Region: Gulf Coast
This city was originally known as Highlands, probably for its location near
Highland Creek. It was renamed in the 1890s when residents learned of another
mainland community of the same name. Madam St. Ambrose, postmistress, chose the
name, which means "the mark" in French. During the Civil War, the town was known
as Buttermilk Station after the soldiers' practice of purchasing buttermilk
there on the trip between Galveston and Houston. In 1867, the town had six
families, and its residents raised cattle or grew rice.
By 1914, the community had been reached by four railroads—the International
and Great Northern; the Galveston, Houston and Henderson; the Missouri, Kansas
and Texas; and the Interurban. At that time, La Marque had a private home that
served as the railroad station and general store.