CORTES, TEXAS

Texas Ghost Town
Matagorda County, Texas Gulf Coast

Just West of Bay City
The exact location is said to be about one mile N of Hwy 35
Population: 0

Cortes, Texas Area Hotels › Bay City Hotels

History in a Pecan Shell

This lost town was between Markham and the Colorado River alongside the tracks of the railroad.

The history of Cortes is linked to that of Markham. The Cortes post office was moved to Markham in 1903 and renamed in 1903. Both towns appear on the 1920 map (above).

The namesake was H. W. Cortes, who, as president of the Moore-Cortes Canal Company had his headquarters here.

Cortes peaked around 1903 with the depot, post office and a hotel making up most of the communities business district.

By the 1930s, Cortes was dropped from the state highway map.

1920s map showing Cortes in north central Matagorda County between Bay City and Markham
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

Take a road trip

Texas Gulf Coast

Cortes, Texas Nearby Towns:
Bay City the county seat
Markham
Blessing
Matagorda
Wharton
El Campo
Danevang

See Matagorda County | Wharton County

Book Hotel Here:
Bay City Hotels | More Hotels

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