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History in
a Pecan Shell
Manhattan was a
planned town to be situated at the mouth of Caney Creek on
East Matagorda Bay. The junction of the Matagorda Peninsula
with the mainland once appeared on maps as Manhattan Bay.
The early years of settlement in Matagorda
and Brazoria
counties and the heady optimism of Texas independence created a boom
of speculation with many trying to predict the next Brazoria
or Quintana. Manhattan never developed
- despite its optimistic name.
A local newspaper - the Matagorda Bulletin announced plans
for The Manhattan Academy to be established there. The trustees
included such notables as Anson
Jones, Mirabeau
Lamar and William H. Wharton. The academy was intended to be a
draw to the planned town, but the trustees were busy with other projects.
In 1838 the Caney Navigation Company listed three of the company's
officers with having a Manhattan residence. In 1843 papers incorporating
the Matagorda Caney Navigation Company referred to a place
"commonly called the town of Manhattan."
The Matagorda Bulletin reported in 1838 that weekly trips between
Matagorda and the town of Manhattan
would be made by a sloop - also named Manhattan. |
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Matagorda
County
1907 postal map showing Matagorda Bay
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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