Roland Douglas Jenkins
May 10, 1948 - August 31, 2024

Patrick Henry Jewell
September 18, 1939 – August 17, 2024

Charles Edward Gibson
February 13, 1947 - March 19, 2025

Louis Kopnicky, Jr.
March 17, 1939 - September 6, 2024

Willie “Milton” Ledwig
August 26, 1947 - December 24, 2024

Dorothy Elaine Mondrik
September 15, 1947 - December 5, 2024

Thelma Myrle Holloway
January 13, 1930 - September 6, 2024

We extend our deepest sympathy to the families who have lost loved ones.

If you know of others, please EMAIL additions.
 

Collegeport Missouri-Pacific Depot

Use this link to read more about how Mopac House came about.

https://www.usgenwebsites.org/TXMatagorda/collegeport/collegeport_mopac.htm
 

 Details on repairs and improvements to the Mopac House will be available on Collegeport Day.

Harry Austin Clapp
at left.

The Mopac House has served as Collegeport’s Community Center since 1935. It is constructed of reclaimed materials salvaged from the Missouri Pacific Railroad Station at Collegeport. The line to Collegeport was decommissioned in 1933, and, as was the practice of the time, materials salvaged from the demolition of abandoned depots were used to maintain other buildings on the system that were still in service.  Through the untiring efforts of Harry Austin Clapp, the Collegeport railroad station and freight depot were secured by gift from the Missouri-Pacific Railroad for use as a community center.  Plans to move the building to the present site of Mopac House failed to materialize as a storm collapsed the freight depot portion before the move.   Crews deconstructed the entire structure and salvaged its lumber, doors and windows, and moved them to the site just west of the Collegeport Public Library.  Mopac House was built on a concrete slab foundation, incorporating the salvaged materials, and joined to the library building. This provided a reading room for the library, a kitchen and a spacious auditorium.  The new building was named Mopac House to commemorate the passing of the railroad.  Mopac House opened with a luncheon provided by the Collegeport Woman’s Club on May 4, 1935.  Proceeds of the luncheon ($.50 per plate) were used to buy new books for the library.  A dance was held that evening from 8:00-12:00 @ $.25 admission.  Collegeport native Ethel Nelson Williams recalled that on the opening day, the youth had a roller skating party in the Mopac House and that many of them shared their second roller skate so that everyone could participate.

Mr. Clapp envisioned a Community Center for Collegeport over 90 years ago, and through his efforts, Mopac House stands as Collegeport’s Community Center in its 90th year.  The Mopac House is presumed to be the oldest Community Center in Matagorda County.