2019 Marks COLLEGEPORT’s 111^th YEAR

Dear friends of Collegeport,

We cordially invite you and your family to join in celebrating Collegeport Day on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at the Mopac House.    Our traditional BBQ dinner will begin at 12:00 noon.  Please bring side dishes, salads and desserts to complete the meal.

Collegeport Day commemorates our community’s founding in 1908.  Each year, residents and friends gather to reminisce and enjoy great food and fellowship.    Collegeport Day, observed annually since 1908, is held the LAST Saturday in May, and is the longest-standing celebration of its kind in Matagorda County.

Barbecue Donors--The children of Ottmar and Martha Jane Schimek give the beef for this year’s celebration in loving memory of their parents.  We extend a gracious “Thank You” to the Schimek family!  Please let us know if you or your family would like to contribute for Collegeport Day 2020. 

Barbecue preparations begin mid-afternoon on Friday and continue until dinnertime on Saturday.  Come join the BBQ Crew and experience this tradition as well!  Remaining barbecue will be sold at the pit after dinner. Proceeds help fund this event and expenditures on the Mopac House.

Volunteers to assist with set-up of tables and chairs on Saturday morning, and with clean-up after dinner, are GREATLY APPRECIATED!

MOPAC HOUSE

The Mopac House is currently undergoing necessary maintenance.

Further repairs will continue after Collegeport Day.  Individuals or families wishing to support this effort are encouraged to do so.  We will have more details on Collegeport Day.

Please use the following link to read about the Mopac House and how it came about:  

http://www.usgenwebsites.org/TXMatagorda/collegeport_mopac.htm

St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico Depot (ca.) 1910

Missouri-Pacific Depot (ca.) 1934 prior to dismantling

Rail service came to Collegeport in 1910 and continued until 1933 when the line was decommissioned.  The depot was gifted to the community for use as a community center due to the persistence of Industrial League Secretary, Harry Austin Clapp.  The Mopac House Foundation was organized to receive the gift from the Industrial League in 1935.  The Missouri Pacific Depot was located just south of the last curve approaching Collegeport.  Under the direction of County Commissioner G. A. Harrison who organized a workforce of WPA labor, the depot was disassembled and the materials were used to construct the present Mopac House in conjunction with the Collegeport Library. The Grand Opening of Mopac House was held on May 4, 1935.

The Mopac House Foundation holds and maintains the building and property for the use and benefit of the residents of the community.  The Mopac House has served the Collegeport Community for 84 years.

Please use the following link to learn more about Historic Collegeport:

http://www.usgenwebsites.org/TXMatagorda/collegeport.htm

The Hotel Collegeport being constructed.
The picture was originally published in the Savonburg [Kansas] Record on May 14, 1909
 

This photo from the same perspective shows the newly completed hotel.

Please e-mail photos or other information you wish to add to our archive.  We will scan any photos or documents that you bring with you.

“THANK YOU” to all supporters who give so freely of their time, talents and financial assistance to keep this longstanding community tradition.
 

In Memoriam