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.

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.

Lonesome Dove exhibition will feature visual imagery

   Beginning Sept. 2, City by the Sea Museum will present will present Lonesome Dove.

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.

Wreck gives soldiers first day off; Minnesota troops make best of it

   Although the wreck on the Brownsville yesterday was an unfortunate affair it served a good purpose in that it gave the 600 Minnesota troops en route Brownsville their first day off since they left home five days ago.

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.