History

Kate Ward river’s first steamboat

   The Kate Ward was the first steamboat to operate on the Colorado River.      In June 1844 the La Grange Intelligencer announced that a local merchant, Samuel Ward, was to build a steamboat for use on the Colorado.

"Sweet water spring on bay a big plus" By Margaret Johnson

   Well Point, situated in southwest Matagorda County on Turtle Bay, received its name from the fresh water spring situated in this area.       Due to the erosion of the coastline, the spring is now in the bay.        This area was a favorite camping ground of the Karankawa (Carancahua) Indians.
Contributed Photo

Contributed Photo

Naval shelling of Lavaca

   While the Bay City Sentinel history page normally concerns itself with Matagorda County history, a recent trip to Port Lavaca turned up something interesting.

Mistaken orders led to 1916 train wreck

   Several hundred narrowly escaped death early Sunday morning when a St. L. B. & M. special carrying the Minnesota 1st Artillery Batteries, D, E. and F., collided with the D.L. Perry Land Co. homeseeker’s special at Bay City.