Region: Gulf Coast
Originally, Sugar Land was Stephen F. Austin's personal portion of the 1and
(today, about the size of 15 counties) he leased in 1823 from Mexico. Besides
cotton and corn, sugar cane plants imported from Cuba proliferated—inspiring the
name Sugar Land and spurring sugar production. In 1906, Imperial Sugar Company
opened and began creating a company town with amenities that would attract
workers and families and ensure steady employment. In 1959, the town
incorporated with a population of approximately 2,500. Since then, it has been
one of the fastest growing cities in Texas. The historic Imperial Sugar Char
House remains along with the town's company homes and early school
auditorium.
Outdoor activities abound with more than 1,600 acres of dedicated parkland.
Highlights include disc golf; a BMX track; skate park; multiple baseball,
softball and soccer fields; hike-and-bike trails; the technical Brindley
mountain bike trail; signature special events and more. Oyster Creek is home to
the Greater Houston Rowing Club.
Sugar Land Town Square boasts 32 acres of major retailers, boutique shopping,
day spas and al fresco dining, as well as special events and live entertainment.
Nearby First Colony Mall offers more than 150 high-end retail stores, dining and
entertainment. Other entertainment opportunities include world-class cultural
and performing arts by Imperial Performing Arts (www.imperialperformingarts.org)
and ice skating, hockey and figure skating at the Sugar Land Ice & Sports
Center (www.sugarlandice.com). The
dual rink facility also is the practice facility for the AHL Calder Cup Champion
Houston Aeros hockey team.
Major annual events include the Cultural Kite Festival in March, Grand Wine
& Food Affair in April; Red, White and Bluefest on July 4; Gulf Coast
International Dragon Boat Regatta in October; annual tree lighting and winter
wonderland with 30,000 pounds of real snow; and a New Year's Eve celebration
featuring a state-of-the-art 3-D virtual Sugar Cube dropping at
midnight.