Jamaica Beach

Located on Farm Road 3005 and West Bay just south of Galveston Island State Park, Jamaica Beach was the site of an ancient Karankawa Indian graveyard. Discovered in 1962 near what is now the corner of Jolly Roger and Bob Smith Streets, extensive archeological study was done on the site and it is now part of Jamaica Beach City Park.

Jamaica Beach started as the “huntin’ and fishin’ camp of sports enthusiast Bob Smith in the early 1950s. He and six friends developed the area as a beach and playland for themselves. The group incorporated as Jamaica Beach Ltd. in 1956 and later became the Jamaica Resort Corporation. When the company decided to offer stock to the public, the name changed again to Timewealth. By-laws and deed restrictions were put in place to ensure organized and orderly growth. Jamaica Beach was incorporated as a General Law City in the State of Texas in 1975.

Jamaica Beach today has more than 1,100 homes and continues to enjoy unqualified success as a beach paradise for secondary and, increasingly, primary residences. Although impacted by Hurricane Ike in 2008, the area has rebounded rapidly and continues to grow. Prices for existing homes range from the $100,000s to near $1 million.