Matagorda, Texas
Matagorda (/ˈmætəˈɡɔːrdə/ (
History
Matagorda is the 3rd oldest town in Texas.[3] It was established in 1827 when Stephen F. Austin obtained permission from the Mexican government to build a town to protect incoming settlers.[4] Elias R. Wightman, who was one of Stephen F. Austin's early surveyors, traveled to Matagorda in 1829 with 60 immigrant settlers.
There are 24 historical markers in the Township of Matagorda.[5]
Activities
The most popular activity in Matagorda is visiting the beach. Matagorda is a fishing hot spot on the Texas coast. It provides access to both East and West Matagorda Bays, Matagorda Beach, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Matagorda is known as one of the best kayaking and kayak fishing destinations on the Texas coast due to miles of shallow marsh area only accessible by kayak. There are miles of designated paddling trails in the Matagorda area.[6]
Matagorda County has been #1 in the nation since 1997 in the North American Audubon Christmas Bird Count with 234 different species spotted.[7] Among the more impressive species which have been reported are the Prairie warbler, Common poorwill, Broad-winged hawk, MacGillivray's warbler, and Swainson's warbler.
References
- "Matagorda Bay". Dictionary.com. Random House, Inc. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
- "Texas: 2010 — Population and Housing Unit Counts" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. September 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- "Matagorda Area Chamber of Commerce". www.matagordachamber.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-22. Retrieved 2015-12-13.
- J., KLEINER, DIANA. "MATAGORDA, TX". tshaonline.org. Retrieved 2015-12-13.
- "MATAGORDA COUNTY HISTORICAL MARKERS". www.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Retrieved 2015-12-13.
- "Matagorda Paddling Trails – Matagorda Adventure Company". www.matagordaadventures.com. Retrieved 2015-12-13.
- "Matagorda Area Chamber of Commerce — Birding". www.matagordachamber.com. Archived from the original on 2016-02-10. Retrieved 2015-12-13.
External links
- Matagorda, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online
- U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Matagorda, Texas
- Matagorda Beach information
- Matagorda Beach Cam
- Matagorda Chamber of Commerce