rollover pass (also called rollover fish pass) is a man-made strait that cuts through private property on the bolivar peninsula and links the gulf of mexico with rollover bay and east bay on the upper texas coast in eastern galveston county (). located on property owned by the gulf coast rod, reel and gun club and managed by the gilchrist community association, the pass was opened in 1955 by the texas game and fish commission when they were granted an easement by the property owners. the intent was to increase bay water salinity, promote growth of submerged vegetation, and help marine fish to and from spawning and feeding areas in the bay. rollover pass earned its name from the practice of smugglers who, from the days of spanish rule through prohibition, avoided the galveston customs station by rolling barrels of import or export merchandise (i.e., whiskey and rum) over the narrowest part of the peninsula.rollover pass handbook of texas online rollover pass is a popular location for fishing and birding. visitors come from all over the u.s. to camp, fish, and enjoy family recreation activities. on the morning of september 13, 2008 hurricane ike came ashore near galveston, texas. the storm surge associated with hurricane ike devastated the adjoining coastal communities of gilchrist (northeast from rollover pass) and caplen (southwest from rollover pass) along with most of the bolivar peninsula. as of 2014, homes and businesses have been rebuilt in the area, new residents are settling in, and visitors once again are able to travel through that section of highway 87. the rollover pass bridge has two lanes open instead of the original three. but texas historical marker number 7166 has yet to be replaced at the pass. == lawsuit == united states district court, southern district of texas, galveston division civil action no. 3:13-cv-00126 on april 19, 2013, the gulf coast rod, reel and gun club, inc. and the gilchrist community association filed a lawsuit in the u.s. district court, southern district of texas, galveston division, against jerry patterson, commissioner; the texas general land office; the u.s. army corps of engineers; col. christopher w. sallese, district engineer, galveston district, u.s. 
Transportation_in_Galveston_County,_Texas