CALHOUN COUNTY HISTORY - Page 2
Other towns in Calhoun County were settled in the 1840's as well. The town of Seadrift was settled in 1848 by Germans who decided against moving inland. In the 1850's many polish immigrants came to Indianola. Olivia was settled by a large Swedish colony and Port O'Connor, originally Alligator Head was named in honor of Thomas O'Connor. Many native Tejanos were granted land in the county and built ranches on the prairies.
Texas became a state in 1845 and Calhoun County was organized from portions of Victoria , Jackson and Matagorda Counties in 1846. It was named after John C. Calhoun who had been vice-president under John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. Lavaca became the county seat but because of the railroad and due to the fact that Indianola had become the most important port in the county, the county seat was transferred to Indianola in 1852. In 1857, the county courthouse at Indianola was completed, traces of which remain today about 50 feet out into the bay.
The chief exports from Calhoun County during this period were cotton, hides, tallow, pecans and cattle. For a time, canned beef was shipped from Indianola, mostly for use on ships. Then in 1861, came the Civil War. Calhoun County did not feel the effects of the war until around 1863. Port Lavaca was shelled by Union gunboats anchored at Gallinipper point. Although cannonballs damaged many of the homes, the gunboats were unable to enter the bay because it had been mined with underwater mines created by the Singer Company from Port Lavaca.
Fort Esperanza , on Matagorda Island , was under the control of the Confederate army until 1863 when it was captured by Union Forces. The one and only land battle that took place in Calhoun County was the Battle of Norris Bridge. The battle was won by Federal troops who then marched on to Port Lavaca. Trenches made by both armies can still be seen on Matagorda Island today. A highly dangerous hurricane swept over Indianola in 1875. Property damage and loss of life occured because the town was so close to sea level. Although they rebuilt the town, it never again regained its former status. After being hit by a second hurricane in 1886 the tow simply passed into history. In 1887, the title of county seat reverted back to the town of Port Lavaca .
In the early 1900's Port Lavaca became, although not the bustling port that its rival had been, a town for vacationers from the interior. Excursion trains brought groups to swim and dance at the pavilion that jutted into the bay. It wasn't until recently that it is once again regaining its importance as a port city due to the connection of a 26-mile long ship channel that connects Calhoun County with the Gulf.
Today, Calhoun County raises and exports cattle. Produces sorghum, rice, corn, pecans, cotton and seafood. Also today the large industries of Alcoa, Dow , Formosa , BP Chemical, Gemco of Port Lavaca and Union Carbide are growing industries in the area. The hope of a promising future lives in all who continue to live, work and enjoy Calhoun County .
