Хайлендс, Техас: История и современность

Highlands is a census designated place (CDP) located along the Union Pacific Railroad, north of Interstate 10 and west of Farm to Market Road 2100, in an industrialized area of unincorporated Harris County, Texas, United States. The population was 8,612 at the 2020 census.

The community was named Highlands because the east bank of the San Jacinto River, where Highlands is located, has a higher elevation than the west bank of the river. By 1908, Highlands became a station on the Beaumont, Sour Lake and Western Railway. A post office opened in 1929. Highlands incorporated in 1930, but its charter was voided, leaving Highlands as unincorporated again. In the 1930s, Highlands had 20 businesses and its population decreased from 350 to 200. The 1936 Harris County highway map indicated two churches, a factory, a school, and a sawmill in Highlands. Highlands housed military members and war plant personnel during World War II. By 1948, Highlands had 3,000 residents and 75 businesses. In the 1950s, local business decreased and the population decreased to 2,723. A 1956 attempt for Highlands to incorporate did not pass. In the 1960s, Highlands had a canning sales company and an industrial chemical company. In the early 1960s, Highlands had 4,336 residents and 82 businesses. In 1965, W. O. Hutson built the Double Trouble Youth Rodeo Arena. In the early 1970s, Highlands had 3,462 residents and 66 businesses. By 1977, Highlands had 5,000 residents; in 1989 Highlands reported the same population. In 1990, Highlands had an estimated population of 6,632. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , of which is land and , or 25.18%, is water. Highlands is located on the banks of the San Jacinto River and the Houston Ship Channel. The majority of the land in Highlands is on a high river bank. The historic Lynchburg Ferry is nearby.

Highlands students are zoned to schools in the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District, though a small portion of the community is within the boundaries of Deer Park Independent School District. Highlands is divided between the Board of Trustees District 1 and the Board of Trustees District 3. As of 2008 Phelitria Barnes and Ken Martin represent the districts, respectively. Schools in Highlands CDP include Bonnie P. Hopper Elementary School (PK 1), Highlands Elementary School (2 5), and Highlands Junior High School (6 8). Harlem Elementary School (PK 5), outside of the Highlands CDP, serves some areas with Highlands addresses that are not in the CDP. Harlem was originally built in 1923. Highlands Elementary School opened in 1926 as part of the Crosby Independent School District. It joined GCISD in 1928. Highlands Junior High School has existed since 1958. Hopper opened in 1980. Harlem had its current facility built in 1992.

The Chinquapin School, a private school for low income students, is located east of the Highlands CDP at 2615 East Wallisville Road. The school opened in 1969.

Highlands is served by the Stratford Branch Library of Harris County Public Library (HCPL) at 509 Stratford Street. The branch first opened in 1966 in a building. A woman named Anna Stratford donated the property that the library sits on. In 1985 the library was renovated and more space was added, making the library 2,700 square feet.

Precinct 2 operates the Highlands Park and the Highlands and San Jacinto Community Centers at 604 Highlands Woods Drive. Highlands Park includes a picnic area, a playground, a lighted walking trail, an open shelter, a lighted basketball pavilion, a lighted tennis court, a covered barbecue pit, an exercise station, a spray park, and toilets. Stratford Park and the Stratford Library are located at 509 Stratford Street. The park includes a picnic area, a playground, an open shelter, a lighted baseball field, and toilets.