Historical Marker
Calhoun County
Port Lavaca, Calhoun County · Texas
Erected 1966
Calhoun County was never plantation country, yet it held enslaved people and chose the Confederacy. Between 1850 and 1860 its population grew from 867 White and 234 Black residents to 2,642, of whom 414 were enslaved. A few plantations worked Green Lake and Cox's Point, but most Black residents lived in town as servants or in the seaport trades, and the slave trade at Indianola peaked in 1852. In 1860 the county raised only five bales of cotton. The next year its voters chose secession, 276 to 16.
What the plaque says
Calhoun County Formed from Jackson, Matagorda, and Victoria counties; created April 4, 1846 - organized July 13, 1846. Named in honor of John Caldwell Calhoun 1782-1850. A distinguished southern statesman, a member of Congress and of the cabinet. Vice-president of the United State, 1825-1832. Port Lavaca, the county seat. (1966)
Where it stands
28.61245, -96.62536 · Directions
More markers nearby
- Howard Gallemore Hartzog, Sr. — steps away
- Calhoun County Participation During World War II — steps away
- Calhoun County Hurricanes — steps away
- Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church — steps away