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Matagorda History
in a Seashell
For such a sleepy
place - Matagorda has a lot of History.
It was established in 1827 when Stephen
F. Austin got permission from Mexico to build a town. Fifty-two
families from New York and New England became the first settlers.
It was incorporated in 1830 and two years later it had over 1400 people.
During the Mexican invasion, Matagorda was abandoned. When the people
returned after San
Jacinto, they formed a county and made Matagorda the county seat
in 1836. The town continued to proper and soon got a newspaper as
well as several schools.
The Civil War created a tense atmosphere as Matagorda was a port for
blockade runners. Although it was never invaded, the town was fired
on by Federal ships. After the war, the "Plantation economy" suffered
from want of labor.
Hurricanes repeatedly swept the area, which perhaps explains the expanses
of open land today. Bay City became
the Matagorda County Seat in 1894 when they figured an inland courthouse
might be safer.
A hurricane in 1942 forced the county to build a levee. It was wise
planning for it minimized damage in 1961 when Hurricane Carla hit
the area. By 1950 the population had declined to 650 people. It has
continued a slow decline to reach the (1990) population of 605.
Matagorda Centennial Marker
Matagorda Historic Landmarks/Attractions
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Historic churches, homes, lodge, cemetery, bridges... |
Texas
Centennial Marker:
City of Matagorda
Projected site
of a town in 1826. Founded in 1829 with Stephen
F. Austin, Elias R. Wightman, Hosea H. League and Ira Ingram as
proprietors. Third largest town in Texas in 1834. Incorporated January
28, 1839. County seat of Matagorda
County, 1837-1894. Badly wrecked by storms in 1854 and 1875. An
early cultural center of Texas as evidenced by schools, churches and
press. |
Photo
courtesy Barclay
Gibson, February 2009
Click on image for photo of text close-up |
Matagorda Historic
Landmarks/Attractions
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Christ Episcopal
Church with markers
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, February 2009 |
Christ
Episcopal Church historical marker
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, February 2009 |
Christ Church
Centennial Marker
On Cypress and Lewis
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, February 2009 |
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Texas Centennial
Marker:
Christ Church
On a site approximately 400 yards east stood Christ Church. First
Episcopal church in Texas. Organized January 27, 1839. The Rev. Caleb
S. Ives, Rector. Building consecrated February 25, 1844 by the Rt.
Rev. Leonidas Polk,, D.D., Bishop of Louisiana. Diocese of Texas established
January 1, 1849. Building destroyed by hurricane September 11, 1854.
Rebuilt on present site. The Rev. Mr. Ives and his wife established
and taught an early school in connection with the parish. |
Matagorda
Methodist Church
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, February 2009 |
Matagorda
Methodist Church Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine |
St. Peter's Baptist
Church
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, February 2009 |
St. Peter's Baptist
Church Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, February 2009 |
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The
Dale-Rugley-Sisk Home
TE Photo |
Historical
Marker:
Dale-Rugeley-Sisk Home ca. 1830
Has withstood many hurricanes. A cultural, social, political center.
Home of: A. C. Horton, 1st lieutenant-governor of Texas and governor
7 months; Rev. Caleb Ives, 1st rector of 1st Episcopal Church in Texas;
W. L. Sartwell, partner in Ives-Sartwell-Academy; a leading churchwoman,
Mrs. S. M. Dale; F. L. Rugeley, son of a Confederate leader; Robt.
J. Sisk, pioneer in rice, oil and land development.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1964 |
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Matagorda Post
Office Display
Photo
courtesy Barclay
Gibson, August 2011
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Matagorda
Lodge on Marice and Fisher, Matagorda
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, 2008 |
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Historical Marker:
Matagorda Lodge No. 7, A.F. & A.M.
One of the oldest Masonic
lodges in Texas, this lodge traces its history to the Republic
of Texas. A group of masons met together on June 24, 1838, and petitioned
the newly created Grand Lodge of Texas for a charter to Seth Ingram
as first master.
From its beginning, the Matagorda Lodge was active and influential
in the community's development. The first services of Christ Episcopal
Church were held in the Masonic Hall. The masons operated a lending
library for the town's citizens and supported local public education
projects.
In 1868, due to a succession of financial difficulties and the strains
of the Civil War, the Matagorda Lodge was deactivated. The members
maintained interest in the lodge, however, and it was finally rechartered
by the grand lodge in 1911 under its original number.
Many prominent Texans have been affiliated with this lodge, including
local and state government officials. The lodge has counted among
its members veterans of the war of 1812, the Texas Revolution, Mexican
War, Civil War, World War
I, World War
II, Korea, and Vietnam.
(1990) |
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Matagorda
Lodge Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, 2008 |
Matagorda
Bay Nature Park
A 1600-acre park and preserve at the mouth of the Colorado River on
the Matagorda Peninsula
(979) 863-2603
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine |
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Shrimp
Boats at Matagorda
TE Photo |
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Water
scene Near Matagorda
TE Photo |
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Church
and Date Palm in Matagorda
TE Photo |
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Awaiting
restoration - Typical Gulf Coast Architecture
TE photo |
Matagorda Chronicles
Rafting
Cotton from Bastrop to Matagorda by Mike Cox ("Texas Tales"
column)
During the 1840s and continuing through the Civil War, Central Texans
saw the Colorado River as a transportation artery connecting them
with the Gulf of Mexico.
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Matagorda
- "Where Texas History Began"
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, 2009 |
Matagorda
County
From 1920 Texas state map #10749 showing Matagorda
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
Matagorda Texas
Forum
Subject:
Old Texas Swing Bridge
It has come to my attention that the old
Swing Bridge in Matagorda, TX is soon to be replaced by a more
modern bridge.
Is anyone researching or doing a documentary on the renovation of
this historic bridge? Thanks. - Eryn Hall, July 16, 2005
Subject:
Matagorda History
Matagorda has historic significance, color, and is a very nice town.
An interesting fact is that a huge logjam existed on the
Colorado river near here for many years, and was cleared early last
century, creating a division in Matagorda bay with a new river delta.
Now we have East, and West Matagorda Bays. Cattle drives here are
historic too. - Patrick Feagins, January 02, 2002
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| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history
and vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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