Bay City Plant - Matagorda County

Transcription

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Andrew, Bay City High School
Class of 2006:
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Matagorda County Visitors Guide - 2012
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Table of Contents
About Matagorda County, The Secrets Out--------- 4
History------------------------------------------------ 7
Matagorda Section----------------------------------- 9
Outdoors---------------------------------------------- 14
Palacios Section-------------------------------------- 16
Fishing & Hunting- ---------------------------------- 20
Bay City Section-------------------------------------- 24
Blessing----------------------------------------------- 27
Map- -------------------------------------------------- 28
Birding------------------------------------------------ 30
Sargent Section--------------------------------------- 33
Calendar of Events----------------------------------- 36
Shopping---------------------------------------------- 38
Accommodations------------------------------------- 41
Places to Eat------------------------------------------ 48
Attractions-------------------------------------------- 50
Culture and Entertainment-------------------------- 54
Tourism Services------------------------------------- 55
List of Advertisers------------------------------------ 56
Chamber
Information
Matagorda County
Convention & Visitors Bureau
P.O. Box 768 | Bay City, TX 77404-0768
(877) TRVL-FUN
www.visitmatagordacounty.com
heidisimmons@visitmatagordacounty.com
Matagorda Area
Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 103 | Matagorda, TX 77457
(979) 557-6526
www.matagordachamber.com
Palacios Chamber of Commerce
420 Main Street | Palacios, TX 77465
(361) 972-2615 | (800) 611-4567
www.palacioschamber.com
palcoc@tisd.net
Bay City Chamber of Commerce
201 7th Street | Bay City, TX 77414
(979) 245-8333 | (800) 806-8333
www.baycitychamber.org
heidisimmons@visitmatagordacounty.com
Sargent Area Chamber
of Commerce
P.O. Box 4052 | Sargent, TX 77404-4052
(979) 244-5018
www.sargent-tx.com
Information in this publication is as correct as possible at the time of
publishing, but is subject to omissions and errors. The Tourism Coalition
of Matagorda County assumes no responsibility for any and all errors of
this publication. Editorial, photos, advertisements and free listings that
appear in the Matagorda Visitor Guide is for the sole purpose to provide
useful information for tourists and travelers to Matagorda County.
Any reproduction of this publication without prior written notice from
the Tourism Coalition of Matagorda County and BayStar Printing is
prohibited under the copywright holder and infringement laws of the
great state of Texas.
Published By:
1802-C North Velasco
Angleton, TX 77515
Photo Credits:
Heidi Simmons, Kevin Jordon, John Dettling, Virgil Fox
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start an adventure
Midway between Galveston and Corpus Christi, right where
the Colorado River meets the sea, Matagorda County lies at a
curious confluence of nature and history that goes back nearly
500 years, and it just seems to get better with time.
Matagorda Bay was a stopover for the Spanish explorer Cabeza
de Vaca in the 1500s. A century later, the French explorer La Salle
lost his ship in Matagorda Bay just off Palacios, and the dramatic
excavation of the ship drew international attention. Stephen
Austin led a group of settlers here before the Texas Revolution.
And for a touch of modern drama, Brad Pitt and Sean Penn spent
time here filming the 2009 movie. “Tree of Life.”
But none of that is evident when you explore its solitary
beaches or its bird-filled wetlands, or drive through the lush green
rice fields or the golden cane fields rippling in the wind.
A perfect weekend getaway for Houston, San Antonio and Austin,
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it’s surprising how many have never made the drive. Which is
too bad, because they’re missing out on its spectacular beaches,
abundant wildlife, great food, fascinating museums, fishing to die
for and down-home folks who are ready to make them feel right
at home.
But if solitude is what you crave, you’d better come soon.
Matagorda County is working hard to get the word out about all
that it has to offer, and things are changing quickly.
Indeed, nature and education are what Matagorda County
does best. But it’s also a great place for indulgence, with fine dining
and finger-licking barbecue, fresh-caught seafood overlooking the
harbor and home cooking that will make you think of grandma’s
kitchen. It’s also a great place to take your cooler and your lawn
chair and kick back to watch the waves roll in.
Bay City is a good place to start your adventure, as it’s the
county seat and it’s right on the way to the beach. But unless
you’re in a hurry to hit the surf, take a little time to enjoy what this
colorful town has to offer.
You’re still a half-hour from the coast – the town’s founders
named it for nearby Bay Prairie,
not Matagorda Bay. Nowadays
there’s not much prairie to
see here either, but there’s a
charming downtown with a
historic courthouse, a lively
renovated town square and
creative boutiques and cafes.
The Matagorda County
Museum will fill you in on
the history of the place, with
a fascinating display on the
region’s original inhabitants
– the fierce Karankawa tribe –
and a stunning bronze cannon,
the centerpiece of an exhibit
detailing the excavation of
LaSalle’s ship, La Belle. Just
down the road, the lovingly
tended Matagorda County
Birding Nature Center on the
Colorado River combines the
best of a botanical garden with a
wild nature preserve to produce
some of the best birding around.
Head on down Highway 60 to Matagorda, one of Stephen F.
Austin’s original three colonies. But be sure and stop at Karankawa
Village to have a gourmet coffee drink and browse the collections
at Cattails, an upscale mercantile store, and ask for a taste from
proprietor Sue Milberger’s designer wine label, Chateau Bubba.
You can even choose to rent a finely appointed, themed room here
at The Lodge, with its outdoor living rooms and fireplaces.
Head on down into Matagorda, where you can stock up
on beach and fishing supplies at Stanley’s or head into the tiny
downtown for a sumptuous meal at Spoonbill’s, the destination
restaurant that everyone’s talking about. Alternatively, set
your sights on Matagorda Harbor for seaside dining and live
entertainment at The Waterfront.
You can also opt to spend the night at the Stanley-Fisher
House, a beautifully restored historic mansion that is now a bed
and breakfast, or you may choose a modest motel like Fisherman’s
Motel; Matagorda’s oldest motel that has been providing
exceptional service to its customers for over forty years. Or if it’s
the great outdoors you prefer, you can park your RV overlooking
the sea or set up your tent right on the beach at the Matagorda Bay
Nature Park.
Now it’s time for a tough decision, because beautiful seaside
villages await your discovery to the east and to the west. On the
eastern edge of the county and at the gateway to the San Bernard
National Wildlife Refuge, there’s charming Sargent, nestled along
Caney Creek and just minutes from the Intracoastal Waterway
and one of three public beaches in Matagorda County. Anglers,
take note: you’ll want to prepare yourself for some record-breaking
fish over here.
On the west side of the county there’s Palacios, once a
sought-after beach resort with a grand seaside pavilion
where big names performed for the 15,000 soldiers
training for World War II at Camp Hulen. The Army base
and the pavilion are long gone, but there is still much to
recommend this charming historic town, not the least of
which is the City by the Sea Museum and the rambling old
Luther House hotel.
Head inland from Palacios to Blessing to sample the
country buffet at the historic Blessing Hotel. If you’re a
golfer, you may want to make time to play a few rounds
at the Rio Colorado golf course before heading back into
town to complete your tour with some hearty Texas fare at
A&A Barbecue or K-2 Steakhouse.
One thing’s for certain, you won’t have time to get bored
– because whichever direction you head in Matagorda
County, you’re bound to run into an adventure.
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interesting facts
The engines of progress have altered the face of Matagorda
County time and time again over the past couple of centuries.
But there are places and times when the past bubbles to the
surface as fresh as the new morning.
The great Texas naturalist Roy Bedichek must have felt that
when he described a mighty Karankawa warrior mesmerized
by a sunset over the sea – the same phosphorescent sunset
that spreads over the sparkling waters on a typical evening at
the dawn of the 21st century.
“He became still as a statue, oblivious to his surroundings,
gazing spellbound at the point on the horizon where the
waters had closed over and quenched this great ball of fire,”
Bedicheck wrote in “Karankaway Country,” an account taken
from his readings of early explorers.
The giant savages that inhabited these lands when the
first Europeans arrived in the 1500s must have seemed
fearsome indeed. The men were up to seven feet tall, adorned
themselves with lip and nipple piercings and dramatic tattoos.
They smeared themselves with alligator or shark grease to
repel insects, and were believed to practice ritual cannibalism
against their enemies – a belief that recent research has
challenged.
The Karankawas were powerful swimmers and runners,
excellent marksmen and formidable fighters. Yet they were
known to exhibit deep tenderness as well, as the first Spanish
explorer in the region, Antonio Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca
reported.
Described by one historian as “the only good guy among
the Spanish conquistadors,” Cabeza de Vaca befriended
the native tribes in his long journey through the American
wilderness, and the Karankawas were no exception. He
described a scene when, shipwrecked and bereft at the loss
of many of his companions who had perished at sea, the
tribesmen sat on the shore with him and wept.
But well they might have wept for themselves. For all his
benign intentions, Cabeza de Vaca’s landing presaged the
decline and eventual obliteration of the Karankawas. The
tribe resisted assimilation and, by the 1850s, the last ragged
band of them was spotted in Tamaulipas, Mexico, driven far
from the Texas shores they’d called home. They were never
seen again.
Matagorda takes its name from the thick canebrakes that
once grew along the shores, perhaps inspiring the name of
Caney Creek (mata is Spanish for shrub, and gorda means
thick). The Spaniards who explored these lands throughout the
16th and 17th centuries left their linguistic mark everywhere,
from Tres Palacios Bay in the west to the San Bernard National
Wildlife Refuge in the east.
The area remained under Spanish and then Mexican
control, along with the rest of Texas, until the fledgling republic
gained its independence in 1836 after the Texas Revolution.
But France, too, had a brief and shining moment in the
historical spotlight of Matagorda with the La Salle expedition.
René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, the flamboyant
French explorer who had led a previous expedition down the
Mississippi River, actually landed in Matagorda Bay in 1685
by mistake. This expedition was met by a series of misfortunes
including mutinous crew members, raiding Karankawas and
the wreck of La Salle’s beautiful La Belle off the shore of the
Matagorda Peninsula. La Salle himself was murdered by an
angry member of his crew. A few survivors of his band were
reported to be living among the Karankawas as late as 1717.
LaSalle’s brief foray into the region was all but forgotten
until the dramatic excavation of La Belle put Matagorda
County back into the national spotlight. Considered by some
to be the most important shipwreck discovery in North
America, the excavation took nearly a year and produced a
million artifacts, items intended to establish a new colony.
The amazing array of items frozen in time by the salty waters
of the Gulf included three bronze cannons, beads and bells
for trade with the Indians, and the skeleton of a solitary
crewmember.
The whole story comes to life each year, when the city of
Palacios stages a reenactment featuring “Dead Bob,” that illfated sailor who went down with the ship.
A LaSalle Trail of seven museums containing parts of
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the LaSalle story has been established;
two of those museums, the Matagorda
County Museum in Bay City and the
City by the Sea Museum in Palacios, are
in Matagorda County.
LaSalle’s bad fortune helped
ensure that the Spanish would prevail
in Texas until the Mexican War for
Independence transferred control of the
territory to Mexico City in 1821. That
control was turbulent and short-lived,
however, as the Texians who settled the
area with Mexican permission chafed
under their rule.
Stephen F. Austin began the AngloAmerican settlement of the area with
a colony at the mouth of the Colorado,
established in 1822. By 1829, he had
convinced the Mexican government that
a military post was needed to protect
the settlers from invading Karankawas, and the port town
of Matagorda was founded. Matagordians were among those
who met at the councils leading up to the war, and they were
also among those who fought. Matagorda County became one
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of the original 23 counties of the new Republic of Texas.
The county became a major agricultural producer in the
subsequent years, and black slaves outnumbered whites more
than two to one in the mid 1800s. Matagorians fought for the
Confederacy, of course, and when they lost and the slaves were
freed, the county’s economy was devastated. Taxable wealth
in the county declined from $2,727,256 (of which $1,095,400
represented the value of slaves) in 1860, to only $1,028,815 by
1866, according to the Handbook of Texas Online.
The county’s fortunes began to turn around with the
coming of the railroads, and development began to spread
out to other towns besides Matagorda. Bay City was founded
in 1894 and became the new county seat because of its central
location. The discovery of oil and sulfur also gave the economy
a big boost, and between 1900 and 1920, the population
doubled.
This growth laid the groundwork for Camp Hulen in
Palacios to become a major training ground for soldiers
during World War II. Palacios was also a major beach resort,
with big-name acts performing at the elegant Palacios Pavilion
and people coming for miles around to take the waters, which
were believed to have healing properties.
The camp closed in 1946, and the grand pavilion was
destroyed by Hurricane Carla in 1961. Palacios took a lower
profile as a charming, slow-paced seaside village. But hints
of its former grandeur can still be seen at The Luther Hotel,
which was the elegant grande dame of its day, and at the
excellent little City by the Sea Museum.
Matagorda
Welcome to Matagorda! You’re our guest and we’re
excited that you found us! Matagorda holds many wonders
for anyone with a love for nature and the great outdoors. If
you like to fish, swim, surf, crab, boat, bird, kayak, or beach
comb, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll take you back to
nature or give you the thrill of a lifetime fighting a big redfish
or trophy trout.
Matagorda Harbor is one of the finest mooring facilities
on the Gulf Coast and anglers can launch their boat free of
charge at one of the four boat ramps. From the Harbor there
is easy access to East and West Matagorda Bays, the Colorado
River and the Gulf of Mexico. There are over forty fishing
guides working out of the Harbor so chartering a good
captain for a fantastic fishing adventure is easy.
We boast of our historic but quaint culture, our good
food, clean and comfortable motel rooms and our helpful
merchants. Visit any of our quaint shops in town for a wide
variety of merchandise to fit any ones pocketbook; antiques,
one-of-a-kind painted driftwood, beach items, boutique
clothing, souvenirs, novelty gifts and even hand-dipped ice
cream cones for those hot summer days. Alternatively, set your
sites on one of our many restaurants where you can eat, meet
friends, enjoy a game of pool and listen to live entertainment.
Come and stay with us a while. Shop with us, play with us
or join us for Sunday worship in one of our historic churches.
Just kick back and enjoy yourself. Our businesses can help
guide you or supply you with anything you need. Just ask we’re here to serve you.
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“for the good life on the gulf ”
The Lodge
The ambience is casual at The Lodge but the amenities are luxurious. Each of the eight rooms is uniquely
styled, featuring the finest organic bedding, large bathrooms and original artworks. Gourmet coffees and
flat screen televisions are found in each room and two outdoor living rooms with fireplaces are yours
during your visit. Our popular mercantile shop, Cattails, is part of the Karankawa Village
just across the boardwalk. Here you will find more of the finest coffees, wines,
gourmet foods, artwork, clothing and homewares.
www.karankawavillage.com
Phone: (979) 863-7737
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Matagorda ISD
TEA RECOGNIZED DISTRICT
979.863.7693
PO Box 657 • Matagorda, TX 77457
www.matagordaisd.org
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A Program for Everyone
Core classes in English, Math, History, Science, Speech, Humanities,
Visual Performing Arts, Government, Kinesiology, and Social Services
Associate of Arts degree • Associate of Arts in Teaching degree
Associate of Applied Science degrees
Certificate/certification programs • Distance Learning courses
Financial Aid Counseling • Dual and concurrent enrollment
Associate of Arts Degree
with emphasis of study in :
Associate of Applied Science Degrees & Certificates
Automotive Technology*†
Computer Science:
•CISCORouterNetworking*
•ComputerProgramming†
•PCTechnicalSupport*
•NetworkAdministration†
Cosmetology*
Dental Hygiene†
Early Childhood*†
Electronics Engineering Technology†
Emergency Medical Technology*†
Engineering Design*†
•ArchitecturalDesign*
•ComputerAided
Drafting*
•ConstructionManagement†
Fire Academy*
HealthInformationTechnology†
Agriculture
Art
Behavioral Sciences
Biology
Business Administration
Chemistry
Computer Science
Criminal Justice
Drama
Engineering
English
General Studies
Kinesiology
Mathematics
Music
Nursing(Pre-Baccalaureate)
Physics
Social Sciences
Speech
Associate of Arts Degree in Teaching
•EC-6,Grades4-8,EC-12SpecialEducation-PlanB
•Grades8-12,OtherEC-12-PlanC
Heating,A/C,Refrigeration
& Electrical*
Human Services*†
Law Enforcement†
NuclearPowerTechnology*†‡
Nursing:
•AssociateDegree†
•LVN-ADNTransition†
•VocationalNursing*
OfficeAdministration*†
ParalegalStudies†
PhysicalTherapistAssistant†
PoliceAcademy*
ProcessTechnology†‡
RadiologicTechnology†
Surgical Technology*
Welding Technology*
* Certificate program
† Associate of Applied Science Degree
‡ These programs offered exclusively
at the Bay City campus
Visit our website or contact the Admissions and Registration Office for times, locations, and requirements.
Wharton • Sugar Land • Richmond • Bay City • El Campo • Palacios
1-800-561-WCJC
wcjc.edu
W Wharton County
CJC
Junior College
WCJC is an EOE Institution.
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Plenty of outdoor fun
It’s tough to stay indoors here in Matagorda County with
the call of the wild that blows in from the bay. Luckily for
most visitors, they don’t have to.
Golfing and surfing, hiking and biking, stargazing and
hunting, eating and shopping, even cooking and cleaning – all
of it can be done under the great Texas sky, and it often is. Once
you get a taste of it, you’ll wonder why you stayed inside so long.
With two rivers, five bays and a slew of sloughs and creeks
and bayous, water sports are plentiful, from fishing and kayaking
to surfing and scuba diving.
As one might expect, boats of all kinds are a popular mode
of transport here. You can meander down the Colorado or Tres
Palacios River or Caney Creek in a canoe or kayak, watching
for birds and wildlife as you go, or you can speed through the
Intracoastal Waterway on a motorboat. You can drift lazily on
the gentle waters of the bay in a sailboat or test your mettle on the
open waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
There are places where you can rent or buy your own, and
there are marinas where you can keep them.
There’s also an army of professionals to help you plan and
execute your adventure, from Sargent in the east to Palacios in
the west. Fishing and birding guides, captains with generations of
experience, can lead you right to the catch of a lifetime, and weave
a lively Matagorda yarn or two while they’re doing it.
You’ll want to bring a camera to document the catch, the
wildlife or the beautiful views. Bring binoculars, too, especially
if you’re headed to the Matagorda Birding Nature Center, the
Matagorda Bay Nature Park or Mad Island Marsh Preserve.
Matagorda Bay is known to birders worldwide as one of the
country’s leading stopovers for migratory birds, and while
migration season is especially exciting, its resident population is
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stunning year round.
But it’s not only the wildlife that captivates the crowds.
Matagordians of the human variety are an entertaining breed,
as well. Scarcely a week goes by without a Market Days, a fair or
a festival celebrating anything from rice and shrimp to art and
music. Time your visit for a festival for some of the best eating and
entertainment to be had, and fun for the whole family.
Matagorda County is a prime destination for nature-based
education, and is also an activity that’s fun for all ages. Matagorda
Bay Nature Park offers an array of imaginative interactive programs
led by scientists and nature educators – enticing programs like
“Nature Scavenger Hunt,” “Fins, Furs and Feathers,” “Wings
over the Wetlands,” “Day on the Bay Wetlands Kayak Trip” and
“Adventures in Beachcombing.” Sign up in advance to be sure of a
spot, or drop in and browse the engrossing exhibits on display at
the Natural Science Center.
You can camp out on miles of powdery sand – and
sometimes you may get lucky and have it all to yourself. Build
a seaside campfire and stay up late watching the clouds cross
the moon, or wake up early for a brilliant sunrise. If you prefer
a bit more comfort with your Great Outdoors, there are plenty
of RV campgrounds with a variety of accommodations, views
and prices.
Hunting is also an option, with outfitters and lodges targeting
hunters. Geese and ducks, dove and deer and even wild boars are
available in season.
Golfing is a popular activity as well, and two Matagorda
courses await your club. There’s the Rio Colorado Golf Course
near Bay City, on the banks of the Colorado as the name suggests.
This challenging 18-hole course features native coastal prairies
and signature golf holes situated high on the wooded bluffs of the
Colorado River.
There’s also the Palacios Golf Course, a 9-hole facility with a
course rating of 33.9 and a slope rating of 117.
Whatever your pleasure, you’re likely to find it under the sunny
skies of Matagorda County – but don’t forget your sunscreen!
Golf Courses
Bay City
Bay City Country Club
Hwy. 35 West
979-245-3990
Liberty Park
Location of the historic
Bay City
6th Street at Avenue I
Rio Colorado Golf Course 979-323-1660
FM 2668
parks-rec@cityofbaycity.org
979-244-2955
Matagorda County
Fairgrounds
Palacios
FM 2668
Palacios Golf Course
979-245-2454
35 N State HWY 35
979-245-1819
361-972-5947
www.matagordacountyfair.
com
Major Parks and
other Outdoor
Riverside Park
Venues
FM 2668
979-323-1660
Bay City
Matagorda County
Blessing
Birding Nature Center
1.7 miles west of Bay City
Heffelfinger
On Texas Highway 35 south Memorial Park
979-245-3336
361-588-7717
mcbnc@tisd.net
LeTulle Park
West Hwy 35
979-323-1660
Matagorda
Matagorda Bay
Nature Park
1,600 - acre park is a
top birding site and
offers recreational and
educational activities.
1-800-776-5272
www.lcra.org/matagorda
Jetty Park
Located at the mouth of
what was the Colorado
River; offers visitors their
first view of Matagorda
Beach and the Gulf of
Mexico.
Under the Bridge
Public Park
Shore Fishing
City Park
515 Main Street
Pavilion Pier
South Bay at Fourth Street
For more info call
361-972-3605
www.cityofpalacios.com
Carl Park
Tres Palacios River at
FM 521
361-972-2719
River Road Park
FM 521 on Colorado River
361-972-2719
Sargent
Palacios
City of Palacios
Public Parks:
South Bay “Pavilion” Park
Located on South Bay Blvd.
East Bay Park
Located on East Bay Blvd.
Railroad Park
Located on southern 9
blocks of 6th Street
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Chamber Park
979-429-3002
Palacios’ famous hospitality offers visitors a variety of
comfortable, affordable and charming lodging options.
Choices include five RV parks, three marinas, numerous
self-catering vacation homes, two bed and breakfasts,
a motel and a historical hotel. All accommodations are
conveniently located to enjoy local shopping opportunities,
great fishing, birding, a stroll along the seawall or a fresh
cup of coffee on Main Street. Many sites offer striking water
views, lovely sunsets, mystical moon reflections and fresh
coastal air anytime of the year. Several occupy fascinating
historic buildings which beckons one to a slower pace and
a simpler time. All offer friendly service by gracious hosts
all too happy to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Palacios Chamber of Commerce Centennial 1910-2010.
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pity
all)
Palacios, TX
On the
Central
Texas Coast,
Gateway to
Matagorda Bay,
on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail.
• 144 Full Hookup Sites
• 50 Amp Service Available
• Wide Street
• Spacious Sites
• Boat Slips
• Walking Distance to
Restaurants & Shopping
• Sparkling Bath House
• Commercial Laundromat
• Planned Seasonal Activities
• Swimming Pool
• Cable TV
• Free WIFI Throughout
the Park
• Fish Cleaning Station
• Waterfront Sites
1001 Main Street • Palacios, TX 77465
(800) 556-0534 • (361) 972-5454
Fax (361) 972-6053
www.serendipityresort.com
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PALACIOS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Home of the Fighting Sharks and Sharkettes
Palacios High School
East Side Intermediate
Palacios Junior High School
Texas State Marine Center
Central Elementary
Award Winning Staff and Students  Low Classroom Teacher-Student Ratios 
Free Tuition for Transfer Students  Highly Competitive Salaries  Great
Employee Benefits  Over 30 Student Clubs and Organizations  Advanced
Technology Throughout the District  Classroom Computer Labs and Mobile
Computer Labs on every campus to serve every student
TEA Recognized District
1209 12th St Palacios, TX 77465-3799
Phone: 361-972-5491 www.palaciosisd.org
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what-a-catch
Matagorda’s waters are legendary
for legions of fishermen
Whatever floats your boat, whether it’s wade fishing,
drift fishing, surf fishing or offshore fishing, Matagorda
County is the place to be.
From peaceful, tiny Sargent, where bait camps, guide
services and marinas dominate the local business profile, to
Matagorda, with its 200-slip harbor, to picturesque Palacios,
with its 1.5-mile lighted seawall, three piers and three boat
ramps, you can stick with an old favorite or strike out for
new territory on every trip.
With more than 50 miles of coastline and literally hundreds
of miles of rivers, creeks and bayous, you’ll find every type of
habitat for almost any type of fish. Stop in at any bait shop for
pictures of trophy fish; the next one could be yours.
A walk along the beach on a typical day will find them
among the shorebirds, setting up their poles for some surf
fishing. Others line
up along the piers,
like the Jetty Park
at Matagorda or the
brand-new Swing
Bridge
Fishing
Park where the old
swing bridge used
to be. Last year a
brand-new bridge
opened, connecting
Matagorda with the
barrier island and
giving ready access
to more space for
some fine fishing.
Fly-fishing for the trophy-sized speckled trout that like
to hang out in the grass flats and along the reefs can be an
adrenaline rush, as well; nine-pounders are not uncommon,
and they like to put up a good fight. Fly-fishing on the banks of
the Colorado is popular, as well as in the flats of East and West
Matagorda Bay.
Some thrill-seekers head out to the open sea for heartpounding adventures in search of the giant tuna, kingfish,
tarpon, sailfish or marlin that ply the waters of the deep.
Others stick closer to home, trolling the thriving waters of the
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Intracoastal Waterway, East or West Matagorda Bay or Tres
Palacios Bay in search of trophy redfish, black drum, flounder
or speckled sea trout.
Capt. Mark Talasek, one of the scores of fishing captains
plying their trade in Matagorda County, says there’s plenty
to find close to home. Talasek has been hooked on saltwater
fishing since he was a high schooler, when he reeled in a
500-pound hammerhead 18 miles off the Matagorda coast in
the Gulf of Mexico.
These days Captain Mark sticks closer to home, and he
says you don’t have to head for the high seas or be an expert
to have a good time, or to catch tomorrow’s lunch. For
beginning anglers, Talasek recommends flounder gigging
in Matagorda Bay. This is a nocturnal adventure; with lights
on the airboat, you can watch the marine life under the
water and the stars above.
If competition is your thing, look for a local tournament;
there’s one or two going on most weekends, and many are
open to the public. Check www.matagordabay.com to look for
a schedule. Here
you’ll find events
for the kids, like
the Jimmy Guest
Memorial
Kid
Fish, and others
for the ladies –
like Lingerie on
the Bay (“The men
are allowed to bait
hooks, net fish, get
out backlashes but
are NOT allowed
to cast or retrieve,”
according
to
the guidelines).
Matagorda also participates in the big statewide events, like
the Texas Anglers’ Rodeo and the Star Tournament. Talasek
is just one of thousands who’s out there looking for a special
tagged redfish; if you’re the one who pulls it in, you could end
up with a boat and a trailer.
Regardless whether you’re competing with other anglers,
with yourself or just with the waters of the deep; whether you’re
looking for the challenge of a lifetime, a fish story, your next
meal or just a peaceful day at the coast, pack up your gear, hit
the bait shops and toss out a line. You won’t be disappointed.
Fishing Tournaments
Blue Wave Trout Series Tournament
Matagorda | Mid April | 210-385-3333
Fort Bend CCA Kid-Fish
Matagorda | Late July
Boling Booster Club Tourney
Mid April
Tomball/Magnolia CCA Tournament
Matagorda | Late July
Gulf Coast Boats
Early May
Texas King Mackerel Association
Tournament
Matagorda | July
Lamar FFA Bay Tournament
Matagorda | Early May
Sam Hallmark Memorial
Mid August
CCA KidFish
Mid May
Easy Money Offshore Tournament
Matagorda | Mid August
Frydek Knights of Columbus
Saltwater Tournament
Matagorda | Mid May | 281-533-0941
Caney Creek Marina Memorial Day
Tournament
May 28th | 979-245-3691
Paul Meyer Memorial Tournament
Matagorda | Early June | Mark 713-864-3808
Rosenberg “Fire on the Bay” Tournament
Matagorda | Early June | Clint 979-758-4846
Texas Oilman’s Tournament
Matagorda | July | Tommy 979-863-7553
Lingerie on the Bay Tournament
(Women only)
Matagorda | Late June | Garund 832-473-3716
Sting Rae’s Sargent Off Shore Blast
July 8th & 9th | 979-323-0611
Russell’s July BASH
July – all month long | Russell 979.863.7620
Mermaid Offshore Tournament (Women only)
Matagorda | Early July | Erin 979-245-5121
IFA Redfish Tournament
Matagorda | Mid July | Scott 210-385-3333
Jimmy Guest Memorial Kids Fishing
Tourney
Matagorda | Late July | John 832-713-5620
Caney Creek Marina Labor Day
Tournament
September 3rd | 979-245-3691
Caney Creek Marina Family Thanksgiving
Tournament
November 25th & 26th | 979-245-3691
Palacios Chamber Family Fishfest
Tournament,
Palacios | 2nd Weekend in August | 361-972-2615
Babes on the Bay (Women only)
Matagorda | Mid September
Ft. Bend County Sheriff’s Assn.
Tournament
Mid September | Wayne 832-473-2674
Gulf Coast Boat Tournament
Matagorda | June
Skipper’s Bay Fishing Tournament
Matagorda | September
Fort Bend C. L. Cookers Tournament
Matagorda | Early October
Octoberfish Surf Fishing Contest
Sargent Beach | Early October
Sargent Chamber’s Fishing Tournament
October 4th
21
Fishing Guides
Bay City
Hondo’s Guide Service
Captain Johnnie Hahn
1909 Letulle| Bay City, TX 77414
979-245-7865
johnnie@hondosguide
service.com
www.Matagordatexas.com
Reel Life Adventures
Captain Jesse Arsola
Bay City, TX 77414
979-245-9914
reel-life-adventures@
orbitworld.net
www.matagordabay.com/reellife-adventures
Baylor Outdoor Adventures
Captain Rob Baylor
281-733-4750
www.bayloroutdooradventures.
com
Kingfisher Guide Service
Captain Walt Schelle
979-863-7666 or 979-240-5187
walt@matagorda-bay.com
www.matagorda-bay.com
Captain Don Wood’s
Guide Service
Captain Don Wood
979-240-4137
www.matagordabay.com/
captwood
Knee Deep Fishing
Guide Service
Captain Coach Floyd Ciruti
979-533-0893
www.gofishmatagorda.com
Captain Ken’s Guide Service
Captain Ken Marshall
P.O. Box 371
Wadsworth, TX 77483
713-560-6000
captken@fishmatagorda.com
www.fishmatagorda.com
Krejci Guide Service
Captain Emil Krejci
713-408-1047
Riddle’s Guide Service
Captain Jimmy Riddle
936-329-4176
www.riddesguideservice.com
Run-N-Gun Adventures
Captain Daniel Kubeka
979-240-5312
www.run-n-gunadventures.com
Sliva Charters
Captain Florian (Junior) Sliva
Captain James Sliva
979-478-6136
www.slivacharters.com
Tommy’s Guide Service
Captain Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
www.matagordafishing.com
Matagorda Bay Fishing
Charters
Captain Charlie Paradoski
Palacios
713-725-2401
www.captcharlieparadoski.com Big Papa’s Bay Fishing
Saltgrass Charters
Captain Charlie Metcalf
Double Down Charters
Captain Kenneth Hauff, Jr.
112 Sanders Circle
Captain Brandon Tumis
Matagorda Charter Boats
2828 Del Monte Ave.
Palacios, TX 77465
713-598-0879
Captain “Redfish”
Bay City, TX 77414
361-655-6701
www.doubledowncharters.com Raymond Cox
979-244-9117 | 979-240-3614
979-863-7434 or 979-240-8285 captainc6672@gmail.com
Doublesteal Fishing
www.matagordacharter
Specks and Spots
Captain Thiggy’s
Guide Service
boats.com
Guide Services
Guide Service
Captain Walt Wendland
Captain Mike Allison
Captain David Thigpen
979-282-2830
Matagorda Sportsfishing
Bay City, TX 77414
126 Trout Street
www.gofishmatagorda.com
Offshore Charters
979-245-0570
Palacios, TX 77465
Captain Mark Holland
361-781-2478
Fin Tastic Coastal Charters
979-637-0962
fishpro126@hotmail.com
Captain Stan Sloan
www.matagordasports
Matagorda
www.thiggy.com
832-693-4292
fishing.com
Adell’s Guide Service
www.fintasticcoastal
Lost Anchor
Captain Darrell Adell
charters.com
Michael’s Guide Service
Rick Calhoun
979-299-9996
Captain Michael Rolf
361-972-6325
www.adellsguideservice.com
Gold Tip Guide Service
979-533-3208
Captain Bill Pustejovsky
www.matagordabay.com/rolf
Palacios Guide Service
Alexander Guide Service
979-863-7353
Pesek Charters - Captains
Captain Hank Huitt
Captain Tommy Alexander
captbill@goldtipguideservice.
Doug
and
Dwayne
Pesek
Captain Aaron Wollam
979-709-8242
com
979-793-4818
or
281-992-1585
Palacios, TX 77465
www.alexanderguideservice.com www.goldtipguideservice.com
www.pesekcharters.com
979-241-8443 or 979-240-8204
www.palaciosguideservice.com
Assault The Salt Guide Service Half Breed Guide Service
Red Fish Matagorda Charters
Captain Scott Reeh
Captain Lee Warmke
Captain Keith Phillips
832-595-5619
281-924-3941
281-744-3594
www.assaultthesaltfishing.com www.fishingwithlee.com
www.redfishmatagorda.com
22
Texas Saltwater Fishing
Captain Cody Adams
Palacios, TX 77465
361-872-2255
cody@texassaltwaterfishing.
com
www.texassaltwaterfishing.
com/codyadams
Sargent
Caney Y Guide Service
Captain Gene
979-244-4910
www.fishmatbay.com
captaingene@fishmatbay.com
Captain D’s Guide Service
Captain Dave Harrison
29 CR 204
832-875-4294
www.captaindsguideservice.
com
Captain Hank Sandefer
979-429-1674
Talasek’s Guide Service
Captain Mark Talasek
979-479-1397
www.talasekguideservice.com
www.matagordasunrise
lodge.com
Marinas/Slip
Rentals
Bayfront Marina
902 1st Street | Palacios, TX
361-218-8688
Caney Creek Marina
7905 Carancahua
Sargent, TX 77414
979-245-2051
Matagorda Harbor
Port of Bay City Authority
P.O. Box 1426
Bay City, TX 77404
Location: Highway 60 South &
CR 255 Matagorda, TX 77457
Harbormaster 979-863-2103
Assistant 979-863-7442
Harbor fax 979-863-2167
www.matagordaharbor.com
Fin & Feathers Guide Service
Captain Gary Luetge
979-244-2155
www.sargent-eastbay-guide.com South Bay Marina
Port of Palacios
601 South Bay Blvd.
Living Waters Guide Service
Palacios, TX 77465
Captain Gene Allen
361-972-5556
979-429-7150
361-972-3584 (fax)
www.fishmatbay.com
www.portofpalacios.com
Info@portofpalacios.com
Wadsworth
Al’s Guide Service
Captain Al Garrison
14 Prairie Ln.
Wadsworth, TX 77483
979-245-9207; 979-240-3822
Matagorda Fishing Buddies
Captain Ron Frasier
979-557-9444
www.matagordafishing
buddies.com
Ozzie’s Guide Service
Captain Arthur “Ozzie” Arnold
979-241-1946
www.ozziesguideservice.com
Serendipity Resort and Marina
1001 Main Street
Palacios, TX 77465
1-800-556-0534
361-972-5454
361-972-6053 (fax)
serendipityresort@yahoo.com
Bait Camps
Matagorda
Buddy’s Seafood and Bait
1400 Fisher Street
979-863-7500
buddysseafood
Rawlings Bait Camp
205 Beach RD
979-863-7669
rawlings
1 Harbor Drive
979-863-7620
russelsbait
Palacios
Grassy Point Bait Camp
1400 Bayshore Drive
361-972-5053
Shrimp Shack Bait Camp
1211 Main Street
361-972-1466
West End Bait Camp
Turning Basin #3
Margerum Road
Sargent
Caney Creek Marina
1052 CR 201 | 979-245-2051
Tipp’s Bait Camp
979-244-1275
Charlie’s Bait Camp
979-245-1853
G & L Seafood Bait
979-244-3323
K ayak/Canoe/
Boat Rentals
Don’s Diving Service
Captain Donald G. Hyett
1111 4th St. Palacios, TX 77465
361-972-2177 or 361-920-2178
www.palacioschamber.com/
donsdiving
LCRA Nature Park
South FM 2031 | 800-776-5272
www.lcra.org/parks
23
Hunting Outfitters
Bay City
Coastal Wings
Mike Hutto/ Larry Robinson
713-899-6578 or 281-785-2429
www.coastalwings.com
JB Hunting Ranch
James Cohenour
979-240-5569 | 361-588-6845
www.jbhuntingranch.com
Third Coast Outfitters
of Texas
Randy Triplett
P.O. Box 1672 | Bay City, TX
979-245-3071
judy@thirdcoastoutfitters.com
www.thirdcoastoutfitters.com
Blessing
Coastal Wild Wings
Cinco Davant
361-588-2013
www.coastalwildwings.com
Midfield
Bay Prairie Outfitters & Lodge
Hwy. 111 &71 | Midfield, TX
Mike Ladnier
361-588-6565 | 1-800-242-1374
www.bayprairie.com
Palacios
Big PaPa’s Migratory
Bird Hunts
Charlie Metcalf
112 Sanders Circle
Palacios, TX 77465
361-655-6701
captainc6672@gmail.com
Bay City
With it’s early Texas historic facades, Bay City is
perfect for a relaxing day strolling the brick sidewalks of
downtown. This charming historic town square offers
plenty of distractions. Boutiques with all the latest
accessories and apparel. Specialty gift shops for unique gift
giving ideas are abundant. Home décor with everything
from Waterford Crystal to Yankee Candles are there for
you to enjoy, not to mention jewelry stores, florists and
much more for your browsing enjoyment. There are also
shops for western wear, formal wear and urban wear. You
will find it all on the “square”.
If all that foraging has given you an appetite, you’ll
find plenty to refuel you as you cool your heels at one of
several local eateries. Settle in at the relaxing Main Street
Bistro for a great lunch and coffee, or you may want to
treat yourself to the new gourmet food restaurant and
bar, “The Fat Grass”. Don’t miss the reverse happy hour and
appetizer special s served daily at the restaurant.
To get quick and valuable information from community
24
businesses you will want to sign up on the website,
shopbaycitytx.com . Special offers, coupons, the latest deals,
as well as information for Bay City restaurants and retailers
are just a click away.
25
South Texas Inn
Clean and Comfortable
Complimentary Coffee and Breakfast
Refrigerators and Microwaves in Rooms
Free High Speed Wireless Internet
Free Local Calls and Cable TV
AARP/Senior Discounts
Located on Hwy 60 North
979.244.1432 1121 Avenue F • Bay City • Texas
The Matagorda County
Museum and
Children’s Museum
Making memories for families since 1963.
2100 Avenue F • Bay City, TX 77414 • 979.245.7502
www.matagordamuseum.com
26
Blessing
TOUCH OF HISTORY Blessing is west of the junction
of State Highway 35 and Farm Road 616 and twenty miles
west of Bay City in northwestern Matagorda County.
The town was promoted by Jonathan Edwards Pierce, on
whose land it was established. In 1903, when Pierce gave
the right-of-way to the Galveston, Harrisburg and San
Antonio Railway, the future of the unnamed settlement
seemed assured. Pierce hoped to designate the place “Thank
God,” but the United States Postal Department rejected
his proposal so he settled for Blessing, and a post office
opened in 1903, with James H. Logan as first postmaster.
Between 1903 and 1905 a library building was attached
to the train station. Soon after the St. Louis, Brownsville
and Mexico Railway was also built through the town.
Blessing has grown since then with over 30 businesses
and 800+ residents. Blessing also is known for its
historical marker Hotel Blessing. An architect from
Victoria built the hotel in 1906 and in 1977 it was given
to the Blessing Historical Foundation. Soon after it
was restored and entered into the National Register of
Historical places, the first official listing in Matagorda
County with this particular distinction. The hotel is open
for business and it serves food and also has a coffee shop.
Other areas of interest in this small quaint town are
the local restaurants, the friendliest bank around, small
businesses, and even a unique shop called Quilts Fabric
and More
“Hometown Nurses Helping Hometown People”
Home Healthcare Services
281-208-4344 or
979-323-7099
“Bringing Healthcare Back Home……Where It Belongs!”
Home Health Services
• Skilled Nursing • Home Health Aide • Physical • Occupational • Speech Therapies
• Medical Social Workers • Provider Services • Diabetic Management • Injections
• IV Therapy • PT/INR Monitoring • Lab Services • Catheter Care
& SPECIALIZING IN WOUND CARE
See our video “What Is Home Health Service?” on our website at www.txstatehealthcare.com
Non-Discrimination Policy: This Agency does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, or age in admission,
treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment.
27
PALACIOS MARINE
EDUCATION CENTER
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
MARSH PRESERVE
28
29
So many to see
Matagorda County tops the charts for avian adventurers. A
diverse collection of rare breeds tends to gather in Matagorda
County, including the intrepid species known as the birder.
Ninety-seven of them showed up in a nasty winter storm last
year to conduct the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count,
once again making Matagorda County’s Mad Island Marsh
Preserve the champion of the event for North American species,
a title it’s proudly held since 1997.
Matagorda County in general, and Mad Island in particular,
is popular with birders for the same reason that it’s popular
with birds. As Clay Carrington of the Nature Conservancy puts
it, “Let’s just say it’s the last chance for a good meal.”
Positioned as it is on the coast midway between Louisiana
and Mexico, Mad Island provides the last lush bit of habitat that
migrating birds will see in their arduous fall migration until
they arrive in Mexico. Alternatively, it’s where they will break
their long fast in the spring.
Mad Island, with its crocodiles and rattlesnakes, is for the
hard-core birders. A little further inland but more popular with
birders – and nearly as popular with the birds – is the Matagorda
County Birding Nature Center. This carefully tended 35-acre
nature park condenses all the major habitats of the Texas coast
into one easy-to-traverse area. Birders can ride from forest to
marshland to river to lake in a golf cart, rent a boat to cruise
the Colorado River, or wander the labyrinthine paths to their
hearts’ content.
If gardening is your passion, you will love the seven different
types of gardens spread throughout the park, including a butterfly
garden, a cactus garden, a rose garden, a hummingbird garden and
an herb garden. Rustic footbridges and art set among the foliage
add to the charm, and the army of dedicated volunteers that keep
the park running smoothly will make you feel right at home.
But first-rate birding is available throughout the county, with
excellent opportunities in the seaside villages of Sargent and
Palacios as well as further inland in Blessing. And Matagorda Bay
Nature Park offers a wealth of opportunities to get out on the bay
and see the birds, even with trained interpretive guides.
The Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail lists three separate
loops with 17 sites in Matagorda County, including Big Boggy
National Wildlife Refuge, Sargent Beach, Cash’s Creek and Trull
Marsh. The Tres Palacios Loop alone contains 10 sites. Most of the
sites include boardwalks, viewing platforms, kiosks and parking
spots.Downloadable maps and more information are available at
www.tpwd.state.tx.us.
30
The Lower Colorado River Authority’s Matagorda Bay Nature
Park deserves special mention. Its state-of-the-art nature center
houses interpretive exhibits, an extraordinary staff and a whole
host of interactive activities for the whole family. Check out their
website at http://bit.ly/Matagorda to preregister for upcoming
activities ranging from A Day on the Bay Wetlands Kayaking
Trip to Wings Over the Wetlands.
Another way to experience the avian abundance of the
Matagorda coast is by boat. Rent your own from Freebird Kayak
and Canoe Rental and take a trip down the Colorado, or leave
the driving to a pro and hit the bay with one of the scores of
experienced boat captains and fishing guides. Some of them know
as much about birds as they do about fish; they knows where to
find them, and when.
Wherever you go, you’re apt to be blessed with the thrill of
your first sighting of some magnificent feathered thing, whether
it is a roseate spoonbill rising from the marshes or a snowy egret
decked out in mating plumage. With more than 300 species to
choose from, the only challenge will be finding your favorite.
Bird Species Found in Matagorda County
_Acadian Flycatcher
_American Avocet
_American Bittern
_American Coot
_American Crow
_American Golden Plover
_American Goldfinch
_American Kestrel
_American Oystercatcher
_American Pipit
_American Redstart
_American Robin
_American Swallow-tailed Kite
_American White Pelican _American Wigeon
_American Woodcock
_Anhinga
_Ash-throated Flycatcher
_Baird’s Sandpiper
_Bald Eagle
_Baltimore Oriole
_Bank Swallow
_Barn Owl
_Barn Swallow
_Barred Owl
_Bay-breasted Warbler
_Belted Kingfisher
_Bewick’s Wren
_Black Rail
_Black Scoter
_Black Skimmer
_Black Tern
_Black Vulture
_Black-and-white Warbler
_Black-bellied Plover
_Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
_Red-tailed Hawk
_Black-billed Cuckoo
_Blackburnian Warbler
_Black-chinned Hummingbird
_Black-crowned Night Heron
_Black-headed Grosbeak
_Black-necked Stilt
_Blackpoll Warbler
_Black-throated Green _Blue Grosbeak
_Blue Jay
_Blue-gray Gnatcatacher
_Blue-headed Vireo
_Blue-winged Teal
_Blue-winged Warbler
_Boat-tailed Grackle
_Bobolink
_Bonaparte’s Gull
_Brewer’s Blackbird
_Broad-winged Hawk
_Bronzed Cowbird
_Brown Creeper
_Brown Pelican
_Brown thrasher
_Brown-Crested Flycatcher
_Brown-headed Cowbird
_Buff-bellied Hummingbird
_Buff-breasted Sanpiper
_Bufflehead
_Bullock’s Oriole
_Burrowing Owl
_Canada Goose
_Canada Warbler
_Canvasback
_Cape May Warbler
_Carolina Wren
_Caroline Chickadee
_Caspian Tern Warbler
_Cattle Egret
_Cave Swallow
_Cedar Waxwing
_Cerulean Warbler
_Chestnut-sided Warbler
_Chimney Swift
_Chipping Sparrow
_Chuck-will’s widow
_Cinnamon Teal
_Clapper Rail
_Clay-colored Sparrow
_Cliff Swallow
_Common Goldeneye
_Common Grackle
_Common Ground-Dove
_Common Loon
_Common Moorhen
_Common Nighthawk
_Common Tern
_Common Yellowthroat
_Cooper’s Hawk
_Couch’s Kingbird
_Crested Caracara
_Curved-billed Thrasher
_Dark-eyed Junco
_Dickcissel
_Double-crested Cormorant _Dunlin
_Eared Grebe
_Eastern Bluebird
_Eastern Kingbird
_Eastern Meadowlark
_Eastern Phoebe
_Eastern Screech-Owl
_Eastern Wood Pewee
_European Starling
_Ferruginous Hawk
_Field Sparrow
_Forster’s Tern
_Fox Sparrow
_Franklin’s Gull
_Fulvous Whistling-Duck
_Gadwell
_Golden-crowned Kinglet
_Golden-Fronted Woodpecker
_Golden-winged Warbler
_Grasshopper Sparrow
_Gray Catbird
_Gray-cheeked Thrush
_Great Blue Heron
_Great Egret
_Great Horned Owl
_Great-Crested Flycatcher
_Greater Scaup
_Greater White-fronted Goose _Greater Yellowlegs
_Great-tailed Grackle
_Green Heron
_Green-tailed Towhee
_Green-winged Teal
_Groove-billed Ani
_Gull-billed Tern
_Hairy Woodpecker
_Harris Sparrow
_Henslow’s Sparrow
_Hermit Thrush
_Herring Gull
_Hooded Merganser
_Hooded Warbler
_Horned Grebe
_Horned Lark
_House Finch
_House Sparrow
_House Wren
_Hudsonian Godwit
_Inca Dove
_Indigo Bunting
_Kentucky Warbler
_Killdeer
_King Rail
_Ladder-backed Woodpecker
_Lark Bunting
_Lark Sparrow
_Laughing Gull
_Le Conte’s Sparrow
_Least Bittern
_Least Flycatcher
_Least Grebe
_Least Sandpiper
_Least Tern
_Lesser Nighthawk
_Lesser Scaup
_Lesser Yellowlegs
_Lincolon’s Sparrow
_Little Blue Heron
_Loggerhead Shrike
_Long-billed Curlew
31
_Long-billed Dowitcher
_Long-billed thrasher
_Long-tailed Duck
_Louisiana Waterthrush
_Magnificent Frigate-bird _Magnolia Warbler
_Mallard
_Marbled Godwit
_Marsh Wren
_Masked Booby
_Merlin
_Mississippi Kite
_Mottled Duck
_Mountain Plover
_Mourning Dove
_Nashville Warbler
_Neo-tropic Cormorant
_No. Rough-winged Swallow
_Northern Bobwhite
_Northern Cardinal
_Northern Flicker
_Northern Gannet
_Northern Harrier
_Northern Mockingbird
_Northern Parula
_Northern Pintail
_Northern Shoveler
_Northern Waterthrush
_Olive-sided Flycatcher
_Orange-crowned Warbler
_Orchard Oriole
_Osprey
_Ovenbird
_Painted Bunting
_Palm Warbler
_Pectoral Sandpiper
_Peregrine Falcon
_Philadelphia Vireo
_Pied-billed Grebe
_Pileated Woodpecker
_Pine Siskin
_Pine Warbler
_Piping Plover
_Prairie Warbler
_Prothonotary Warbler
_Purple Finch
_Purple Gallinule
_Purple Martin
_Pyrrhuloxia
_Red Knot
_Red-bellied Woodpecker
_Red-breasted Merganser
_Reddish Egret
_Red-eyed Vireo
_Redhead
_Red-headed Woodpecker
_Red-shouldered Hawk
_Red-tailed Hawk
_Red-winged Blackbird
_Ring-billed Gull
_Ring-necked Duck
_Rock Pigeon
_Roseate Spoonbill
_Rose-breasted Grosbeak
_Ross Goose
_Royal Tern
_Ruby-crowned Kinglet
_Ruby-throated Hummingbird
_Ruddy Duck
_Ruddy Turnstone
_Rufous Hummingbird
_Sanderling
_Sandhill Crane
_Sandwich Tern
_Savannah Sparrow
_Say’s Phoebe
_Scarlet Tanager
_Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
_Seaside Sparrow
_Sedge Wren
_Semipalmated Plover
_Semipalmated Sandpiper
_Sharp-shinned Hawk
_Sharp-tailed Sparrow
_Short-billed Dowitcher
_Short-eared Owl
_Snow Goose _Snowy Egret
_Snowy Plover
_Solitary Sandpiper
_Song Sparrow
_Sora
_Spotted Sandpiper
32
_Spotted Towhee
_Sprague’s Pipit
_Stilt Sandpiper
_Summer Tanager
_Surf Scoter
_Swainson’s Hawk
_Swainson’s Thrush
_Swainson’s Warbler
_Swamp Sparrow
_Tennessee Warbler
_Tree Swallow
_Tri-colored Hereon
_Tufted Titmouse
_Turkey Vulture
_Upland Sandpiper
_Veery
_Vermilion Flycatcher
_Vesper Sparrow
_Virginia Rail
_Warbling Vireo
_Western Kingbird
_Western Meadowlark
_Western Sandpiper
_Whimbrel
_Whip-poor-will
_White Ibis
_White-crowned Sparrow
_White-eyed Vireo
_White-faced Ibis
_White-rumped Sandpiper
_White-tailed Hawk
_White-tailed Kite
_White-throated Sparrow
_White-winged Dove
_White-winged Scoter
_Whooping Crane
_Wild Turkey
_Willet
_Willow Flycatcher
_Wilson’s Phalarope
_Wilson’s Plover
_Wilson’s Snipe
_Wilson’s Warbler
_Winter Wren
_Wood Duck
_Wood Stork
_Worm-eatting Warbler
_Yellow Rail
_Yellow Warbler
_Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
_Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
_Yellow-billed Cuckoo
_Yellow-breasted Chat
_Yellow-crowned Night Heron _Yellow-headed Blackbird
_Yellow-rumped Warbler
_Yellow-throated Vireo
_Yellow-throated Warbler
Sargent
SHHH…..
It’s a
Secret!!!!
Sargent is the BEST KEPT SECRET in Matagorda
County and possibly the Texas Gulf Coast. Sargent is
home to several hundred residents who enjoy living on
the Intracoastal Waterway and Caney Creek, year round.
Being only 90 minutes from the Greater Houston Area, the
population soars to several thousand as their “escape from
the ordinary” destination choice.
Sargent offers a wide variety of Waterfront
Accommodations including a Motel, a full service Lodge,
5 RV Parks (many with cabin rentals), and several privately
owned vacation rentals. While you’re here you can enjoy
several activities that appeal to all ages: Caney Creek and
the Gulf of Mexico for water activities, 2 Historical Markers,
Wildlife Refuge, Several Specialty Shops, Bird Watching,
World Class Fishing and Kayak rentals. Also while you’re
here don’t forget to take a tour of the Last Swing Bridge in
Texas, which of course is free!
Craving fresh local Seafood?? We have that too, with
seven locally owned restaurants that will satisfy a variety of
appetites, many offering live music during peak season.
Sargent really has it all…..Public Boat ramps, 4 Bait Camps,
2 parks and drivable beaches!!! Come for a day, or come for a
weekend, but come and discover the charming community
of Sargent, Texas.
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For more details, vivist www.matagordacounty.com
March
Earth Week Celebration
Matagorda County
January
17 - Market Day Bay City Courthouse Square
Matagorda Beach Cleanup
Matagorda Beach
January - March
Annual Quilt Show
MC Museum | Bay City
Matagorda County Fair and
Livestock Show
County Fairgrounds
Wellness Matagorda 5K Run
Courthouse Square
February
Matagorda Seafood Festival
Matagorda
so much fun!
11 - Valentine Parade
Downtown Palacios
18 - Visual Arts Show | Palacios
18 - Market Day
Bay City Courthouse Square
February –March
“Wrapped in Pride: Ghanaian Kente and
African American Identity”
Winter Texan Chili Supper | Palacios
February - March
Matagorda County Fair and
Livestock Show
County Fairgrounds
Rodeo Slack Night
Fairground Arena
PRCA Rodeo
Fairground Arena
Pilot Club Duck Race
Matagorda County Birding Nature Center Nature Family Festival
May
6 - Blessing Day | Blessing
April
7 - Visual Arts Show | Palacios
21 - Area wide Garage Sail
Sargent
19 - TPWD Outdoor Women
Palacios Encampment
26 - Collegeport Day | MOPAC House
30 - Annual Trail Ride | Palacios
28 - Caney Creek Marina Memorial Day
Sargent
River’s End Flower Show
Downtown Matagorda
Bam Bam Jamboree
Memorial Day Weekend | Sargent
Rice Festival
Regional Art Show
May-June
Art Show at Karankawa Village
Matagorda
Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
Bay City | Palacios
National Tourism Week
Countywide
MCBNC/Pilot Club Duck Race
Bay City
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Market Day Bay City Courthouse Square
ACS Relay for Life
County Fairgrounds
June
September
3 - Caney Creek Marina Labor Day
Tournament | Sargent
15 - Lawnmower Race | Sargent
Market Day
on the Square
Labor Day Weekend
City By the Sea Museum Fundraiser
6th Street Pub
25 & 26 - Caney Creek Marina
Thanksgiving Tournament
Sargent
July
Matagorda Beach Cleanup
Matagorda Beach
Business to Business Expo
Bay City Civic Center
4 - BC Parks & Rec Flight Fest
Bay City Airport
October
Sargent Chamber Trout &
Red Fish Tournament
Father’s Day Weekend, Sargent
4 - Palacios Lions
4th of July Celebration | Palacios
4 - La Salle Landing & Reenactment Palacios
8 & 9 - Sting Rae’s Off Shore Blast
Sargent
14 - Poker in Palacios Fund Raiser
Palacios
BC Law Enforcement Explorers
Bay City
August
4 & 5 - Blessing of the Fleet
Palacios Turning Basin
4 & 5 - Shrimp-o-Ree Festival
Palacios Recreation Center
13 - Cannonball Run Regatta
TSA Youth Circuit
South Bay Park Palacios
13 - Visual Artists Art Show | Palacios
18 - Bay City Market Day Bay City Courthouse Square
18 - Little Texas Concert (Rotary)
6 - Nature Fest
Matagorda County Birding Nature Center
Downtown Alive!
Bay City Courthouse Square
mid November
Lighted Boat Parade & Gumbo Cook-off
Matagorda Harbor
8 - Pedal Palacios Bike Ride
Palacios
Palacios Rotary Club
Miss Palacios Pageant | Palacios
13 - Kayak Fun Fete | Sargent
13 - Bayfest | Palacios
Christmas on the Square
Downtown Bay City
Festival of Trees | MC Museum
Bubba Fest at Karankawa Village
Matagorda
December
Matagorda Heritage Day
& Shrimp Boil Blast | Matagorda
Nov. 16 thru Dec. 22 - Festival of Trees
MC Museum
Gourmet Guys!
Matagorda County Museum
1 - Seaside Holiday on the Bay
Palacios
BC Lion’s Club Rice Festival
County Fairgrounds
1 - Texas Fisherman Seafood Festival
Palacios
Toys for Kids Motorcycle Run | Bay City
Rice Festival Parade
Downtown Bay City
BC Chamber Christmas Parade
Downtown Bay City
27 - Harvest Moon | Recreation Center
November
Christmas Market Day
WCC Lighted Boat Parade
Matagorda Harbor
Christmas Bird Count
Mad Island Preserve
24 - Lighted Boat Parade
Caney Creek (Sargent)
37
Timeless treasures
Shopping and dining opportunities
abound in Matagorda County
Many visitors to Matagorda County make a beeline to
the beach – and who can blame them? It’s a fine place to be.
But there’s a lot more than beaches to comb in this bayside
county. The same hunter-gatherer instinct that hauls in a
record-breaking catch can hone in on one-of-a-kind bargains
and timeless treasures, as well.
Let’s say your companion’s idea of the perfect getaway
is two days on a fishing boat, but yours is curled up with a
cappuccino amid your pleasingly plump shopping bags.
Matagorda County has plenty for both of you.
Let’s start with Bay City, whose charming historic town
square offers plenty of distractions. This county seat is truly
the metropolis of Matagorda County, and the abundance of
boutiques, specialty shops and cafes shows it.
There are shops specializing in upscale home décor, where
you’ll find everything from Waterford crystal to Yankee
candles; there are gift shops galore, and a scrapbooking store
featuring workshops and a workspace as well as supplies.
You can try on Western wear and formal wear and urban
wear, bling for the girls and duds for the dudes. You’ll find
bargains of all kinds, and you’ll also find exclusive items
that cost more – and are worth it.There’s a specialty boutique
for the smaller set, with items perfect for Junior’s first gala.
If antiques are your thing, you’ll find them in several shops,
including a whole mall dedicated to them.
There are three jewelry stores, featuring one-of-a-kind
pieces fashioned by master artisans. Most shops have more
CREDIT UNIONS ARE DIFFERENTMember FDIC
WE ARE MEMBER OWNED!
979.245.4200
1600 7th Street • Bay City, TX 77414
www.prosperitybanktx.com
“Covering life so you can enjoy every minute of it.”
David Leese, Agency Manager
John Storts, LUTCF, Agent
Avery Campbell, Agent
• Credit Unions are Member-owner
Financial Cooperatives
• Checking Accounts At
Low Or No Monthly Fee
• If You Are A Member, You Are An Owner
• ATM & Debit Cards Available
• Now Our Membership Is Open To
Anyone Living, Working or Worshiping
In Matagorda County
• Federally Insured By NCUA
• We Offer Member On-Line Where
You Will Be Able To Check Your
• Audio Response For Access To Account
Account By Computer Which
Information 7 Days A Week, 24 Hrs A Day Includes Bill Pay
Jen Smith, Agent
Taylor Burns, Agent
Tim Petrich, Agent
979.245.9139
901 Ave F North, Bay City, TX 77414
38
Matagorda County Credit Union
979.245.8674
3700 Avenue F • Bay City, TX 77414
than one purpose; specialty gift items can be found in the
florist shop, the beauty shop, the scrapbooking shop and the
coffee shop, to name a few.
If all that foraging has given you an appetite, you’ll find
plenty to refuel you as you cool your heels. Sip a gourmet
coffee with pastries, have a double-dip ice cream cone or stay
on the healthy side with a café in a natural foods store. And if
you’re in the mood for a little self-pampering, there are several
salons that offer soothing facials and massages.
Ready to move on? You have many choices, and most of
them lead to the coast.
You can wind on down toward the coast on Highway
457 to Sargent, home of the last old-fashioned swing bridge
in Texas. Save some of your appetite for the seafood and
steaks you’ll find and the outdoor dining in view of the
bridge. Several local restaurants offer up tasty fare for
all appetites, and local shops offer nautical-themed gifts,
resale items and everything you need to set yourself up for
some trophy-level fishing.
Alternatively, you can head seaward on Highway 60,
ending up in Matagorda, where you can also dine seaside at
Matagorda Harbor. A variety of other dining options awaits
in Matagorda, from romantic fine dining with a designer chef
to bar-and-grill style family restaurants with attractions for
the kids.
There’s plenty of shopping to be had in and around
Matagorda, as well, where you can sip gourmet coffee or fine
wine with a Texas twist and catch up on the local gossip while
shopping for beautifully crafted accessories, home design
items and works of art. There are just a handful of shops, but
the discerning shopper can find anything from beachwear
and kitchy souvenirs to antiques and fine art.
The third choice is to head due west on Highway 35 to
Blessing, a town of 861 at last count that is as sweet as its name.
Here, too, you’ll find restaurants with tasty fare, including a
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39
historic hotel with a country buffet you just have to slow down
to sample. But first you may want to do a little more shopping
for gifts and specialty items like quilts, jewelry and
imported fabrics. You can also visit the old-fashioned
feed store, or for fast food, you can pick up kolaches
or donuts at one of the country stores, or breakfast
tacos at the Mexican restaurant.
But save some time for Palacios, with its
spectacular setting along Tres Palacios Bay. Along
Main Street and around town, a little scouting will
yield great finds in specialty shops featuring marineinspired artwork and local photography; antiques and
resale items, and even handmade dulcimers. There’s
no shortage of delicious dining here, as well, and
this time with ethnic options: Tex-Mex, Asian, and
Vietnamese fare is available along with fresh-caught
seafood and burgers.
But slow down a bit to savor this “City By the
Sea.” Drink a latte, eat a pastry and browse the
collection at a book-and-coffee store. Catch a sunset
on its pavilion and reminisce about the days gone
by. Spend the night in one of the grand old Bed and
Breakfasts and wake up with the sea sparkling outside your
window – and start all over again.
40
Bay City
Townhouse Motel
1712 Ave. F | 979-245-9460
atodaria@yahoo.com
Bay City Inn
101 W 7th St. | 979-245-0985
Blessing
Hotels/Motels
Best Western Matagorda
Hotel and Conference Center
407 7th St. | 979-244-5400
www.bestwesternbaycity.com
Starland Motel
Hwy. 35 East | 979-245-4811
Comfort Suites
5100 7th Street | 979-245-9300
www.comfortsuites.com
Knight’s Inn
905 Ave. F | 979-245-1751
Regency Inn & Suites
3712 7th St. | 979-245-5115
Economy Inn
6100 East 7th | 979-245-6333
Executive Inn
3620 7th Street | 979 244-5900
The Blessing Hotel on the
National Register of
Historic Places
Corner of FM616 and
10th Street
361-588-9579
Palacios
Baptist Encampment
100 1st St. | 361-972-2717
rob@
texasbaptistencampment.org
The Delux Inn
1505 First | 361-972-2547
The Luther Hotel
Historic Hotel on the Bay
408 S. Bay Blvd.
361-972-2312
Matagorda
Peaceful Pelican
317 East Bay Blvd.
361-972-0317
edith@thepeacefulpelican.
com
Midfield
Bay Prairie Lodge
Hwy. 111 & 71
361-588-6565 or
800-242-1374
bayprairie@ykc.com
www.bayprairie.com
Sargent
Fish Tail Inn
26274 FM 457
979-244-1300
The Lodge at StingRae’s
27334 FM 457
832-563-6221
Bed & Breakfasts
Bay City
Duncan Manor
1720 Elm Street
979-244-1113
Matagorda
Hampton Inn & Suites
Fisherman’s Motel & RV
4617 7th Street | 979-245-7100 40 Fisher St. | 979-863-0000
www.hamptoninn.com
www.fishermansmotel.com
Stanley-Fisher House
107 St. Mary’s St.
979-863-2920
www.stanley-fisher.com
Americas Best Value Inn
920 Ave. F | 979-323-9500
vinupatel@hotmail.com
Palacios
La Quinta
5300 7th Street | 979-323-9095
www.lq.com
Paradise Inn
3501 7th St. | 979-245-8308
affunding@gmail.com
Krejci Cabins at Matagorda
256 County Rd. 253
713-306-1544
www.matagordatexas.com/
krejci-rentals
The Lodge at Karankawa
Village
22996 HWY 60
979-863-7737
www.karankawavillage.com
Main Bed & Breakfast Inn
208 Main St.
361-972-3408 or
1-888-972-3408
maininn@tisd.net
South Texas Inn
1121 Ave. F | 979-244-1432
Studio 6
5511 7th Street | 979-244-2400
Studio6.baycity@gmail.com
41
Vacation Rentals
Matagorda
Barton’s Rental
#75 Sterling Shores – Beach
Front Road
Newly decorated; across from
beach; sleeps 8+
979-244-6419
www.matagordatexas.com
#9 Beachfront
Sleeps 8-10
979-863-1143
www.fullstringerrentals.com
#114 Beach Front Drive
Sleeps 6-8
979-863-1143
#452 Beachfront Paloma
Sleeps 6-8
979-863-1143
#471 Beachfront
Sleeps 4-5
979-863-1143
#70 Beach Road
Sleeps 8
979-863-1143
#71 Beach Road
Sleeps 8
979-863-1143
#77 Beach Road
Sleeps 4-6
979-863-1173
#168 Beach Road
Sleeps 6
979-863-1143
#72 Beach Road
Sleeps 8
979-863-1143
#117 Beach Road
Sleeps 10
979-863-1143
#73 Beach Road
Sleeps 4
979-863-1143
#137 Beach Road
Sleeps 6-8
979-863-1143
Berger House Rental
#140 River Road
Sleeps 6-8
979-244-6530
www.matagordabay.com
#74 Beach Road
Sleeps 8
979-863-1143
#153 Beach Road
Sleeps 6-8
979-863-1143
#76 Beach Road
Sleeps 4-6
979-863-1143
#167 Beach Road
Sleeps 4-6
979-863-1143
#131 Bridgepoint
Sleeps 8-10
979-863-1143
#169 Bridgepoint
Sleep 8-10
979-863-1143
#171 Bridgepoint
Sleeps 8-10
979-863-1143
Bruce Beach House
Faces Matagorda Beach,
Sleeps 6-8
281-655-8953; 281-782-1860
dhbruce@sbcglobal.net
Casa Azul & Casa Cafe’
Sleeps 2-4 per casa
979-863-1143
Colorado River Rental
Rental #76B
3 BR, 2 baths
281-331-5239
Colorado River Rental
Rental #96
Sleeps 12
281-331-5239
120 Rooms
Lounge & Restaurant
Complimentary Breakfast
EVERY KNIGHT. JUST RIGHT.
Outdoor Pool
High Speed Internet
Conference
Free Breakfast
Facilities
Large Truck Parking
Bus Parking
HBO/ESPN/CNN
Available
407 7th St
Bay City, TX 77414
Microwave/
Refrigerator
979.244.5400
Fax 979.244.2706
1.800.551.6056 979.245.1751
905 Avenue F (HWY 60) • Bay City, Texas 77414
1.800.245.5404
www.bestwesternbaycity.com
42
www.knightsinn.com
#4 Condo, Bahia De
Matagorda
Sleeps 4
979-863-1143
www.fullstringerrentals.
com
#21 Condo, Bahia De
Matagorda
Sleep 6-8
979-863-1143
com
#22 Condo,
Bahia De Matagorda
Sleeps 6
979-863-1143
com
#39 Condo, Bahia De
Matagorda
Sleeps 6
979-863-1143
com
The “Crooked Cabin”
Sleeps 6-8
979-478-6145
Dunlap River House
Sleeps up to 10
126 Beach Road
rent126
972-998-0079
Fish Jumpin’ Inn
405 Austin St.
Matagorda, TX 77457
979-863-2309
joycejw@att.net
Full Stringer Lodge
143 Beach Road
Located on the Colorado
River
Sleeps 16
979-863-1143
www.fullstringerlodge.com
Gregory’s Vacation Rental
Sleeps 8
979-863-2118
gregory
Hooked up Lodge
#4560 FM 2031
on the Colorado River,
Sleeps 9
817-430-0616
spe_elliot@msn.com
Huitt Vacation Rental
Sleeps 8
979-240-3597
Joy’s MatagordaVilla
on Colorado River,
Sleeps 4-6
979-236-3106
Krenek’s Beach House
#133 Beach Road
on the Colorado River;
Sleeps 10
979-241-8452
rent133
La Brisa
#99 Beach Front Road
Sleeps 8-9
512-257-0061
l-n-b@earthlink.net
labrisa
Lenz’s Vacation Rental
Sleeps 3-4
979-589-2565
979-218-9936
gmlenz@cox-internet.com
Matagorda Cottages
Sleeps 2-3 per cottage
979-863-1143
com
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
43
Matagorda Dunes Condo #1
Sleeps 6-8
800-814-3312
reservations@
matagordadunes.com
Sleeps 6-8
800-814-3312
reservations@
matagordadunes.com
Sleeps 6
512-567-1741
jamiculver@yahoo.com
Sleeps 6
979-863-7101 or
281-705-4783
condo8/
Sleeps 7-8
979-830-5574
281-770-4186
beach-girl9821@sbcglobal.
net
Matagorda Dunes
Condo #15 & #16
Sleeps 6 in each
713-937-8823
lavidaplaya@sbcglobal.net
Sleeps 6
979-244-9962
979-240-5275
cdennard79@hotmail.com
Matagorda Dunes
Condo #34
Sleeps 6
979-863-2493; 832-971-4045
matagordabeachrentals@
yahoo.com
Matagorda Dunes
Condo #36
Sleeps 6
979-863-2493
832-971-4045
matagordabeachrentals@
yahoo.com
Matagorda Dunes
Condo #41
Sleeps 6
281-494-6772
anneloo@yahoo.com
Matagorda Dunes
Condo #43
Sleeps 6
979-245-5522
wre@wardre.com
Matagorda Dunes
Condo #50
Sleeps 6
281-852-1144
832-797-6178
lhite@earthlink.net
Pelican Seven
#77 Beach Front Rd.
Sleeps 12 comfortably
979-2206740
Pelican77@gmail.com
Poz’s Riverfront Retreat
Selkirk Island; 3 BR, 2 BA
281-343-1006
poz@ev1.net
Rawlings River Front Rental
#203 Beach Road
on the Colorado River,
sleeps 7-8
979-863-7357; 979-863-7669
Rrawlings@matagordaisd.
com
rawlings203/
44
The Red House
huge sun deck; great views;
sleeps 6
888-201-5998; 760-641-1805
#9 Riverbend
Sleeps 8
979-863-1143
com
#40 Riverbend
Sleeps 6
979-863-1143
com
Reed’s Rental
#27 River Bend Road
Sleeps 10
512-502-9039; 512-496-2281
mreed11@austin.rr.com
Rodger’s Roost
#7 Sterling Shores Dr.
Sleeps 10-12
713-542-4970
7beachfront@sbcglobal.net
Rudasill River Retreat
#93 River Road
Sleeps 10
rent93/
Seabound
#208 Beach Road
on the Colorado River, 3 BR
1 ½ bath, sleeps 8
gaynorlaws@yahoo.com
seabound/
Sunrise Lodge
Mark Talasek
979-479-1397
www.
matagordasunriselodge.com
Treybig’s Vacation
Mobile Home
515 Catalpa
2 BR, 2 bath, pets are
welcome
979-240-5287
etreybig@aol.com
The Whatever on the River
182 River Road
Sleeps 12
979-240-3298;361-588-6954
www.matagorda.com/
whatever/
Whatta Smurf
#37 Beach Front Dr.
Short walk to beach; sleeps 6
979-863-7799
#144 River Road
3 BD, 2 bath
512-930-3800
mundahl@verizon.net
Palacios
Bay Breeze Vacation Rental
1301 2nd
$125/night $500/week
$1200/month
1 bed/ 1 bath/ Sleeps 4
Ron Laws
361-972-5900
www.remaxtxcoastal
properties.com
ron@remaxtxcoastal
properties.com
Bay View Waterfront
Vacation Rental
300 South Bay Blvd.
2 BR, 2 bath, deck
512-346-1054
judya@ameliabullock.com
Bounty Vacation Rental
502 South Bay Blvd.
1 BR, sleeper sofa, 1 bath,
view of the bay
361-972-0301
Notcho Vacation Rental
3680 Carancahua Blvd.
Sleeps 6-8
979-548-3447
notchohouse@yahoo.com
www.sargenttexas.com/
notcho
Camp Paw Paw
361-972-0810
johnpierce@johnlpierce.com
Castner Cottage
361-972-0810
East Bay Cottage
412 1st Street
$2000/month
3 bed/ 2 bath/Sleeps 6-8
361-972-5900
www.remaxcoastal
properties.com
Las Brisas at Schicke Point
sleeps 7, lighted fishing pier
361-972-5900
ron@remaxtxcoastal
properties.com
www.remaxtxcoastal
properties.com
La Luz Cottage
361-972-0810
Pelican House
311 Rorem
2 BR, 1 bath, sleeps 4-6,
murals inside and out
wodrichmurals@
wodrichmurals.com
Pelican Housing Source
www.palacioshousing
source.com
Seascape III
304 5th Street
3 bedrooms | 361-972-6339
The Seascape,
A Guesthouse on the Bay
118 ½ South Bay Blvd.
1 BR, 1 bath, sleeps 4-6
361-972-6339
Seascape II (Street Level)
118 ½ South Bay Blvd.
1 room, double bed
361-972-6339
Serenity on the Bay
1717 E.B.S
$1850/month
1 bed/ 2bath/ Sleeps 6
979-972-5900
www.remaxcoastal
properties.com
$150/night $250/wkend
$700/week $1200/month
www.remaxcoastal
properties.com
$1200/month
www.coastalproperties.com
Serendipity Resort Bayhouse
1001 Main St.
2 Cabins, Sleeps 9
361-972-5454
Sunrise on the Bay
$2000/month
3 bed/ 2 bath/ sleeps 8
361-972-5900
www.remaxcoastal
properties.com
$2100/month
2 bed/2 bath/Sleeps 7
www.remaxcoastal
properties.com
The Redfish
504 5th Street
$1750/month
3 bed/ 2 bath/ sleeps 8
www.remaxcoastal
properties.com
Topside Lodging
Madonna Gann
361-972-0495
poorgal2010@yahoo.com
Sargent/Caney Creek
The Blue Marlin
Sleeps 8
832-563-6221
sargentstingrae@yahoo.com
Fins N Feathers Lodge
Caney Creek
979-244-2155
Krooh’s Vacation Rental
2BR, sleeps 6
979-240-4110; 979-244-5353
2Goldens@warwick.net
www.SargentTexas.com
45
Sargent Seahorse
15136 Seahorse St. off
Marlin St. | Sleeps 7
832-618-7604, 281-922-4089,
832-736-9777
ericanthony3@sbcglobal.net
Caney “Y” Vacation Rentals
979-244-4910
kateallen@fishmatbay.com
captaingene@fishmatbay.
com
www.fishmatbay.com
www.sargenttexas.com
Martin House-On Canal
near the Caney Y
Sleeps 2-10
1913 CR 201
Sargent, Texas
979-244-4910
www.Fishmatbay.com
Pelican Reef-Pet Friendly
Sleeps 11
2320 CR 201
Sargent,Texas
979-244-4910
www.Fishmatbay.com
Round House-ON the
Beach & ICW
Sleeps 20
1215 PR 683 (Canal Drive)
Sargent,Texas
979-244-4910
www.Fishmatbay.com
Sunset House - On
Caney Creek
Sleeps 11
2200 CR 201
Sargent,Texas
979-244-4910
www.Fishmatbay.com
Yellow House - On
Caney Creek
Sleeps 8
2170 CR 201
Sargent,Texas
979-244-4910
www.Fishmatbay.com
Bay House - On Caney Creek
Sleeps 11
2234 CR 201
Sargent,Texas
979-244-4910
www.Fishmatbay.com
Captain’s Camp-On Canal
near the Caney Y
Sleeps 6
2181 CR 201
Sargent, Texas
979-244-4910
www.Fishmatbay.com
Coastal Retreat-On the ICW
Sleeps 8
1718 Intracoastal Drive
Sargent,Texas
979-244-4910
www.Fishmatbay.com
Fiesta Palms-Pet Friendly
Sleeps 13
88 CR 201
Sargent,Texas
979-244-4910
www.Fishmatbay.com
Fishin House - On
Caney Creek
Sleeps 7 2114 CR 201
Sargent,Texas
979-244-4910
www.Fishmatbay.com
The Lodge at Sting Rae’s
832-563-6221
sargentstingrae@yahoo.com
www.vrbo.com
Camping and
RV Parks
Bay City
Bert’s RV Park & Propane
1120 Hwy 35 S, across Hwy
from Birding and Nature
Center
979-245-2840
Lighthouse RV Park
halfway to Matagorda
979-863-7773
rvlighthouse@hotmail.com
Bay City Riverside Park
7330 FM 2668
Bay City, TX 77414
Located on the banks of the
Colorado River.
Office: 979-245-0340 Fax: 979-323-1695
www.cityofbaycity.org
riversidepark@
cityofbaycity.org
Caney Creek Marina
RV Park
1052 CR 201
979-245-3691
Caney Y Vacation Rentals
Caney Creek Road
979-244-4910
www.sargenttexas.com/
caneyvacationrentals
Sargent Shores RV Park
Located on CR 299
www.sargentshoresrv.com
832-545-8758
713-419-2078
Blessing
Chaparral RV Park
Pecan St.
361-588-7483
rvresort@yahoo.com
Roundup Campground
453 County Rd. 442
361-588-6954
Traveler’s Paradise RV Park
2517 Nichols
located in town
800-755-5848
979-244-2344
www.travelersparadiserv.
com
Matagorda
Sargent/Caney Creek
Howard Management
Services L.P.
P.O. Box 5
979-863-7888
Anglers RV Park
26010 FM 457, Sargent
979-245-5888
Caney Creek RV Park &
Cabin Rentals
230 CR 285, Sargent
979-245-4735
dan.h.salee@bhpbilliton.
com
www.caneycreekrv.com
46
Fisherman’s Motel
& RV Park
40 Fisher St.
979-863-0000
www.fishermansmotel.com
LCRA Matagorda Bay
Nature Park
South FM 2031
800-776-5272
www.lcra.org/parks
Lighthouse RV Park
979-863-7773
www.matagordatexas/
lighthouserv.com
rvlighthouse@hotmail.com
RV Park
S. Hwy 60, Matagorda
979-863-7442
SeaBird RV Park
700 Center Street
979-863-2592
lodging
seabird@wcnet.net
Palacios
Bayfront RV Park
902 1st St.
full hook-ups, fishing pier
361-218-8688
East Bayshore RV Park
326 E Bayshore Dr.
361-972-6401
Bayshore Food Mart and
RV Park
208 1st St.
Full hookups and
grocery store
361-345-4300
Serendipity Resort
and Marina
1001 Main Street
361-972-5454
Fishermans Village
1678 W. Bayshore Drive
361-484-0373
Full Bar - Catering
2416 Avenue F • Bay City
(979) 245-2449
Now Open To The Public
Monday-Thursday Friday-Saturday
Sunday
11am-9:30 pm
11am-10:30 pm 10:30 am-9:30 pm
BAY VILLA HEALTHCARE CENTER
“Where Caring Is The Heart of the Matter”
Long-term and
short-term care
Standing L - R: Travis Faris, LMSW; Deborah Heaton, RN, MDS; Ann Gooden, Administrator; Dolores
DeLa Rosa, Housekeeping/Laundry Supervisor; Wanda Ruiz LVN, ADON; Angela Cunningham, Activity
Director; Conny Budnick, Medical Records Sitting L -R:, Eddie Reyes, MS,CCC-SLP; Rehab Program
Manager, Rafael Ruiz, Maintenance Director Not present but a vital part or our team are: Jessie Parker,
RN, DON; Robyn Debo, Marketing Liaison; Stephanie Needham, Business Office Manager; Sandra
Soares, HR Director; Lisa Araguz, Manager of Dietary; Martha Kinchloe LVN, Assistant MDS
Skilled Nursing Facility
• I.V. Fluid/I.V. Antibiotic Therapy
• Wound Care/Wound Vac
• Clinically complex/multiple diagnosis
Rehabilitation - In House
• Provided by an excellent team of
licensed professional therapists
• Physical Therapy
• Speech Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
Other Services
• Respite Care
• Hospice Care
We Accept Medicare, Medicaid,
Most Insurances, Private Pay, HMO
1800 13th Street • Bay City • 979.245.6327
47
Matamoros Taco House
1410 1st Street | 361-972-5955
Restaurants
Bay City
4 Aprons Bakery
1732 6th Street | 979-244-2253
A & A Bar-b-q
3404 7th St. | 979-244-5186
Bay City Seafood
& Steak Restaurant
3729 7th St | 979-245-4100
Blue Ocean Seafood
907 Avenue F | 979-245-6559
China Chef
3303 Ave. F | 979-245-4931
China One Buffet
3521 7th St. | 979-245-2081
Chilis
4207 7th Street | 979-244-2144
Diamond S Restaurant
3608 Ave. F | 979-245-4846
El Zarape Café
1917 13th St. | 979-245-2097
Esperanza’s Mexican Food
3301 Ave. F | 979-323-7744
Fat Grass Restaurant
1717 7th Street | 979-244-7277
Glenn’s Country Style
Bar-b-que
2901 6th St. | 979-245-1403
Health Food Cottage Deli
1840 7th St. | 979-245-3833
J.C.’s Steak House
2705 Ave. F | 979-323-0118
K-2 Steak House
1701 8th St. | 979-245-6936
La Casona
2416 Ave F | 979-245-2449
Lambo Wok
3201 7th St. | 979-245-3323
La Fuentes
3300 7th Street | 979-323-1222
Little Caesar’s Pizza
2516 7th Street | 979-244-9400
Townsquare Restaurant
2125 Avenue G
979-245-4900
Matagorda
Bird Nest Sports Bar & Grill
186 Fisher Street
979-863-1167
Lighthouse BBQ & More
18411 St. Hwy. 60 S
979-863-2328
Pizza Palace
376 Fisher Street
979-863-2000
Main Street Deli and
Coffee Bar
1822 7th Street | 979-245-4105
River Bend Tavern &
Restaurant
Beach Rd. | 979-863-7481
riverbend
King Buffet
4500 7th Street | 979-323-8333
Snappers Bar and Grill
1710 FM 2031 | 979-863-7990
Pizza Hut & Wing Street
4301 7th St. | 979-245-7601
Spoonbills Restaurant
773 Cypress Street
979-863-7766
www.spoonbillsrestaurant.
com
Ricardo’s Mexican
Restaurant
4408 7th St. | 979-245-1461
Shipley Donuts
2501 7th Street | 979-245-8871
TK’s Restaurant
1601 7th St. | 979-244-8833
Waterfront Restaurant
190 CR 255 | 979-863-2520
waterfront
Palacios
Taqueria Fernandez
3720 7th St. | 979-244-1385
Janie’s Snack Bar
803 Main Street | 361-972-3201
Blessing
American Legion Restaurant
P.O. Box 2187, Bay City,77404
361-588-6813
Kim’s Kitchen
1410 Main Street
361-972-3519
www.kimskitchenpalacios.
com
Blessing Hotel & Restaurant
Downtown Blessing
361-588-6623
Los Cucos Mexican
Restaurant
1601 1st St. | 361-972-6024
Marisela’s Café
906 Main Street
361-972-0734
48
Outrigger Grill
515 Commerce Street
361-972-1479
www.outriggergrill.com
Palacios Mexican Restaurant
511 Main | 361-972-2766
Simple Simon’s Pizza
309 Henderson
361-972-0998
Tran’s Asian Cuisine
1009 Henderson
361-972-1008
Sargent
A Little Taste of Sargent
8214 FM 457 | 979-244-0806
Blue Gecko Sports
Bar & Grill
25298 FM 457 | 979-323-9772
bgsportsbar@gmail.com
Caney Creek Monna Cafe
1052 CR 201
979-245-3691
Crab Trap Bar & Grill
1652 CR 201 | 979-244-4141
On the Corner Country
Kitchen
FM 457 & FM 2611
979-323-9959
Sting Raes Waterfront
Bar & Grill
27334 FM 457 | 979-323-0611
The Iron Cactus BBQ & Grill
19663 Hwy 457
979-245-6367
Van Vleck
Baytown Seafood
221 Ave. G (Hwy.35)
979-323-0444
Fast Food
Restaurants
Bay City
Church’s Chicken
2514 7th St. | 979-245-9411
Dairy Queen
E. 2921 7th St. | 979-245-7358
Dairy Queen
301 7th St. (Hwy. 35)
979-245-9101
Sonic Drive In
2601 Ave. F | 979-245-6151
Subway Sandwich
2819 7th St. | 979-244-2998
Subway Sandwich
3611 Ave. F | 979-244-4782
Whataburger
2020 Ave. F | 979-244-4959
Matagorda
Subway Sandwich
307 Henderson | 361-972-2273
Coffeeshops/
Coffee Bars
Bay City
Palacios
Dairy Queen
215 Henderson | 361-972-2554
Jack-in-the-Box
2804 7th St. | 979-245-1872
Donut Palace
805 Henderson | 361-972-2242
KFC/Taco Bell
3716 7th St. | 979-245-1684
Palacios Drive In
Chester Chicken
1111 Henderson
361-972-5022
McDonald’s
2101 7th St. | 979-244-4290
Speedy Stop #51
1110 Henderson
Fax 361-972-2135
Main Street Coffee Bar
1822 7th Street | 979-245-4105
Cattails at
Karankawa Village
22996 HWY 60 | 979-863-7737
Palacios
Old Main Bookstore and
Coffee Shop
438 Main Street
361-972-1438
Smoothie Bars
Blessing
Bay City
Blessing Hotel Coffee Shop
Downtown Blessing
361-588-6623
Health Food Cottage
1840 7th St. | 979-245-3833
Sonic Drive In
317 Henderson
361-972-6281
Relax.
We’ll take care of it for you.
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TARGETED DIRECT MAIL • HIGH IMPACT SIGNAGE
EFFECTIVE ADVERTISING & MARKETING
Our job is to make you look good.
1802C N. Velasco
Angleton
979.848.3070
www.baystarprinting.com
Publishing of newsletters and programs
Printing on paper, fabric, banners and plastic
Creation & execution of effective marketing campaigns
49
beautiful scene
Beaches and Bayfronts
Matagorda Beach
Twenty miles of beach are accessible by automobile; the
remaining thirty-five miles are accessible only by boat, making
it an unblemished paradise isolated from much of the public.
Matagorda beaches are a beachcomber’s dream-come true. Also
available to the public is a fishing pier and beachside picnic area.
Permits are required for vehicles entering the beach. Four-wheel
drive vehicles are recommended for areas on the beach beyond
the first three miles.
Great Texas Coastal
Birding Trail
Fourteen state-recognized sites are
located in Matagorda County, nine
of which are in and around the
immediate Palacios area. Birding
maps are available at local chambers
and at the Birding and Nature
Center.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/birdingtrails/
coastal_trail
www.mcbnc.org
NatureTourism@tpwd.state.tx.us
Historical Markers
Palacios Seawall
Palacios’ seawall stretches across 3 miles and is a favorite spot
for many walkers. There are also three public boat ramps and
numerous lighted jetties and piers for fishing and 2 miles of
lighted sidewalk. The historic Luther Hotel is along the seafront.
Matagorda County is host to over 100 Texas State Historical
markers. Maps are available at Bay City Chamber of Commerce
& Agriculture, local chambers, area museums, and our 24-hour
Travel Information Center.
Request a Historical Magazine for full details on Matagorda
County history. Call (877)878-5386
www.visitmatagordacounty.com
Palacios Sand Beach
Along the west end of the south bay seawall at Railroad Park is
a man-made sand beach, perfect for launching small sailboats,
building sand castles, sunbathing, and beach picknicking.
Harbors, Intr acoastal Waterway,
Locks and Swing Bridges
Sargent Beach
Only 90 miles from Houston...Get away from the big city life! Great
fishing, beach combing, shelling and bird watching. Actually an
island bordered to the north by the Intracoastal Canal, to the East
by the San Bernard and to the West by Mitchell’s Cut. Sargent
Beach is protected by an 8 mile Granite Revetment Wall which
protects the Gulf side of the island and offers a road east and west,
behind the wall, for a combined distance of 8 miles down the
beach.
Matagorda Harbor
Craig Hlavinka, Harbormaster
979-863-2103
Birding and Nature Center
The Matagorda County Birding Nature Center spans 34 acres on
the Colorado River and offers nature trails, gardens, boardwalks,
bridges, and an outdoor education center. Call for guided tours.
Pavilion rentals available for special events. Open 7 days a week
(daylight hours).
1025 State Hwy 35 South | Bay City, TX 77414 | 979-245-3336
www.mcbnc.org
50
Port of Bay City
www.portofbaycity.com
979-245-5831
Port of Palacios
Four large commercial turning basins two recreational marinas,
and three boat/ship repair facilities. Homeport to the largest
shrimping fleet on the Texas Gulf Coast.
Debbie Morris – Port Director | 361-972-5556
www.portofpalacios.com
info@portofpalacios.com
Sargent Swing Bridge
979-245-4789
www.sargent-tx.com
La Salle Odyssey
A series of exhibits in seven museums tells the story of La Salle’s
ill-fated expedition and the remarkable discovery and excavation
of La Belle and Fort St. Louis 300 years later. Two Odyssey
museums and La Petite Belle, the half-scale replica of the ship, are
located in Matagorda County.
Matagorda County Museum
Tells the story of the incredible excavation of La Belle; exhibits
many artifacts from the excavation including one of the three
bronze cannon recovered.
2100 Avenue F | Bay City | 979-245-7502
www.matagordacountymuseum.org
City by the Sea Museum
Tells the roll that the town of Palacios and its residents played
in the search for La Belle and the succeeding recovery. Many
artifacts from the excavation are exhibited.
401 Commerce Street | Palacios (permanent location)
361-972-1148
www.palaciosmuseum.org
paha@citybytheseamuseum.org
La Petite Belle
Half-scale replica ship of La Salle’s La Belle berthed at the
South Bay Marina in Palacios. For additional information
call 361-972-6080.
LCRA Matagorda Bay Nature Park
A unique 1,600-acre park and preserve dedicated to providing
recreation, education, preservation and economic benefit to
the region. It will have something for everyone, whether you
like fishing, camping, picnicking, canoeing, bird watching,
beachcombing, swimming, or just relaxing. Call about our
amenities and educational programs.
979-863-2603 local | 800-776-5272, Ext 4740 toll free
Rhonda.westbrook@lcra.org
www.lcra.org/matagorda
Mad Island Wildlife Management Area
This Texas Parks and Wildlife Management Area is 7,200 acres
of coastal wetland habitat set aside for wintering waterfowl.
Conservation tours are given by appointment only. Hunting for
alligators, feral hogs, and waterfowl is permitted through special
scheduled hunts.
Contact: Matt Nelson| 979-323-9553
www.tpwd.state.tx.us
Market Days
Held every third Saturday on the Courthouse square from 8:30
a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Market Days brings over 100 vendors from
throughout the state.
Contact: Bay City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture
979-245-8333
Lauragarcia@visitbaycity.org
www.baycitychamber.org
51
Mud Races
See monster trucks strut their stuff!
E. Highway 35 | Van Vleck, TX 77482
Call 979-245-9229 for schedule of events
March-Oct., races every other weekend
Murals of Palacios
Twelve colorful murals by renowned artist, Dayton Wodrich,
depict the culture and heritage of the Palacios area. Tour guides
and maps available at Palacios Chamber of Commerce.
Texas Independence Trail Region
(Texas Historical Commission)
This state-established travel trail encompasses 28 counties that
stretch from the Alamo to San Jacinto and from the Port at
Matagorda to Washington-on-the-Brazos. Travelers can visit
and view sites where Matagorda men and women lived, fought,
and helped write the Texas Declaration of Independence. Some
gave their lives in this effort to make Texas a free and independent
nation. For more details on the trail: Pick up a free color map and
brochure at any local travel center.
www.texasindependencetrail.org
In Matagorda County, call
(877)TRVL-FUN
For a full listing of the historic sites of the independence trail, call
Lee Towns @ 281-239-9235.
The Nature Conservancy Clive Runnells Family Mad
Island Marsh Preserve
The preserve protects 7,063 acres of intertidal and freshwater
wetlands, coastal prairie, cordgrass meadows and coastal brush
habitat. It lies at the terminus of the Central Flyway, one of four
principal North American migratory bird routes. The preserve’s
upland prairies represent a portion of the remaining 2 percent of
original tall grass coastal prairies that, until 60 years ago, stretched
nearly unbroken from central Louisiana to southern Texas. Mad
Island Marsh birders have tallied the highest number of bird
species in North America in the annual Christmas Bird Count
for 8 years running. (Open to the public on selected weekends.)
http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/texas/
preserves/art6400.html
or www.nature.org/texas
For educational programs at the preserve or other facilities:
Julie Sullivan| 361-972-2559
To make an appointment for access to the preserve:
Julie Sullivan, Preserve Manager | 361-972-2559
Port of Bay City Authority
Since 1965, the Port of Bay City Authority has been
serving the maritime needs of Matagorda County.
The commercial docks at the Port of Bay City
connect the heart of Matagorda County with global
trading partners via the Colorado River and Gulf
Intracoastal Waterway. In 1990, the Port of Bay City
Authority opened Matagorda Harbor in the historic
port town of Matagorda. The harbor has grown over
the years to meet the needs of pleasure and
commercial traffic and now is proud to offer 220
boat slips, a commercial dock, RV park, bait house
and restaurant. The Port of Bay City Authority
continues its commitment to attract and serve
water-borne commerce to Matagorda County.
the oxo people
Bay City Plant
Contact us at:
1305 Seventh Street
Bay City, Texas 77414
Business Office:
Visit the web at:
Harbor Master:
(979) 245-5831
www.portofbaycity.com
(979) 863-2103
52
An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V/D
Palacios Marine Education Center
Palacios ISD offers a K-12 programming with hands-on marine
oriented activities, history and nature studies. Nearby is the
former Camp Hulen, a summer training camp of the 36th
Division of the Texas National Guard in the 1920’s and 30’s.
Tours by appointment.
PISD – 361-972-3774
tsmeck12@skycasters.net | www.palacios.k12.tx.us
Live Music
Bay City
Matagorda
Palacios
Sargent
Eagles Dance Hall
979-244-5615
Latitudes
902 Fisher Street
Matagorda, TX 77457
979-863-7721
Omar’s Bar and Grill
814 Henderson Ave.
361-972-0699
Blue Gecko
Sports Bar & Grill
25298 FM 457
979-323-9772
Fat Grass
1717 7th Street
979-244-7277
Snappers
1710 FM 2031
979-863-7990
El Maton
El Maton National Hall
565 FM 1095
361-588-1177-for details
Waterfront
190 County Road 255
979-863-2520
Outrigger Grill
Live music every Friday and
Saturday nights.
515 Commerce St.
361-972-1479
www.outriggerrestaurant.
com
food@outriggergrill.com
• Free Mobile Service
• Insurance Claims
• Windshield Repairs
dba CM Auto Glass
•Boat
& Car Graphics•
•Car Magnets•
•Screen Printing•
•Embroidery•
•Banners•
•Decals•
•Signs•
•T-Shirts•
•Caps•
Auto Glass
Window Tinting
Auto • Commercial • Residential
1-800-537-9226
Local (979) 244-4851
Fax (979) 245-2754
979-323-9400
3618 Nichols (FM 2668) Bay City, Texas 77414
53
So much to see!
Bay City High School Dungeoneers
produce several plays and musicals each year
Magda Mirelez,
400 7th St. Bay City | 979-245-5771
mmirelez@bcblackcats.net
CAST (Community Actors of South Texas)
Community Theater group produces several plays and
musicals each year; some shown “dinner theatre-style”.
Call 979-318-2485 for more information
www.communityactors.com
Matagorda County Museum and Children’s Museum
Two floors of exhibits, including a large exhibit and artifacts
from the excavation of La Belle¸ and a children’s museum
build like a turn-of-the-century town.
2100 Avenue F, Bay City | 979-245-7502
www.matagordacountymuseum.org
mcma@matagordacountymuseum.org
Palacios City by the Sea Museum
In restored 1910 building on the National Register
of Historic Places.
Museum location:
401 Commerce Street, Palacios | 361-972-1148
www.citybytheseamuseum.org
paha@citybytheseamuseum.org
Palacios Marine Education Center
This historic retirement home of General Hulen, now a learning
facility, houses a small exhibit of local Native American artifacts
and Camp Hulen photographs and artifacts.
200 Shark Drive, Palacios | 361-972-3774
Show by appointment only
54
great times!
Coastal Bend
Images,
Photography
Tours
David Dunham
979-240-8460
www.coastalbendimages.com
info@coastalbendimages.com
Kingfisher
Guide Service
Capt. Walt Schelle
979-863-7666 or
979-240-5187
walt@matagorda-bay.com
• Birding Tour
• Fishing Guide
Day on the Bay
Services
Capt. James Arnold
979-244-6787
jp@dayonthebayservices.com
www.dayonthebayservices.
com
• Birding Tour
• Photography Tour
• Oystering Tour
• Sunset Cruise
• Estuary Tour
LCR A Matagorda Bay
Nature Park
979-863-2603
• Birding Tour
• Educational Programs
• Group Tours
• Guided Kayaking Tour
Don’s Diving
Service
1111 4th St. Palacios, TX 77465
979-972-2177
• Scuba Diving Lessons/
Equipment
Matagorda County
979-245-3336
www.mcbnc.org
• Birding Tour
• Educational Programs
• Group Tours
• Guided Kayaking Tour
Loy Sneary
979-245-1327
loyss@sbcglobal.net
• Farm and Ranch Tours
Palacios Marine Education
Center, Palacios
102 Marine Center Drive
361-972-3774
Tsmeck12@tisd.ned
• Educational Programs and Activities
Papillon
Main Inn Bed and Breakfast
361-972-3408
maininn@tisd.net
• Sailboat Cruises
Tres Palacios Bay, Palacios
For info call 361-972-3960
www.ussailing.net/pyc
• Sailing Regattas
55
List of Advertisers
Arnold’s Seafood Sales............................................................... Page 11
B&K Driftwood Studio............................................................... Page 10
Basket Shop and Boutique, The.................................................Page 25
Bay City Antique Mall.................................................................Page 25
Bay City Chamber of Commerce............................................ Page 25
Bay City Community Development Corp..................... Back Cover
Bay City ISD................................................................................... Page 1
BayStar Printing...........................................................................Page 49
Bay Villa Health Care Center....................................................Page 40
Best Western..................................................................................Page 42
Blue Gecko Sports Bar & Grill.................................................. Page 33
Brady’s Flowers and Tuxedos.....................................................Page 25
Buddy’s Seafood . ......................................................................... Page 11
Caney Creek Marina...................................................................Page 34
Caney Creek RV Park..................................................................Page 34
Capital Farm Credit . ..................................................................Page 39
Cattails............................................................................................ Page 10
Celanese . .......................................................................................Page 39
City State Bank of Palacios......................................................... Page 16
Columbia Lakes............................................................................Page 49
C&M Auto Glass.......................................................................... Page 53
Cornerstone Real Estate, Luvy Bracken..................................Page 25
Farm Bureau Insurance............................................................. Page 38
Fat Grass Restaurant and Bar....................................................Page 49
Fisherman’s Motel & RV Park...................................................Page 39
Fishermann’s Village................................................................... Page 17
Fish Tail Inn...................................................................................Page 34
Full Stringer Realty..................................................................... Page 32
Glass Flippers................................................................................ Page 33
Hampton Inn................................................................................Page 25
Harborside .................................................................................... Page 11
Heavenly Treasures......................................................................Page 26
Knights Inn....................................................................................Page 42
La Casona.......................................................................................Page 47
Latitudes - Matagorda.................................................................Page 12
Lena’s Landing.............................................................................. Page 10
Lisa’s Main Street Salon, Coffee & Wine Bar.........................Page 24
Lodge, The...................................................................................... Page 10
Luther Hotel................................................................................... Page 18
Main Inn Bed & Breakfast, The................................................ Page 17
Matagorda Area Chamber of Commerce................................ Page 9
Matagorda Bay Nature Park ..................................................... Page 15
56
Matagorda County Birding Nature Center............................Page 30
Matagorda County Convention
and Visitors Bureau................................................ Inside Front Cover
Matagorda County Credit Union.............................................Page 38
Matagorda County Fair,
Livestock Show & Rodeo.............................................................. Page 4
Matagorda County Farm Bureau Insurance.........................Page 38
Matagorda Harbor House.......................................................... Page 11
Matagorda ISD.............................................................................. Page 11
Matagorda Museum &
Children’s Museum, The............................................................Page 26
Matagorda Regional Medical Center......................................... Page 2
Matagorda Shoppe....................................................................... Page 10
Mustard Seed.................................................................................Page 24
OXEA.............................................................................................. Page 52
Palacios Chamber of Commerce...........................Inside Back Cover
Palacios Community Medical Center..................................... Page 16
Palacios ISD................................................................................... Page 19
Port of Bay City............................................................................. Page 52
Port of Palacios ............................................................................ Page 18
Prosperity Bank ...........................................................................Page 38
Quilt Fabric & More....................................................................Page 27
Rainbow Land Day Care of Palacios....................................... Page 17
Red Boot ........................................................................................ Page 10
Re/Max...........................................................................................Page 47
Sargent Chamber.......................................................................... Page 35
Sargent Shores RV Park.............................................................. Page 33
Serendipity Bay Resort................................................................ Page 18
Sign Works..................................................................................... Page 53
South Texas Inn............................................................................Page 26
Spoonbills Restaurant..................................................................Page 12
Stanley’s Food Market................................................................... Page 9
Stanley - Fisher House, Bed & Breakfast and Lodge............ Page 11
Sting Rae’s Waterfront Bar & Grill........................................... Page 35
Terri Miller, Realtor Cornerstone Real Estate........................Page 26
Texas Coastal Living Properties................................................Page 26
Texas Lakeside RV Resort..........................................................Page 43
Texas State Healthcare................................................................Page 27
Ward Real Estate Inc..................................................................... Page 6
Wharton County Jr. College...................................................... Page 13
Wood’s Liquor...............................................................................Page 34
summer
fall
Spring
winter
2012 SPECIAL EVENTS
January 21 4-H/FFA Fundraiser BBQ & Auction
January 28 Deutschburg Seafood Dinner/Supper Fundraiser
February 7 CofC Winter Texan Chili Dinner - KC Hall
February 11 Harmony Clubs Valentine Parade & Dance - Rec Center
February 11 4H/FFA BBQ Fundraiser - KC Hall
February 16 CofC Annual Banquet - Rec Center
February 18 Palacios Visual Artists Gallery Show - Old Brandon Building
February 18 2nd Annual Winter Gala - St. Anthony’s Catholic Church
April 14 Palacios Trail Riders Assoc. Annual Trail Ride to Blessing
May 5 Cinco de Mayo Boys & Girls Club
May 19 Palacios Visual Artists Gallery Show
July 4 LaSalle Landing East Bay Park
July 4 Lions Club BBQ and Fire Works East Bay Park
July 14 Poker in Palacios Fund Raiser - Rec Center
August 5 St. Anthony Church Shrimporee seafood dinner - Rec Center
August 10-11 CofC Family Fish Fest - East Bay Park
August 11 Palacios Visual Artists Gallery Show - Old Brandon Building
August 18 Cannonball Run/Youth Regatta by Yacht Club - South Bay Park
Palacios
Chamber of
Commerce
“City by the Sea”
August 22 Christmas in August Gourmet Food Demonstration Fundraiser for
Seaside Holiday - Rec Center
September 3 Labor Day City by the Sea Museum Fundraiser
September 20 Hospital Box Supper
October 13 Chamber Foundation Bay Fest BBQ Cook Off, S. Bay Park
October 13 Pedal Palacios - South Bay Park
October 20 Harvest Moon Dinner Dance Palacios Library
November 3 Miss Palacios Pageant - Fine Arts Building, PHS
November 10 Palacios Visual Artists Gallery Show - Old Brandon Building
November 24 Christmas on Main Street
December 1 Texas Fishermen’s Seafood Festival-MCMAC - Rec Center
December 3 CofC Seaside Holiday Santa arrival by Shrimp Boat - South Bay Park
1st Thursday of each month Chamber General Membership meetings.
2nd Thursday of each month Chamber Board of Director meetings.
For more information on events and
living or vacationing in Palacios, call:
Palacios Chamber of Commerce
361.972.2615 or 800.611.4567
or visit our website:

Bay City Plant - Matagorda County

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