Port Arthur, Texas

On northwest shore of Sabine Lake nine miles from Gulf of Mexico, Port Arthur was the site of a settlement known as Aurora in 1840. The city was named after Arthur E. Stilwell, a Kansas City financier, who was instrumental in building the railroad to the edge of the townsite.

Port Arthur is a year-round fisherman's destination. The average temperature varies from 55 degrees in the winter to 82 in the summer. Port Arthur Convention and Visitors Bureau has an area Waterways Guide showing many excellent locations to catch more than 25 varieties of freshwater and saltwater fish, along with charts, marina, fuel and services information.

Port Arthur comes alive during Mardi Gras. This pre-Lenten celebration is growing in the Cajun city and it is family oriented. The Queen of Peace statue and Oriental gardens at 801 9th Ave. are especially beautiful when decorated with 700,000 lights at Christmas.

Port Arthur is the home of Lamar State College (formerly Port Arthur College).