Texas Cities

Region: Gulf Coast

City had its beginnings in 1882 when the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railroad built a sliding switch in northern Brazoria County. It was named Mark Belt when the settlement got a post office in 1893 and became Pearland when a plat for a townsite was filed in 1894. Pearland's development was closely linked to the railroad. After the destruction of the pear trees by the hurricane of 1900, the Santa Fe Railroad provided free transportation for anyone who wanted to leave town.

Booms in development came when the city was marketed as a place where oranges could be grown on a commercial scale and again in 1912 for the growing of figs on a commercial scale. Oil and gas discoveries nearby helped swell the population in 1934. Several of Pearland's major employers continue to support the petroleum industry through direct and indirect products and services. The city's proximity to Houston has resulted in Pearland experiencing a rapid amount of growth that was recognized in a 2007 Forbes magazine article denoting the city as the 34th fastest growing suburb in the United States.

Golfing is available at two public courses — Southwyck Golf Club 713/436-9999 and Clear Creek Golf Course 713/738-8000 — and one private course—Country Place Golf Club 713/436-1533. The NGA Hooters Pro Golf Tour is held annually at the Golfcrest Country Club 281/485-4323.

The city is 20 minutes equidistantly between the Texas Medical Center in Houston and the Johnson Space Center/Space Center Houston, and it is 45 minutes from Galveston and Brazoria County beaches. It was named an All-America City in 1999 by the National Civic League.