Channelview got its name from its position on the northeastern bend of the Houston Ship Channel. The area where Channelview is situated used to be the residence of Lorenzo de Zavala, who played a key role in establishing the Republic of Texas. In the past, during World War II, the region south of Market to the Ship Channel, including present-day DeZavala St. to the tollway, was under the control of the U.S. Army as the San Jacinto Ordnance Depot.