Matagorda, Texas
Matagorda (/ˈmætəˈɡɔːrdə/ (
listen)[1]) is a census-designated place in Matagorda County, located near the mouth of the Colorado River on the upper Texas coast in the United States. In 2010, its population was 503.[2] Matagorda is primarily a tourist town, with commercial and recreational fishing being the top industries. About 23 miles (37 km) of beach are accessible by vehicle and 35 additional miles are accessible only by boat. Matagorda is at the end of State Highway 60 and beginning of Farm to Market Road 2031, which runs over the Intracoastal Waterway and south to the Gulf of Mexico.
History[]
Matagorda is the third-oldest Anglo-American 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.
Twenty-four historical markers are in the township of Matagorda.[5]
Activities[]
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The most popular activity in Matagorda is visiting the beach. It 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. Miles of designated paddling trails are in the Matagorda area.[6]
Matagorda County has been number-one 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.
Education[]
Matagorda ISD is the local K-8 school district.
The designated community college for Matagorda ISD is Wharton County Junior College.[8]
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.
- ^ Texas Education Code Sec. 130.211. WHARTON COUNTY JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.
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
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Coordinates: 28°41′27″N 95°58′03″W / 28.69083°N 95.96750°W
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- Census-designated places in Matagorda County, Texas
- Populated coastal places in Texas
- 1827 establishments in Texas
- South Texas geography stubs