History

Bailey Hardeman served Texas, Matagorda County

News Staff
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Bailey Hardeman, War of 1812 soldier, Santa Fe trader, mountain man, a founder and officer of the Republic of Texas, thirteenth or fourteenth child of Thomas and Mary (Perkins) Hardeman, was born at the Thomas Hardeman station or stockade, near Nashville, on February 26, 1795.
Sentinel Photo Commissioners Court accepted Texas Historical Commission’s Distinguished Service Award for Matagorda County Historical Commission at the court’s meeting Monday. MCHC member Edith Crower (center) shows off the state’s recognition. MCHC members Mike Reddell, second from left, and Kristi Lee also took part, with court members Commissioner Bubba Cook, Commissioner Bubba Frick, County Judge Bobby Seiferman, Commissioner Troy Shemek, and Commissioner Mike Estlinbaum.

Sentinel Photo Commissioners Court accepted Texas Historical Commission’s Distinguished Service Award for Matagorda County Historical Commission at the court’s meeting Monday. MCHC member Edith Crower (center) shows off the state’s recognition. MCHC members Mike Reddell, second from left, and Kristi Lee also took part, with court members Commissioner Bubba Cook, Commissioner Bubba Frick, County Judge Bobby Seiferman, Commissioner Troy Shemek, and Commissioner Mike Estlinbaum.

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"Commissioners Court accepts MCHC award " by: Mike Reddell

News Staff
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
The Matagorda County Commissioners Court accepted the 2025 Distinguished Service Award for the Matagorda County Historical Commission (MCHC) at the court’s regular meeting July 27.

Leffland left important historical mark on county

News Staff
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Jules Carl Leffland (1854-1924) was a Danish immigrant who was trained in architecture at the University of Copenhagen and immigrated to Texas in 1886.  His first work involved moving homes from Indianola inland to Cuero after the devastating hurricane of 1886.

Bouldin made his mark as physician, drug store owner

News Staff
Thursday, July 23, 2026
William Walter Bouldin, M. D., of Bay City was not only one of the highly skilled physicians and surgeons of Matagorda County, but he also owned and operated a drug store, and owned considerable farm land which he inherited and which he developed after taking charge of the land.

W.W. Bouldin of Bay City shot in head by his tenant

News Staff
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Condition Critical at Houston Hospital, While Tenant is Held in Jail   Dr. W. W. Bouldin, 60, physician and drug store owner at Bay City, was in a critical condition in St. Joseph’s infirmary Tuesday night, his face shattered by a charge of buckshot which ripped out both eyes.

Mortuary Report

News Staff
Thursday, July 23, 2026
BOULDIN—Brenham, Tex., March 16.—(Spl.)—The body of Dr. W. W. Bouldin of Bay City, who died at a hospital in Houston Thursday, was taken to his old home in Chappell Hill and funeral services were held there Friday, with Rev. George N. Cook, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Brenham, officiating.

Early newspaper headlines, articles about Bay City

News Staff
Thursday, July 16, 2026
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second installment of our occasional review of newspaper articles about Bay City and Matagorda Count .  We pick up from The Bay City Breeze - the city’s first newspaper - in 1895 and continue through 1896.  REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS.

CJ Wildman worked to develop early Palacios

News Staff
Thursday, July 9, 2026
EDITOR’S NOTE: C.J. Wildman arrived in Palacios in 1904 as the then-townsite’s resident manager. He was revered in his time and in his passing at the age of 38.   The following is the obituary that ran in the Palacios Beacon in 1917. The obituary tells much about Wildman’s contributions.
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