also has a community calendar full of annual events, including the annual Bayou Fest, featuring live music, family-friendly activities and the state championship barbecue cook-off. During the winter holiday season, the 52-day Magical Winter Lights illuminates the town in gorgeous holiday splendor. And the annual Crawfish Bash is a town-wide celebration of all things crawfish that made the Guinness Book of World Records in 2017 for preparing the most boiled crawfish in an 8-hour period (58,083.98 pounds).

For everyday shopping needs, HEB, Aldi and Kroger are conveniently located off the Lowry Expressway at Highway 146, where you’ll also find Lowe’s, Dollar General and other stores. When you feel like dining out instead, Texas Pit Stop offers a full menu of award-winning barbecue and Kelley’s Country Cooking serves up homestyle comfort food in a casual setting. And with Houston just a quick trip north on the interstate, everything that city has to offer – including world-class shopping, dining and medical care – is nearby.

Written By

Tina Davis

Photography Contributed By

Brandon Fox