Texas Coast Experience

Experience

TEXAS COAST

GUIDE TO TRAVEL IN TEXAS NOW

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E.C. Singer and the Singer Secret Service The story of the world’s first torpedo continues with Part 2.

Find out what happened to the H.L. Hunley and the sinking of the USS Housatonic, along with those who commanded them. Discover what the mission of the Singer Secret Service was and how it all started in Port Lavaca.

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The Lexington Part 2 continues the story of the legendary Blue Ghost. Read about her heroic encounters with Japanese kamikazes and her prowess over the Japanese Fleet. Three times she was reported sunk, only to reappear like the ghost she was. Find out where you can see and explore the Lady Lex for yourself. She’s closer than you think!

A Streetcar Named Fulton Vintage finery of gleaming wood, polished brass and etched glass, this girl is also equipped with air conditioning for cool riding in the summer months. The new trolley in Fulton takes you where you want to go around town - at no charge! No car required as the transportation is all on Fulton.

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fulton

port lavaca

Inside:

Jamie and John A. Speck are artists and a match made in heaven. These artists live their dream, making it all somehow work while busy being parents to their three, very creative and active children. Read about the art they create, both apart and together.

Historical Homes bay city

Discover where you can take a driving tour to see a 1908 Victorian jewel, a 1902 Queen Anne and an architectural hybrid incorporating both Colonial Revival and Queen Anne styles, all located in settings befitting their place in history. Read about who built them and the families who resided there.

The Importance Of The Brand

kingsville

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What is a “brand” and why is it so important? It’s because a brand distinguishes one seller’s product from those of others. Texas Now Magazine apologizes to the folks at King Ranch for some very embarrassing mistakes in messing with their brand! Find out how we messed up – royally!

Publisher

Thomas Meinhausen (361) 463-0125 tom@texasnowmag.com

✯

texas now AGE EVENTS, HERIT

, & THE ARTS

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The Artists Speck

Editor In Chief Marie Cook (361) 563-4038 marie@texasnowmag.com

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port lavaca

T he Beaches of Port Lavaca and Calhoun County

BY KAREN WILSON

Magnolia, Beach

When you close your eyes and imagine a coastline, what do you see?

Perhaps you see beaches - large dunes, vast expanses of sand and surf, the smell of coconut and salt air riding the wind as the rows of sun worshipers, surfers, and visitors enjoy. This is the coastline of my youth.

Seadrift, Texas

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s

h Cabana

Beac Indianola

Yet on this trip to discover the coast of Calhoun County, my concept and knowledge of the Texas Coast has been forever expanded. There are those who envision the quiet camaraderie of piers, hooks, bait, and catching “the big one.” Still, others go to contemplate, to meditate, to walk, or just find peace in nature. Many marvel at the birds and varied wildlife and others who love the water, but would rather avoid the sand.

Families come for time spent together, a Swan Point safe place where one can learn and teach without effort and play at any age. The adventurous explore by various means, and the historians connect with the explorers of long ago and the legacies they left upon these shores.

The coastline of Texas, which spans some 600 miles, offers limitless opportunities to satisfy one’s

unique coastal experience including a rich and fascinating history, and if you’re lucky, you too will come away with a broader, richer vision. The coastline of Calhoun County, Texas delivers a unique coastal experience not to be missed!

During my travels, the first stop was Seadrift, Texas.

It is the only town positioned on the San Antonio bay into which the Guadalupe River feeds. This location serves as the base and access point to the inland bay system. Known as “The Last Fishing Frontier,” Seadrift is an angler’s dream. Whether by boat, wade, or drift fishing, the trout, redfish, and flounder are plentiful. With a population of approximately 1500 people, the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. Since 1963, Seadrift has served as the finish line to the annual Texas Water Safari, known to some as the “world’s toughest canoe race.” Participants begin in the San Marcos River and canoe

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Site

Indianola Ba Fishing Porchit Stand, and Restaura nt urant

esta Porch and R g in h is F , d n ola Bait Sta

Indian through 260 miles of rivers and bays ending in Seadrift!

I visited Swan Point in Seadrift, also known as R. W. “Bill” Sanders Memorial Park. This is a coastal park and its natural beauty is enhanced by facilities for fishing, picnicking, windsurfing as well as available fresh water and access for the mobility impaired.

I have developed a “history hobby” since I’ve lived long enough to have one, but Indianola Beach And Historic Site was a rare occasion for me to leave the book, walk the ground, gain perspective and imagine another time.

René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, explored North America and began a nearby settlement in 1685.

An Indian trading port from 1844-1875, Indianola became a major seaport and a point of immigration for Germans and Poles into the United States. Supplies for frontier forts, and even camels were landed here by the Army as

an experiment for their use in desert areas of the U.S. In 1875, Indianola was a growing concern as a frontier seaport town with all the trappings of a community--schools, churches, theaters and more. In September of 1875 a hurricane devastated the town and rebuilding lagged. In August 1886, another hurricane struck the area and completed the devastation. It was total and the end of the town of Indianola; yet as I stood looking at the huge statue of LaSalle and then toward the shore, I felt I was able to see a coastline close to what he saw. Indianola is considered Texas’ Queen of ghost towns today. I didn’t find any ghosts, but I did delight in the spirit of considering time and linking with the past.

Indianola

Bait Sta

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and Rest aurant

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Port Lavaca

Magnolia Beach

Indianola also features some great beach cabanas right by the water where you can take a moment to sit and veg or enjoy a picnic surrounded by the mystique and history in the air. If you forgot your picnic basket you can enjoy a great meal (I did) at Indianola Fishing Marina. Offering a varied menu of burgers, seafood, and some excellent onion rings, you can also throw your line into the water and potentially catch dinner.

A short distance from Indianola, I discovered a quaint, romantic seaside community at Magnolia Beach. Relatively undiscovered, a rarity in coastal areas these days, such a community exists here. If imagining a coastal scene brings to mind peace, relaxation, bird watching, boating, fishing, and enjoying a pristine beach, Magnolia Beach is for you! Spending over one million dollars, an 8 mile long beach project was completed, and the results are impressive! One section features great amenities which actually enhance the natural beauty of the area, and provide for a family or group experience.

On this section of the beach no driving is allowed. If you have children, it’s a perfect place. With a playground nearby and a volleyball court, Magnolia beach

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Magnoli a Beach

delivers extraordinarily to this preference.

Separated by pylons, another section of the beach is a beautifully unadorned expanse of glorious sand and water—no tables here unless you bring your own. Vehicles are allowed to drive and park on the beach and near the water. It is simply gorgeous! This area is meant for those who prefer, a fishing pole or a lawn chair and a bit of sunscreen—maybe a book. Facilities are very near, but in this area, the coastline itself plays the starring role! Magnolia Beach truly stole my heart!

Our final destination on this coastal trek was Port Lavaca, the seat of Calhoun County! The town, originally named La Vaca (the cow) in 1841, was laid out a year later. The city is situated on a bluff 15 to 20 feet above the beautiful bay and is filled with history. Commission men from the east reportedly played a significant role in establishing Lavaca. They envisioned this town as an important shipping point for exporting raw materials and importing manufactured goods.

Lavaca fulfilled this expectation as the busiest port on the adjoining Matagorda and Lavaca bays during the period of the Republic of Texas.

Lighthouse Beach features white sands and the shoreline here has its own unique charm, as it curves and

Port Lavaca

Port O’C onnor juts out here and there. Driving is allowed on the beach, and there are covered tables and barbeque pits set back from the water with a wonderful children’s playground. Other amenities include a large covered pavilion, 4750 foot walking path and a section for camping in your RV. This section boasts 55 full hook-up sites, including cable TV, restroom facility, washers/ dryers and a recreation center for those enjoying the tropical comforts this site has to offer.

Be sure and take a stroll on the 2200 foot board walk from the beach to the bird tower. The tower was made from recycled materials provided through bonds approved and paid for by the citizens of Port Lavaca and grants from the Formosa Environmental trust fund. At the time of its construction it was the world’s longest boardwalk made entirely of recycled plastic. The boardwalk is built out over the wetland, giving nature enthusiasts a fantastic view of many species of birds and other marine life.

Lighthouse Beach has a great place for the little ones too. The Splash Park area is a flat surface of approximately 2700 square feet. The interactive spray play area contains many features that spray, splash and soak the patrons of the park. As the users step on the pad they are greeted with the Touch & Go Activator with the button that sets the magic in motion. The Splash Park features a large amoeba-shaped Splash Deck, and a new play structure with curved slide and observation deck, which was installed nearby on a soft surface designed to prevent injury.

As in every place I visited, the fishing, birding, boating, and coastal delights are plentiful here. And let’s not forget one of the most important features offered by Port Lavaca – its great variety of hotel accommodations!!

This trip along the coastline of Calhoun County was so worth the time. My understanding of what “the beach” means to me has been enhanced immeasurably. I have discovered places, people, history, and quaint individual communities along a short stretch of my own backyard—places to which I will return, depending on what sort of beach experience I’m in the mood for! Take this trek along the Calhoun County Coastline, and find your own coastal experience. ✯

Port O

’Con nor

Port Lavaca

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corpus christi

USS LEXINGTON...

Part 2

Read Part 1 At TexasNOWmag.com Japanese propaganda specialist Tokyo Rose announced the Blue Ghost had been sunk after a hit by one of their torpedo planes. They had no idea‌ the Japanese would be in for a big surprise!

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...FROM IMAGINATION TO REALITY A Story by Roger Williams Repairs were completed at Bremerton, Wash., Feb., 1944, and she was ready to re-enter the war. After a quick stop in Alameda, Calif., she sailed for Pearl Harbor to join Task Force 58. Adm. Marc Mitscher, commander of TF 58, was waiting for the Blue Ghost to meet them at the island of Majuro.

TF 58 used Majuro as its home base for supporting US ground forces as they island hop their way across the western Pacific.

For the next 18 months TF 58 leads naval forces across the Pacific destroying Japanese strongholds. April 13, 1944, TF 58 participated in the landing at Hollandia.

TF 58s’ next stop is Truk where the Ghost, despite heavy attacks by Japanese aircraft, received no damage. Tokyo Rose erroneously reported (for a second time) that the Lexington was lost to Japanese air attacks.

On June 16, while supporting U.S. Marines at the battle for the island of Saipan, the Lexington fought off a heavy attack of Japanese torpedo planes based on the island of Guam. For a third time Tokyo Rose announced the Lexington had been sunk and again, she was wrong.

air forces lost 128 planes during the battle which became known as the “Marianas Turkey Shoot” when pilots bragged that it was like “shooting turkeys up there.”

The U.S. fleet encountered the Japanese kamikaze for the first time at the second battle of the Philippine Sea. On Nov. Five, the fleet is attacked by hordes of kamikazes.

Already in flames from repeated anti-aircraft fire a lone kamikaze slams into the Lexington’s starboard (right) side; shrapnel and burning air fuel is sent flying onto the flight deck which destroyed most of the ship’s command island. Within 20 minutes damage control parties brought the fires under control which allowed normal air operations to continue. The attack killed 50 and injured 132 of Lexington’s blue jackets. Structural repairs are completed at the Navy’s repair base located at the

By June 19, the Lexington was back in action anticipating the next onslaught of Japanese carrier and landbased planes. During the next two days the U.S. Navy sank three Japanese carriers, two refueling ships and destroyed 600+Japanese airplanes. American

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Ulithi atoll. Tokyo Rose declared her sunk for a fourth time, but the Ghost returned to the fleet for the invasion of Iwo Jima, Feb. 19, 1945.

Allied forces with a live radio address to the citizens of Japan on Aug. 15, 1945.

The Lexington returned to Bremerton, Wash., for a much needed overhaul and to provide shore leave for her exhausted crew. May 22, overhaul completed, she sailed for San Pedro Bay located on the island of Leyte, Philippines. Vice Adm. John S. McCain’s Task Force 38 was waiting on the Lady Lex to assist with the final assault of the war against Japan. She mounted air attacks against the industrial complex of the Japanese homeland from July 10 to Aug. 15, 1945.

Even with the Emperor’s announcement of the Japanese surrender the Lexington continued to send out air patrols. She dropped much needed supplies to prisoner-of-war camps on the island of Honshu, and according to the crew publication The Lexington Baedeker, the Lady Lex made a “triumphant entrance into Tokyo Bay” on Sept. Six, 1945. There she remained supporting the occupation/reconstruction of Japan until December 1945 when she is ordered to return to the U.S. She acted as a ferry for returning troops (Operation Magic Carpet) and arrived at San Francisco Dec. 13, 1945. She finished postwar operations along the West Coast of Calif., before being decommissioned at Bremerton, Wash., April 23, 1947.

U.S. B29 bombers, based at the island of Tinian, dropped atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima (Aug. 6) and Nagasaki (Aug. 8) which, in the end, forced an end to the war. Emperor Hirohito announced the surrender of Japan to

At the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard April 23, 1952, the Lexington began her conversion to a modern carrier capable of handling jet aircraft.

As part of her modernization she received a new angled flight deck,

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along with new catapults which were needed to launch and retrieve jet aircraft. The Lexington is re-commissioned Aug. 15, 1955, and joins the 7th Fleet.

The Lexington is assigned to her new home port at the San Diego naval base. May 1956, she embarked on a six-month cruise with the 7th Fleet where she was based at the Port of Yokosuka. From there the fleet made port-of-calls to various Far Eastern countries to “show the flag.” She returned to San Diego, Dec. 1956, to be prepared for her next deployment. She remained with the 7th Fleet until her next overhaul in 1957 after which the Lexington returned to her Japanese base at Yokosuka for peacekeeping duties. After a 1960 overhaul she returned for the final time to the Far East in support of US interests during the 1961 Laotian Crisis.

January 1962 the Ghost received orders to return to US waters and relieve the USS Antietam (CVS-36) as a training carrier in the Gulf of Mexico. She returned to attack carrier status during the Cuban Missile Crisis in Oct. of 1962. She finally relieves the Antietam on Dec. 29, 1963. For the next 30 years she oversaw the training of Naval and Marine pilots in carrier operations. Dec. 1, 1969, she received the designation of CVT-16 (Navy Training Carrier.) The Lady Lex called the ports of Pensacola, Corpus Christi and New Orleans home until 1992 when she retired from active duty.

During her illustrious and colorful career she served her country well. Some of the Lexington’s accomplishments are: • She steamed more miles, 209,000, which equaled eight trips around the world and served longer, 40 years, than any other Essex carrier.

• She was the first naval vessel to have women as crew members.

• She was the first carrier to deploy air-to-surface missiles • She was the first foreign heavy fleet carrier to enter Tokyo Bay after World War II.

• She was honored with a Presidential Unit Citation and received 11 battle stars for her World War II service.

On June 15, 1992, the Lexington was decommissioned and donated to the City of Corpus Christi, Texas, as a maritime museum. Corpus Christi provided a specially built berth to house Lady Lex which is maintained by the USS LEXINGTON Museum on the Bay.

From Imagination to Reality.

The Past coming through to The Present to Help shape the Future The USS Lexington Museum on the Bay has made a major economic impact on the Coastal Bend. This isn’t your typical museum. Once aboard there are tours to take, opportunities for overnight camping, eating in the Mess Deck Café and experiencing the Joe Jessel 3DMEGA Theater! A flight simulator is even located on the hangar deck for those who want to try their hand at flying a simulated jet off a carrier! Wow. Can you imagine piloting a jet off an aircraft carrier!! The museum also offers guided hard hat tours into the bowels of the ship which usually take 3-4 hours to complete.

Advanced reservations are needed and can be made by calling the ship’s ticket office.

When you go make sure to visit the recently renovated “Pearl Harbor: Course of Valor” exhibit which opened Dec. 7, 2014.

Check out the Lexington the next time you’re in Corpus Christi. You’re going to want to make it part of your vacation this year. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget.

The USS LEXINGTON Museum on the Bay is located at 2914 Nth. Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi, Texas. The ship is open daily for tours. For exact times call 1-800LADY LEX or visit their website http://usslexington.com. ✯

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fulton

A STREETCAR NAMED

Fulton WHERE: Fulton, Texas WHEN: Friday 4-10

Saturday 10-10

Sunday 10-5 COST: IT’S FREE

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A

ctually the new streetcar in the town of Fulton is a trolley and her name is Miss Alene! Named after the first woman Mayor of Fulton, this trolley has made her way to our sleepy little fishing village after a tour of duty in California where she served visitors to the campus of Azusa Pacific University. Decked out in vintage finery of gleaming wood, polished brass and etched glass, this girl is also equipped with air conditioning for cool riding in the summer months.

The brainchild of Fulton Mayor Jimmy Kendrick, his vision of providing alternate transportation within the community proved successful when trams were used during the town’s famous Oysterfest celebration. This four day event held the first weekend in March plays host to over 40,000 attendees each year and utilizing trams to shuttle people to and from Oysterfest was a resounding hit! With a very limited budget Mayor Kendrick began pulling the research together for bringing a trolley to Fulton. His vision became a reality with the purchase of “Miss Alene”.

The Town of Fulton has deep roots in early Texas his-

tory. Founded in 1866 the town was named after George W. Fulton, who arrived on a flatboat with 60 other men during the war for independence between Texas and Mexico. He was a surveyor, engineer, businessman and inventor who developed the area into a growing concern. He designed and built his dream home, which he named Oakhurst (Fulton Mansion). The house featured up-to-date conveniences, such as indoor plumbing, central gas lighting and heating. This was quite a progressive feat in Texas in 1877 and the Fulton Mansion Historic Site is on the trolley route.

The Town of Fulton to this day continues as a growing concern and under the town’s leadership continues George Fulton’s progressive approach to development. There are many historic and interesting spots in Fulton you’ll discover while touring on the trolley. Places you might not see otherwise. Riding in air conditioned comfort on this

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All the “hot spots” are included in the trolley’s route and the great thing is you don’t need a car to get there! vintage style trolley to and fro is like being on a sightseeing tour – at no charge!

Where does she travel? Her route is everywhere in Fulton you’d want to. All the “hot spots” are included in the trolley’s route and the great thing is you don’t need a car to get there! If you happen to be traveling by plane, simply take a cab to the hotel in Fulton and ride the trolley. When you arrive and you’ve got to do what Fulton is famous for right off, then grab your gear and take the trolley over to the famous Fulton Fishing Pier. Stay as long as you choose. The fish are always biting! From 8am-10pm on Friday-Sunday, the trolley runs its one hour route. Stay one hour or several hours, the choice is yours.

Just think, you’re at your hotel and would like to run down, have a meal, go fishing, shopping or just hang out staring at the water…jump on the trolley and don’t worry about parking. Don’t worry about getting back – when you’re ready hop back on the trolley and off you go. Plus, you’ll also be getting a beautiful tour of the quaint fishing village of Fulton – for FREE! The trolley route includes 15 stops in Fulton starting at the Fulton Fishing Pier area. Across the Harbor area to the Fulton Convention Center and travels up Fulton Beach Road stopping at Alice Faye’s On the Bay Restaurant & Bar and the Sandollar Resort. Continuing up Fulton Beach Road the trolley makes stops at the Sportsman Manor and Pelican Bay Resort. Turning west you’ll ride down beautiful Bay Street and Highway 35 arriving safe and sound at the Hampton Inn, the top rated Hampton in the country.

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Turning south the trolley continues making stops at hotels, restaurants and clubs along the 35 corridor. The trolley turns on Henderson Street heading east back toward the water.

You’ll be passing through a lovely neighborhood with a stop at George Fulton’s home, the Fulton Mansion Historic Site. The trolley completes its route on Fulton Beach Road, right in the heart of Fulton. Great eateries, shops and hotels are all located in the heart of Fulton, including the historic Schoolhouse Museum (open Sat-Sun 1-4pm).

June 19-20th, the trolley will be making a special run during the 6th annual Texas Game Warden Association Fishing Tournament and Music Fest, making sure everyone gets to and from the event safely!

So, you don’t really need a car when you stay and play in Fulton! Come take a ride on us your next trip to Fulton – and if you’ve never visited, we’d love to have you! ✯

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rockport

THE ARTISTS

Speck J

amie and John A. Speck are artists - plain and simple. They met in a college painting class at Texas State University back in 1997, when John approached and asked if Jamie would help him stretch his canvas. Their first date was at the San Antonio Museum of Art and it was a match made in Heaven (and the art world). Both these artists continue to live their dream, making it all somehow work while busy being parents to their three, very creative and active children, ages 5-9.

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For the past fifteen years, John has worked in public schools as an art teacher and administrator. In addition, he also teaches online art appreciation part-time for Blinn College, and facilitates workshops in drawing and printmaking at the Rockport Center for the Arts. Just this past May, John accepted a position as Director of Visual Arts at the Rockport Center for the Arts.

John explains his passion for art: “Michelangelo said, ‘Only God creates. The rest of us just copy.’ I sympathize, completely. Often, I look to the past – sometimes centuries – and follow the mysterious pathways and methods other master artists have skillfully developed.”

“I draw. I paint. I enjoy hand-pulling prints. My work can be academic, absurd, surreal, and humorous. I am a maker of images, and by the Grace of God, a survivor.

After spending nearly a decade as a school administrator, I have returned to the world

PIN CUSHIONS AND STARFISH JAMIE SPECK

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of art and the studio, so that I might share my knowledge and pursue my first love. I would say that I am in a state of transition – but we all are, in some sense.” J.A.S. A mixed-media artist, Jamie (Liebscher) Speck completed her undergraduate work at Texas State University in San Marcos, where she majored in studio art, and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.F.A.. She received her Master’s degree in painting and drawing at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas in 2002. She has taught art in public schools, and presently works as a part-time, on-line Art Instructor for Blinn College and studio artist.

Jamie received the “Award in Creativity” at the Art Center of Corpus Christi’s Thread Sense Texas Fiber Exhibit, by juror and 40 year fiber artist, Lucia LaVilla-Havelin. She was also selected as a 2011 Merit Artist by invited juror Christa Brothers of Bismarck

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Studios in San Antonio, in the annual Merit Artists Exhibition, “Standing Out” at the Rockport Center for the Arts.

John and Jamie create their art both apart and together. These artists also work on collaborative pieces – some think that John is using Jamie as his model for many of his prints and paintings. Jamie describes how their collaboration is accomplished and what each artist contributes: “John lays out the preliminary sketch for the figures, and then oil paints the skin. I lay in the backgrounds, hair, and accessories (dress, tail, etc...). The dress bodice on “Sea Goddess 5” is made out of cut pages from Homer’s “Iliad.” The octopus on her head is painted in India Ink. The mermaid’s tail on “Siren of the Sea” is created from cut corn husks and there is hand-stitched embroidery in the background design. John always begins the work and then passes it to me. We have a system where we don’t discuss our initial ideas until we each get a turn to complete our work. After we each finish our individual parts of the work, we critique and talk about finishing details, or address areas that we are not totally

satisfied with. We really enjoy working together on artworks - it pulls each of our strengths together.

John has wonderful drawing ability and is good with illustrating figures. I love working with textures and color.”

The couple work out of their studio located in the Rockport Downtown Heritage District. A black seahorse bearing a white “3” stands out against the cerulean blue of the building where the Specks have their gallery. Here they laugh, love and create art! The studio isn’t always open to the public during regular business hours, as they are also raising three children. Family comes first! However, the couple plans to open their doors to the public on Saturdays, 11-5 during the summer months. Jamie is almost always at the studio painting or sewing during the day and a phone call would be all it took for you to be invited inside. John and Jamie also give lessons to small private groups, along with individual art lessons at the studio.

Lessons are given by John in Non-Toxic Printmaking Workshops, Drypoint Intaglio, Block Printing and Basic Painting. Jamie conducts Mixed Media Workshops and private lessons for individuals or small groups. In addition to the art displayed in their art studio, Jamie’s hand sewn pin cushions, pillows, starfish and more can also be found online at Etsy under the ”Arttery & Stitch” name.

For more information about Jamie and John Speck and the art they create go to: http://johnaustinspeck.com/ or www.jamiespeck.com or visit them at their studio located at 504 S. Austin in downtown Rockport. They can be reached by phone at (979) 204-4396. ✯ GALLERY EXTERIOR

“NOT FILTHY,” 16 X 20 IN., OIL ON PANEL BY JOHN A. SPECK

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bay city

Historical Homes

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The Texas Historical Marker for the Holman House reads: Spanish-American War Veteran And Matagorda County Judge (1908-1914) William Shields Holman And His Wife Louise (Kaulbach) Built This House In 1908-09. Designed By A. W. Large And Constructed By Contractor H. Speckles, The House Is An Excellent Example Of Queen Anne Styling.

It Features Asymmetrical Composition, An Elaborate Roofscape, Corner Tower, Wraparound Porch, And Varying Textures On Its Wall Surfaces. It Remained In The Holman Family Until 1978.

One of the most photographed homes in Matagorda County, construction of this Victorian jewel was started in 1908 and completed in 1909. Built for Judge and Mrs. William Shields Holman, the home is 3-stories in height with a 2-story carriage house in back and occupies a quarter of the city block.

The house contains 14 rooms, 3 porches, 3 balconies, an expansive attic, an upstairs hallway, ample closets and 3 original fireplaces. The exterior of the home is of Louisiana cypress weatherboarding, the interior of pine, with wide-planked pine floors. Metal shingles cover the sharply-pitched roof, on which lightning rods with ornamental glass balls are mounted. While on a business trip, Judge Holman spotted 2 carloads of Louisiana cypress on a railroad siding. He bought it on the spot for his new home. Underground concrete blocks are anchor-bolted to solid

pillars of red brick, 3-feet in height which were designed to support the house above then recurrent floodwaters. These also provided strength against hurricane force winds and would provide a drying/crawl space under the house.

The front entrance of the home faces east and is protected by a large brick-and-ninecolumned porch which was designed to catch morning light and gulf breezes. A large turret covers the southeast corner of the porch, with a multi-windowed tower on the third floor above. An enjoyable balcony is above the main entrance and a dormer on the roof above. The front entrance is stunning with leaded glass above ornamented pine panels on either side of and above the heavy relief-decorated pine and oval plate glass front door. The original hand-turned door bell is still in operation on the panel to the left.

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The Texas Historical Marker for the Moore House reads: Dolph Phenias (D.P.) Moore (1852-1928) Moved To Matagorda County In 1869.

He Married Louise Wendel In 1879 And Together They Reared Ten Children. A Successful Merchant, Rancher, And Landowner, Moore Sold The Land On Which The Town Of Bay City Was Platted In 1894. He Moved His Family To Bay City That Year. Local Contractors Hatchett & Large Built This 15-Room Queen Anne Style House For The Moores In 1902.

A Prominent Civic Leader, Moore Was Instrumental In Bringing Railroads To Bay City And In The Development Of The Area’s Rice Industry. He Donated Land For Cedarvale Cemetery And Park.

The Moore home with its’ elegant proportioning and fine detail combine to make this well-designed structure one of the finest late Victorian residences in the city.

Built in 1902 by builders Hatchett and Large, the land was purchased from David Swickheimer co-founder of Bay City in 1894. This late Victorian 2-story is a 4-bay wood-frame residence which features a columned and balustraded front porch and gallery. It has a projecting gable roofed section with bay and a small Palladian window in the gable. The house has two fireplaces with grill work in both the music and dining rooms. Containing both front and rear stairs there are also porches on both the first and second floors.

Beautiful leaded glass windows allow for light in the living room, with a frosted and etched glass front door catching light at the entry. Located on the first floor are both dining and breakfast rooms, two kitchens, bedroom and a bath. A living

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and music room complete the first floor. Boasting five bedrooms on the 2nd floor, there is also a parlor and bath. A closed stairway leads to the attic with a ladder extending to the widow’s walk.

The first cement sidewalk in the city extends from the house to the street and a picket fence enclosed the six lots. Originally, an attached building held the acetylene gas plant, as gas was used until the house was wired for electricity in 1903. Above the gas house was an octagon-shaped structure holding a Cyprus cistern. The cistern was fed from rain gutters on the roof.

The yard contained a windmill/ tank, and a large 2-story barn with stalls for horses, corn crib and hay storage along with a room for the carriage. Other buildings included a chicken house, brick sweet potato house, pens for the livestock and a one-room servant’s house.

Mordello Stephen Perry (M.S.) was born in 1872 at Peach Point Plantation in Brazoria County.

He was also the grand-nephew of Stephen F. Austin. Cora Alice Perry, his wife, was born in 1883 in Colorado County, Texas and they had four children. The Perry Family acquired 3 adjoining lots in 1906 for $900.00 where they began to build their home. The family moved into the house unfinished in November 1917 and completed work one year later.

The house’s layered boards are built with one vertical and one horizontal. Using seven nails where normally four were sufficient, the house was stuccoed with metal lathe and concrete.

The roof was cedar shingles.

George Schultz was the builder and the Perrys were the designers. No architect or contractor was used in either the design or the construction. The downstairs rooms all opened to each other which were designed for entertaining. A hot water tank was built into the wall next to the fireplace in the library. This supplied hot water to the upstairs bathrooms. The kitchen boasted a double sink with drain board. The third floor was the children’s play area with plans made to someday have a ballroom there. Sadly with the death of M.S. in 1919 the third floor ballroom was never completed.

The garage was located in the northwest corner of the property adjacent to the alley.

The garage was large enough for two cars. In the southwest portion of the property a barn was constructed. The mules used by LeTulle Mercantile for deliveries were kept in the barn along with the family’s horse. Pigeons were kept by M.S. in the loft of the barn and there

were gardens with citrus trees on the southeast part of the property. Shortly after the death of her husband Mrs. Perry moved to Big Springs Ranch with her children. She sold the house in 1943.

From 1943-1970, the home was owned by three different people and rented out to various tenants. First, as a boarding house and later divided into four apartments. In 1971 the house was purchased by Eddie and Jessica Jecmenek. It was in dire need of repair and major renovation. The chimneys and widow’s walk on the roof had been completely destroyed by a tropical storm.

The Jecmeneks were very active in the city’s historical community and thoroughly researched the house before attempting restoration. Carefully studying early photos their goal was to restore everything as accurately as possible. The partitions for the apartments were removed with the original ceilings being cleaned and painted. The dining, living, music rooms and library were restored in Victorian décor with vintage wallpaper.

The house was completely rewired and a new roof was put on. The front porch, which had been removed at some time, was faithfully restored; the hardwood floors all refinished and the doors restored to their original positions. This beautiful house in the hands of a family, who cares, has preserved its beauty and once again is opened for special occasions, just as it was almost one-hundred years ago. ✯

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kingsville

THE IMPOR TANCE OF

Brand THE

Y

a just never know what kind of trouble you can get into by messing with somebody’s brand! Back in the day we could be hung as cattle rustlers for altering a rancher’s brand !

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What is a “brand” and why is it so important? According to Wikipedia, “A brand is a name, term, design or other feature that distinguishes one seller’s product from those of others.”

Brands are used in business, marketing, advertising and cattle ranching. Initially, livestock branding was done to distinguish one person’s cattle from another’s by means of a symbol burned into the animal’s skin with a hot branding iron.

The act of branding livestock with fire-heated marks to identify ownership dates back to the times of the ancient Egyptians. The Romans sometimes used brands as part of a magic spell which protected the animals from harm.

The word “brand” itself is derived from the Germanic language which roughly translates to “burning, fire”. This originally indicated anything that was hot or burning, such as a “firebrand” or a burning stick. By the middle Ages in Europe, it was used commonly to refer to the process of burning a mark into stock animals with thick hides, such as cattle, to display or identify ownership. The practice became

“A brand is a name, term, design or other feature that distinguishes one seller’s product from those of others.”

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particularly widespread in nations with large cattle grazing regions, such as Spain.

Imported to the Americas the brand was refined by the vaquero tradition in Texas and northern Mexico. A “branding iron” was made of an iron rod with a simple symbol or mark, which cowboys heated in a fire. After the branding iron turned red hot, the cowboy pressed the branding iron against the hide of the cow. The unique brand meant the cattle owned by multiple ranches would then be able to graze freely together on the open range. Cowboys could then separate the cattle at roundup time for driving to market. Cattle rustlers using running irons were ingenious in changing brands.

The most famous brand change involved the making of the “XIT” brand into the Star-Cross brand, a star with a cross inside.

Brands became so numerous that it became necessary to record them in books which the ranchers could carry in their pockets. Laws were passed requiring the registration of brands, and the inspection of cattle driven through various territories. Penalties were imposed on those who failed to obtain a bill of sale with a list of brands on the animals purchased.

I suppose you could say that someone’s brand is darn near sacred!

The branding of livestock by ranchers continues to this day. It is a time honored skill and tradition that Texas ranchers are rightfully proud of. The most recognized brand in the world, King Ranch’s Running W, is a brand the ranch has always guarded closely and rightly so. From quality leather goods to prize winning cattle; the brand also appears on special edition Ford trucks as a symbol of quality and luxury.

Bottom line – don’t mess with someone’s brand! ✯

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