San Antonio and Mexican Gulf Railroad

Port Lavaca fought Indianola for this road and won. Its backers included Samuel Maverick, John O. Meusebach, George Wilkins Kendall and John J. Linn, but Victoria refused to buy stock until the track crossed the Guadalupe. To keep the terminus, Port Lavaca organized the Lavaca Navigation Company and ordered a dredge from Troy, New York. The five miles built by late 1857 saved the charter and earned 58,000 acres in state land. The rains of 1869 so softened the roadbed that cars were drawn by mules or even driven by sail.

What the plaque says

San Antonio and Mexican Gulf Railroad Chartered in 1850, the San Antonio & Mexican Gulf Railroad was one of the first railroads in Texas. San Antonio investors hoped it would open trade from the Gulf. As the line was built westward from Port Lavaca, wagons loaded with goods met the train on the open prairie. In 1863 Confederates destroyed the track to keep it out of Union hands. In the 1870s the line was associated with Charles Morgan's steamship company. Southern Pacific bought the railroad in 1884. Until the 1930s weekend excursions were offered to Port Lavaca beaches. (1979)

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Beach Hotel — steps away
• Calhoun County Hurricanes — steps away
• Calhoun County Participation During World War II — steps away
• Howard Gallemore Hartzog, Sr. — steps away