Collegeport Post Offices
 

The early post office in Collegeport was located in the Sholl Block. Likely it was in Mr. Sholl's business, Collegeport & Satsuma Townsite Company, as Mr. Sholl was the first postmaster from August 26, 1909 until James H. Adams was appointed postmaster on July 29, 1910.
The post office sign can be seen on the left side of the building.

The post office sign is reflected in the window.
 

POSTMASTER AT COLLEGEPORT.

Those who are interested are hereby reminded of previous publication in these columns that civil service examination for postmaster at Collegeport will be held in this city on Dec. 11. For particulars, see P.M. at Collegeport or Bay City . The salary for the last year was over $900, but Postmaster Adams of Collegeport, who is resigning, tells the News-Farmer it will be little more than half that sum this year. The appointee must be 21 years of age if a man or 18 if a woman--and there is one instance of woman's superiority over man.--Matagorda County News and Midcoast Farmer, Bay City , December 3, 1915

New Postmaster At Collegeport

David J. Sparks has been appointed postmaster at Collegeport.--Matagorda County Tribune, Friday, February 4, 1916
 

Mrs. Wilson has opened a restaurant in the Post Office building .--Matagorda County Tribune, October 3, 1919
[Apparently the new restaurant was in the former post office building in the Sholl block after Mr. Clark moved his store to the two-story building.]

The post office has been moved into Mr. Clark's store. Mr. Clark will be our new postmaster and will take charge in a few weeks.--Matagorda County Tribune, October 24, 1919 

Oscar Chapin is this week painting the post office building.--The Daily Tribune, May 5, 1928

The cement culvert in front of the post office is finished and looks like a real job.--The Daily Tribune, August 1, 1928

In the absence of S. W. Corse, Ben Mowery is rendering most excellent service as postmaster. Mr. Mowery has had years of experience in the post office service and is more than qualified.--The Daily Tribune, Franklin Theatre Section, Wednesday, May 18, 1932

Mopac changes time Sunday the 17^th and our mail beginning Monday will leave the post office at ten a. m., instead of two p. m. and arrive at noon instead of 3:30.--The Matagorda County Tribune, Thursday, May 21, 1936

Mrs. Fred Law is substituting for Mrs. L. C. Smith at the post office this week.--Palacios Beacon, February 14, 1963
 

Originally the Canning Factory and later the Collegeport Post Office
Located on 1095 east of  Mopac House
(Courtesy of Peggy Koster)
 

About 1922, the Kundingers moved their drug store building to the area known as Turnerville.
This area was on what is now known as Oyster Lake Road about one-half mile south of FM 1095.

Hattie Kundinger assumed charge of the post office on August 1, 1949 and retired in February 1956.
The post office sign can be seen in the this photo.
She was followed by Grace I. Smith.
 

Collegeport PM Named

Sectional Center Manager Postmaster E. C. Stevenson of Houston, Texas, today announced the appointment of Lynda G. Lenz as the new Postmaster at Collegeport, Texas effective Saturday, July 16, 1977.

Lynda G. Lenz, twenty-eight years of age, a native of Bay City, Texas, has served as officer in charge for the past year.

The Collegeport, Texas post office has annual receipts of $2,976.09. As Postmaster, Ms. Lenz will earn $9,988.16 in salary and fringe benefits.

Postmaster selections are made on the basis of merit from a list of qualified candidates submitted to the Regional Management Selection Board. The board, composed of representatives of the United States Civil Service Commission, the American Arbitration Association and two postmasters, selects and recommends to the Postmaster General the best qualified person for appointment to each vacancy.

Palacios Beacon, July 21, 1977
 

Quaint Collegeport Post Office to be Replaced Soon
By Janet Whitehead

Collegeport--"Nothing today," Collegeport Postmaster Linda Lenz told one of her postal customers before he even made it i the door.

Lenz runs a one-woman operation as postmaster in the small, quiet community that would seem like it's at the end of the world to most city folks, but she knows her customers well and knows when she sees them if they've received a letter or another bit of mail.

For 15 years she has operated in a tiny, white building -- 196 square feet -- which is best described as "quaint."

Though it's as operational as any other post office as far as service to the customers, it's not perfect. There is no running water, no telephone and is not well insulated.

But the town, particularly Lenz, was happy to hear recently that the Facilities Department of the U. S. Post Office has planned for a new post office in the town.

By the end of October the new building should appear on Texas 1095 where now there is a field of yellow wildflowers across from the Mopac building.

Richard Kirk, facilities specialist at the Houston Division Office, chuckled when he said that the new building will be 500 square feet "because that's the smallest size we build now."

Kirk is very familiar with all the post office facilities in Matagorda County and appreciates the quaintness of Lenz's present building. But the new office will be "a great improvement over the existing building," he assured.

Air conditioning and a restroom are two reasons that it won't be so hard to abandon the current accommodations. Of course the new facility will be handicapped accessible too.

Though Collegeport is a quiet, remote place, Lenz is probably one of the least lonely postmasters around. Coming in during the four hours she's there six days a week are mostly friends and family of hers.

In every small town there is usually one place where people gather to socialize and catch up on the latest news about other relatives and neighbors. "This is it," Lenz said. "Now my customers will have a nice place to come to."

The harmless gossip "gets interesting because so many of us are related."

Mainly she listens. People who come in sometimes want to chat or get a problem off their chest. "I'm a good listener," she says, "but I don't offer much advice."

Lenz sees the same people day in and day out and has about the same routine Monday through Saturday. " I drive each day to El Maton to pick up the mail for our office." There are 53 boxes rented in the office. At least 12 people come into the office on any given day and "between all the book work and processing of mail"--and visits--there is no time to feel too lonely.

When that occasional "stranger in town needs information, the post office is usually the first place they think to come for advice. If a person needs to know where so-and-so lives or where a piece of real estate is or how to get to Palacios, Lenz can usually point them in the right direction. "If I don't know the answers then I'll send them to somebody else."

Without any other postal workers Lenz has become a versatile postmaster.

"Being that it's a one-person post office, you're supposed to know a lot about everything," which is good for her, she says.

Since she only works until 12:30 in the day, she said, "It's really been a good job for raising a family."

Though she's locating to a bigger building, not much else will be changing for the Collegeport postmaster once the operation is moved from the cinder-block building.

According to Kirk, bids on the purchase of the property and the new building will be taken through July 29. After the bidding process it should take 30-60 days for construction to begin and another 45-60 days for the office to be finished.

Daily Tribune, 1992

Quite Quaint--Collegeport Post Office with only 196 total square feet is big enough to hold the mail of the area residents, but Postmaster Linda Lenz has been without a telephone or running water there for 15 years. This year the town will be getting a larger, more modern facility. The new post office will be 500 square feet, a little larger place for Collegeport residents to gather and chat when they come to get their daily mail.

Collegeport Post Office
450 King Road [Collegeport Loop] [Avenue D on original plat], Block 60 Lots 2-4
Post Office January 1956 - September 1992
Postmasters Grace I. Smith & Lynda Lenz
 

Collegeport Post Office
September 16, 1992 - Present
Photos courtesy of G. W. Franzen

Under construction 1992
Photo courtesy of Dorothy Franzen Merck

September 16, 1992 was the opening day for the Collegeport Post Office pictured above.
Lynda Lenz was the postmaster and had been for 17 years.

Collegeport Post Office

The local Postmaster, Lynda Lenz, received from the United States Postal Service in Dallas, a notice to be posted in the lobby requesting bids for property in Collegeport to construct a  new Post Office. The notice was posted, but no one responded. This led Mr. Harold Hobbins, Sr., Real Estate Specialist, from the Dallas Facilities Service Office to come to Collegeport May 7, 1990 to find a suitable location.

When Mason Holsworth came to pick up his mail, Lynda introduced him to Mr. Robbins and told him of his mission. Mason told Mr. Robbins that his Aunt Margaret Holsworth had owned lots across from the Presbyterian Church which would meet the requirements by the Postal Services. The property was submitted for sale November 1, 1990 along with two lots from the Lewis-McDonald Trusts of Bay City. After several on-again, off-again attempts, the new Post Office was completed and officially opened on September 16, 1992.

Not only does the new office provide the area with a first class postal facility but also a great place to visit with our neighbors each morning. Needless to say this community is proud of this facility.

Mason Holsworth
 

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