Kansas, Oklahoma families founded Riceville in early 1900s; It was gone by 1930s

   Riceville was in south central Matagorda County, probably at a site west of Lake Austin and south of Farm Road 521 about thirteen miles southeast of Bay City.     It was settled in the early 1900s by families from Kansas and Oklahoma who came because of a land promotion.

Matagorda County receives Distinguished Service Award from Texas Historical Commission

   The Matagorda CHC has been awarded a 2021 Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Historical Commission (THC).     This annual award affirms Matagorda CHC appointees for managing well-rounded history and preservation-related programs that enrich Texas communities.

Christ Church 1st organized congregation in Matagorda

   The town of Matagorda was less than 10 years old when Christ Church came into being as one of the first organized Christian congregations of any significance in that community.

Bay City, Camp Hulen part of German POW system

   When the United States went to war in 1941, what to do with enemy prisoners of war was among the last considerations of a country reeling from a Japanese attack and preparing for war in Europe.

Local headlines detail chronology of POW camp here

  War Prisoners On Way To County; Camp Begun Here    F. O. Montague was informed Monday night that the first contingent of German prisoners of war was brought into Matagorda [County] Tuesday with their escort of guards. It was expected that the group would number 150.

"Markham United Methodist Church organized in 1904" By Marianne Hayes

   The Markham United Methodist Church was organized March 13, 1904, and services were held in a community church situated on the site of the present Markham Baptist Church.     This building was constructed between 1902 and 1903 and has recently been replaced by a new structure.

"Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church began in 1866" Compiled by Mary Belle Ingram & Shiloh Church Historians Alex Sidney III, Willie Sidney, Dennis Griggs and Chester Kemp

   The year 1865 was very significant in the history of the early Black settlers of the present day Cedar Lane Community.     Their prayers had been answered, they now were free.     Overnight, they were transformed from slaves to free community members.

"Preston a trading center on Caney in years of Republic" By Mary Belle Ingram

   Preston was established in 1838 in the northeastern part of Matagorda County at the head of Bay Prairie.     It was on the road from Matagorda to Columbus and San Felipe and was within four-and-a-half miles of the Colorado River and two-and-a-half miles of Caney Creek.

"Manhattan University proposed at mouth of Caney Creek in 1830s" By Mary Belle Ingram

   The town of Manhattan was situated at the mouth of Caney Creek on the Benjamin Wightman and Margaret Wightman Leagues.      The town was in existence before 1838 as in that year several of the settlers along Caney Creek met to formulate plans to deepen the channel at the mouth of Caney.

Matagorda doctor served in both Texas army, navy

   Albert Moses (Moses A.) Levy, physician, was born to Abraham and Rachel Cornelia (Bernard) Levy in 1800, probably in Amsterdam, Netherlands.     The Levy family moved to Richmond, Virginia, in 1818.     His brothers and sisters were: Isaac, Jacob, Lewis, Esther, Mary, Julia and Rebecca.