"Getting Matagorda County out of mud" Compiled By Marin Brown McAllister Junior Historian 1973-74

   “Get a Horse!” was the half-serious jest for residents of Matagorda County in the early 1920s, when the motor car was fast becoming the most sought-after means of transportation.

1939: Coca Cola high in pure value contents

   Palacios Beacon, Oct. 19, 1939    The Coca Cola Bottling Company in Bay City on Highway No. 35 was built in 1934 and serves the entire coast line area from Freeport through Palacios reaching inland from 30 to 50 miles.

Bay City’s Coca Cola plant grand addition in 1934

   EDITOR’S NOTE: The following story on the former Coca-Cola bottling plant was taken from the Matagorda County History and Genealogy Page.     At the corner of Avenue A and Texas 35, the building now is mostly shrouded by overgrown trees and plants.

Coulterville on prairie in late 1800s

   Coulterville, also known as Culver, was in Buckner’s Prairie, 15 miles east of Bay City in eastern Matagorda County.         In 1888 William D. Culver became the first postmaster, and by 1891 a community with two general stores, one owned by Culver, had developed.

Buckner Prairie namesake man of legend, fact

BUCKNER, AYLETT C. (1794?–1832).     Aylett(e) C. (Strap) Buckner, filibuster, Indian fighter, Old Three Hundred colonist, and folklore hero of colonial Texas, was the son of Aylett and Elizabeth (Lewis) Buckner of Louisa County, Virginia.

Local Santa letters from 1929-31 show different time

1929 Dear Santa Claus:    I am a little girl, eight years old. I am very glad to see dear old Santa come but so sorry to see him forget some poor little girl or boy who hasen’t got any money to buy them something nice for Christmas.

Lukefahr school also was the community

   EDITOR’S NOTE: A state historical marker for the Lukefahr School Community was dedicated March 19, 2009, at the intersection of FM 2540 and Bucks Bayou Road.     Lukefahr School Community, a rural agricultural community settlement is located on Bucks Bayou Road 10 miles southeast of Bay City.

"Bay City caught in fury of 1909 ‘Velasco’ hurricane

   Headlines from Houston Post over its news articles tied to 1909 hurricane impact in Matagorda County.  Fifty Per Cent of Business and Residence Section Damaged and Loss Will Total $250,000  Under Martial Law  Army of Constables Sworn In to Protect Property  But One Loss of Life Infant of Mr.

Kuykendall began ranching career at age 10

   Wylie Martin Kuykendall was born in Fort Bend County, Texas on Oct. 22, 1839, to Robert H., Jr. and Electra Shannon Kuykendall.     He was named for the family friend and prominent colonist, Wiley Martin.     Robert H., Jr.