Nederland, Texas

Nederland (/ˈniːdərlənd/ NEE-dər-lənd) is a city in Jefferson County, Texas, United States. The population was 17,547 at the 2010 census.[5]

Nederland, Texas
City
Motto(s): 
"Programmed for progress"
Location of Nederland, Texas
Nederland
Location of Nederland, Texas
Nederland
Nederland (the United States)
Nederland
Nederland (North America)
Coordinates: 29°58′23″N 93°59′48″W
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyJefferson
Settled1897
Incorporated1940
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • City Council
 • City ManagerChristopher Duque
Area
 • Total6.05 sq mi (15.67 km2)
 • Land5.92 sq mi (15.34 km2)
 • Water0.13 sq mi (0.33 km2)
Elevation
16 ft (5 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total17,547
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
17,371
 • Density2,932.31/sq mi (1,132.20/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
77627
Area code(s)409
FIPS code48-50580[3]
GNIS feature ID1363634[4]
U.S. Routes FM 365
Websitewww.ci.nederland.tx.us

The city was settled in 1897 along what is now Boston Avenue and incorporated in 1940. It was settled by Dutch immigrants on land sold by the Kansas City Southern railroad. It is part of the Beaumont–Port Arthur metropolitan area. Nederland is also a part of an area known as "the Golden Triangle", which comprises Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Orange. The city is adjacent to the Jack Brooks Regional Airport.

History

Nederland was founded in 1897 by Dutch[6] settlers as a repayment for financial services of Dutch bankers who financed the Kansas City Southern railroad line that runs through the center of the city. (Nederland, which literally translates to "Lowland", is the Dutch name for the Netherlands.) The more prominent families were named Rienstra, Doornbos, and Van Oostrom, and their descendants still live in the area today. Tradition says they were attracted to the flat coastal terrain that reminded them of their homeland (although the heat most certainly did not).

Nederland's early economy was driven by rice and dairy farming. However, the depression of 1907 and overproduction caused the rice industry in the town to collapse. Many Dutch settlers moved away from the area during this time, but a small percentage remained. After the Spindletop gusher discovery of 1901 and the establishment of the Sun Oil terminal near Nederland, the town became a residential community for the workers of the nearby oil terminals.

Nederland became incorporated as a city in 1940. The surrounding larger cities of Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Orange came to be known as the Golden Triangle. In the 1940s and 1950s, the Port of Port Arthur and the Port of Beaumont were as important as New Orleans, Houston, or Galveston, and Nederland thrived as a result.

The refineries also attracted a large population of blue-collar laborers into the area. The area drew particularly heavily from southern Louisiana, and a strong Cajun flair is evident throughout the community. With the decline of oil prices in the 1980s, the local economy suffered and Nederland experienced slight population losses, but has stabilized in the late 1990s and 2000s.

Nederland is the ending location of the Keystone Pipeline.

Geography

Nederland is located in eastern Jefferson County at 29°58′23″N 93°59′48″W (29.973113, -93.996715).[7] It is bordered to the east by Port Neches, to the south by Port Arthur, and to the north by unincorporated Central Gardens. Texas State Highway 347 runs through the northeast side of the city, close to downtown, and the U.S. Route 69/96/287 freeway runs through the southwest side. Nederland is 10 miles (16 km) southeast of downtown Beaumont and 8 miles (13 km) northwest of the center of Port Arthur. It is about 90 miles (140 km) east of Houston.[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, Nederland has a total area of 5.8 square miles (15.1 km2), of which 5.7 square miles (14.8 km2) are land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km2), or 2.19%, are water.[5]

Climate

Nederland is on a subtropical coastal plain. The proximity to the coast contributes to high humidity during the summer months. The region also has its share of tropical storms.

On September 23, 2005, Nederland was hit by Hurricane Rita, a category 3 hurricane causing 12 billion dollars of damage in southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana.

On September 13, 2007, Nederland was hit by Hurricane Humberto, a category 1 hurricane. The eye of the hurricane passed over the city.

On September 13, 2008, Nederland was hit by hurricane-force winds of Hurricane Ike, a category 2 hurricane that came ashore at Galveston and pushed an 18-foot (5.5 m) storm surge ahead of it. The Golden Triangle area of Nederland, Port Arthur, Port Neches and Beaumont were spared from the surge by the sea wall that surrounds Port Arthur. Bridge City, Orange and the outlying areas were severely flooded.[9]

From August 26 to 30, 2017, Hurricane Harvey set the record for the highest rainfall from a tropical cyclone in United States history, when 60.58 inches (1,539 mm) of precipitation fell in Nederland.[10]


Climate data for Nederland, Texas
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 86
(30)		 90
(32)		 95
(35)		 94
(34)		 101
(38)		 106
(41)		 108
(42)		 108
(42)		 105
(41)		 99
(37)		 94
(34)		 86
(30)		 108
(42)
Average high °F (°C) 62
(17)		 65
(18)		 72
(22)		 78
(26)		 85
(29)		 90
(32)		 92
(33)		 92
(33)		 88
(31)		 81
(27)		 72
(22)		 64
(18)		 78
(26)
Average low °F (°C) 43
(6)		 46
(8)		 52
(11)		 59
(15)		 67
(19)		 73
(23)		 74
(23)		 74
(23)		 70
(21)		 61
(16)		 52
(11)		 45
(7)		 60
(15)
Record low °F (°C) 11
(−12)		 10
(−12)		 20
(−7)		 32
(0)		 45
(7)		 53
(12)		 61
(16)		 58
(14)		 45
(7)		 30
(−1)		 22
(−6)		 12
(−11)		 10
(−12)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 5.62
(143)		 3.70
(94)		 3.53
(90)		 3.21
(82)		 5.23
(133)		 7.09
(180)		 5.96
(151)		 5.38
(137)		 5.97
(152)		 5.58
(142)		 4.40
(112)		 5.29
(134)		 60.96
(1,550)
Source: The Weather Channel[11]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
19503,805—
196012,036216.3%
197016,81039.7%
198016,8550.3%
199016,192−3.9%
200017,4227.6%
201017,5470.7%
2019 (est.)17,371[2]−1.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]

As of the census[13] of 2010, there were 17,547 people, 7,122 households, and 4,944 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,063.2 people per square mile (1,182.2/km2). There were 7,226 housing units at an average density of 1,270.5 per square mile (490.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 87.8% White, 10.7% Hispanic or Latino, 4% African American, 0.33% Native American, 2.8% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 3.4% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races.

There were 7,122 households, out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $53,231, and the median income for a family was $61,149. Males had a median income of $43,691 versus $25,457 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,285. About 5.4% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

According to the city of Nederland's 2014 Annual Financial Report[14] the top employers in the city are:

RankingEmployer# of EmployeesPercentage of total city employment
1Nederland Independent School District6227.70%
2Phillpott Motors2252.78%
3Mid-County Extended Care Hospital1381.71%
4Time Warner1321.63%
5Sun Oil Co.1151.42%
6City of Nederland1101.36%
6DuPont750.93%
7JK Chevrolet700.87%
8Unocal650.80%
9Air Liquide400.49%

Government and infrastructure

City government

The City of Nederland completed a new $1.3 million City Hall building at 207 N. 12th street in September 2013. The previous City Hall was shared with police and fire services and received a $3.6 million upgrade for police and fire services only. The older building is now named the Homer E. Nagel Public Safety Complex. The safety complex was completed in August 2014.[15]

Nederland has a council-manager system of government.

Current city officials are:

PositionName
MayorDon Albanese
Councilmember Ward ITalmadge Austin
Councilmember Ward II, Mayor Pro TemBilly Neal
Councilmember Ward IIIEmmett Hollier
Councilmember Ward IVSylvia Root
City ManagerChristopher Duque

State government

Dade Phelan [R]: State Representative for District 21.

Brandon Creighton [R]: State Senator for District 4. His district office is in The Woodlands.

US government

Randy Weber [R] is the representative of the 14th Congressional District of Texas for the 113th US Congress.

John Cornyn [R] is the senior United States Senator representing Texas in the 113th United States Congress.

Ted Cruz [R] is the junior United States Senator representing Texas in the 113th United States Congress.

The United States Postal Service Nederland Post Office is located at 223 North 14th Street.[16]

Culture

Arts and theater

The Nederland Performing Arts Theater, on the campus of Nederland High School, hosts performances for the high school, in addition to plays and concerts. It also houses the Nederland High School Band and the Nederland Drama Department. The center was built in 1999 from a bond that was passed by the voters.

The Dutch Windmill Museum is an authentic replica of a Dutch windmill and was created to honor the settlers from the Netherlands that founded Nederland. It was built in 1969 and contains donated items from Nederland's history. The museum is in Tex Ritter Park on Boston Avenue.

The La Maison Des Acadiens house is a replica of houses used by early French settlers of the area, many of whom still have descendants living in the region. It is located next to the Dutch Windmill Museum.

Dutch Windmill Museum
La Maison Des Acadiens house

Boston Avenue

Boston Avenue is part of the original plot of Nederland when it was founded in 1897. It carries both its modern name and the original Dutch name on street signs (Heeren Straats). The Boston Avenue shopping district offers boutique shopping and events throughout the year. These events include the Nederland Heritage Festival, Christmas Parade, Homecoming Parade, and Third Thursday shopping events. Boston Avenue is also the location of the Nederland Windmill and Le Maison de Acadiens Museums and Tex Ritter Park.

Events

The Nederland Heritage Festival began on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the town in 1973 as part of the city's Diamond Jubilee and has become known area wide, attracting over 100,000 people over the week of festivities. It includes multiple events during the week with carnival rides, pageants, a parade, golf tournament and live music to name a few.[17]

The carnival is usually held on the second or third week of March, during the Nederland Independent School District's spring break. The other events are held beginning in February and running through the end of the carnival itself.

The Nederland Parks department in conjunction with the Nederland Chamber of Commerce created a Fourth of July celebration that is held at Doornbos Park starting in 2012. The celebration includes fireworks, food and music along with entertainment for children. It is open to anyone in the area. The celebration is in its second year as of 2013.

Nederland's annual Christmas parade is usually held the second or third week of December, weather permitting. The parade is hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and allows businesses and organizations throughout the area to enter bands, floats or other vehicles. This parade is a lighted parade that goes through the historic Boston Avenue downtown area and Nederland Avenue.

Homecoming is a week-long event that encompasses several events during high school football season:

  • A Pots and Pans parade, that is open to all residents (with pots or pans) occurs during the week and ends at the bonfire location near the football stadium. The bonfire itself happens after this parade.
  • The homecoming parade occurs the day of the game, and involves all Nederland sports. It runs from Boston Avenue to Nederland Avenue.
  • The crowning of the Homecoming Queen and naming of the Court occurs before the game starts.

Parks and recreation

The city of Nederland manages six parks located throughout the city.

  • Nederland Veterans Park -This park commemorates all veterans and also contains a Wall of Honor for veterans from Nederland. The park is located next to the new City Hall on North 12th st.[18]
  • Doornbos Heritage Park - Located at 2301 Avenue H and named for the member of the Doornbos family who donated the land to the city. This park includes the Nederland City Swimming Pool, a duck pond, gazebos and several play areas for children. It is also the location of the Nederland Recreation Center.[19]
  • Tex Ritter Park - Located at 1500 Boston Avenue and named for country singer Tex Ritter, who was from Nederland. The park includes the Dutch Windmill and Les Maisons Acadiens Museum and a gazebo and eating area.
  • Homer Nagel Park - Located at 3210 Avenue G and named for the former city mayor who served the city for 38 years who died in 2011. This park has a fenced play area and climbing apparatus for children.
  • Carl "Cropo" Leblanc Park - Located at 923 Boston Avenue and named for the former city mayor and barber for 50 years who died in 2001. This park has swings, slides and climbing apparatus for small children.
  • South 5th St. Park - Located at 599 S. 5th Street. This park contains a climbing apparatus and swings for children.
  • Rienstra Heritage Park - Located at 820 Helena Avenue. Named after another prominent family in Nederland, this park has walking paths and a covered picnic area.

Historical buildings

The Orange Hotel was built in November 1897 on Boston Avenue near the current location of Bank of America. It was the primary housing location for visitors and oil and railroad workers. It was eventually abandoned and torn down around 1912.

The Nederland Pharmacy was opened in 1902 at the corner of Boston Avenue and Highway 347 and closed in 2002. A tanning salon now occupies the pharmacy building.

Langham Elementary School was originally built where the current elementary's playground currently stands. The current Langham Elementary School building was built in 1940.

Setzer's Hardware was built in 1898 as a rice storage facility at the corner of Boston Avenue and 11th Street, and still stands today.

Education

Primary and secondary schools

The city is served by the Nederland Independent School District.[20] The schools in Nederland include four elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school serving approximately 5372 students as of 2019. Overall, the school district is rated as an "A" which is the highest rating that can be attained, by the Texas Education Agency's system for 2019.[21]

  • Langham Elementary School -Is an Early education through 4th grade campus located at 800 S. 12th St. The campus is rated as an overall "A" by Texas Education Agency for 2019.[22]
  • Helena Park Elementary School -A Early education through 4th grade campus located at 2800 Helena Ave. The campus is rated as an overall"B" by the Texas Education Agency for 2019.[23]
  • Highland Park Elementary School -A Early Education through 4th grade campus located at 200 S. 6th St. The campus is rated as an overall "B" by the Texas Education Agency for 2019.[24]
  • Hillcrest Elementary School- A Early Education through 4th grade campus located at 2611 Ave. H. The campus is rated as an overall "B" by the Texas Education Agency for 2019.[25]

The two middle schools are:

  • C. O. Wilson Middle School Bullpups- A 5th through 8th grade campus located at 2620 Helena Ave. The campus is rated as an overall "B" by the Texas Education Agency for 2019.[26]
  • Central Middle School Canines- A 5th through 8th grade campus located at 200 N. 17th St. The campus is rated as an overall "C" by the Texas Education Agency for 2019.[27]

The one high school is Nederland High School, a 9th through 12th grade campus located at 2101 18th St. The campus is rated an overall "A" by the Texas Education Agency for 2019.[28]

City library

Nederland is served by the Marion and Ed Hughes Public Library. The library is currently located at 2712 Nederland Avenue. It was formerly located at 1903 Atlanta Avenue and was named the D. Bob Henson Memorial Library after the former city manager who was killed in an accident.

Colleges and universities

Lamar University, established in 1923, is an accredited member of the Texas State University System in the nearby city of Beaumont. Lamar Institute of Technology was established in 1990 and is located adjacent to Lamar University. Lamar State College–Port Arthur is located south of Nederland in the city of Port Arthur, Texas and offers two-year degrees and one-year certificates.

Television
Call signChannel/Digital channelLocation
KBTV(Fox) 4/ Digital 40Beaumont, TX
KITU(TBN) 34/ Digital 33Orange, TX
KFDM(CBS) 6/ Digital 6.1Beaumont, TX
KWBB(CW) 14/ Digital 6.2Beaumont, Lake Charles
KBMT(ABC)12/ Digital 12.1Beaumont, TX

Newspapers

Nederland is served by two newspapers:

  • The Beaumont Enterprise, which was founded in 1880 and is owned by the Hearst Corporation, is a daily newspaper that serves the Golden Triangle and the surrounding area.
  • The Port Arthur News delivers seven days a week and serves Nederland, Port Neches, and Port Arthur primarily. The newspaper is owned by CNHI and is the sister newspaper of the Orange Leader.

Transportation

Road travel

Nederland is served by US 69/US 287/US 96, SH 347 and FM 365.

Approximately 11 miles (18 km) to the northwest is Interstate 10, which serves as a main east-west corridor from Florida to California.

US 69/287/96 runs along the west side of Nederland, from Port Arthur to Beaumont and merges with Interstate 10.

Texas 347 runs along the east side of Nederland from Port Arthur to Beaumont and merges with US 69/287/96.

FM 365 runs along the south side of Nederland from Port Neches to Winnie and merges with Interstate 10.

Air travel

Nederland is served by the Jack Brooks Regional Airport, formally named the Southeast Texas Regional Airport, located on the west side of the city. The airport has daily flights to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, with connecting flights to destinations beyond.

Notable people

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Nederland city, Texas". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  6. Block, JR, W.T. "TULIPS AMID THE BLUEBONNETS: THE CENTENNIAL OF NEDERLAND, TEXAS". Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  7. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  8. Christian, Carol. "East Texas town blocks sex offenders from areas with 4 or more kids." Houston Chronicle. September 10, 2013. Retrieved on September 10, 2013.
  9. "Revisiting IKE". Beaumont Enterprise. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  10. Samenow, Jason (September 22, 2017). "60 inches of rain fell from Hurricane Harvey in Texas, shattering U.S. storm record". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  11. "Monthly Averages for Nederland, TX". Weather.com. The Weather Channel. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  12. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  13. "American Fact Finder". Archived from the original on 21 May 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  14. "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report" (PDF). City of Nederland Website. City of Nederland. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  15. Meaux, Mary. "Nederland council tours Nagel complex". panews.com. Port Arthur News. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  16. "Post Office Location - NEDERLAND." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
  17. Archived 2011-07-27 at the Wayback Machine, Nederland Heritage Festival website
  18. "Nederland Veterans Park". City of Nederland Library Website. City of Nederland. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  19. "City of Nederland - Recreation Site". Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  20. Nederland ISD Webpage
  21. "2019 Accountability Ratings Nederland ISD-2019". TEA.texas.gov. Texas Education Agency. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  22. "2019 Accountability Ratings Langham EL-2017". TEA.texas.gov. Texas Education Agency. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  23. "2019 Accountability Ratings - Helena Park EL". Texas Education Agency. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  24. "2019 Accountability Ratings - Highland Park EL". Texas Education Agency. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  25. "2019 Accountability Ratings- Hillcrest EL". Texas Education Agency. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  26. "2019 Accountability Ratings- Wilson MS". Texas Education Agency. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  27. "2019 Accountability Report- Central MS". Texas Education Agency. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  28. "2019 Accountability Report-Nederland HS". TEA.texas.gov. Texas Education Agency. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  29. "Davy Arnaud". MLS Network. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  30. "Boston Red Sox Official Website". Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  31. "Kendrick Le'Dale Perkins". Basketball-Reference.Com. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  32. "Brian Lee Sanches". Baseball-Reference.Com. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  33. "John Varley official website". Retrieved 26 January 2013.
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