Texas Baptist Encampment Grounds

On July 21, 1921, campers from the Palacios encampment went swimming at Greens Bayou, about 25 miles away, and an undertow pulled them under. John T. Price died trying to save others. One local history counts eight dead but accounts for seven bodies. C. W. Caldwell of Abilene paid for a memorial building in 1923, the auditorium the plaque names without saying why. The 1942 hurricane destroyed it and a replacement followed in 1944. Carla took thirteen dormitories, the dining hall and eight pavilions in 1961, and volunteers reopened for the 1962 season.

What the plaque says

Texas Baptist Encampment Grounds Selected in 1906 by the Texas Baptist convention as the site for a permanent encampment grounds, this coastal area was the scene of many inspirational camp meetings typical of Texas and the entire south in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In those days thousands of families would come by wagon, surrey, buggy, but primarily by train to spend weeks or longer at the grounds. Religious activities and the opportunity for relaxation and social life made the days pass pleasantly. The campers enjoyed fishing, swimming, and boat rides on the bay. On opening day of the first camp meeting here (held July 3-12, 1906) gate keepers had to use buckets to collect the $1 admission fees -- typically paid in silver dollars. Campers stayed in the varied quarters provided and cooked their meals out of doors. Over the years, many outstanding baptist ministers spoke at the meetings. Among these were John L. Hill and George W. Truett. Prominent leaders included J.F. Barnett, R.H. Coleman, T.C. Gardner, and Bob Jolly. The first permanent auditorium was moved from La Porte (site of earlier encampments). It was replaced by a memorial auditorium, 1923. The present building was erected after the hurricane of 1942. (1968)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Indianola — 21 mi
  The site of Texas's second port, where Morgan's steamships, Army freight and the first refrigerated beef passed until the hurricanes of 1875 and 1886, now mostly under Matagorda Bay.
• Half Moon Reef Lighthouse and Linnville — 25 mi
  The last screw-pile lighthouse of the Texas coast, brought ashore at Port Lavaca, a town founded by refugees from Linnville, the port Buffalo Hump's Comanches burned in August 1840.

More markers nearby

• Palacios Preparatory School — steps away
• First Baptist Church of Palacios — 0.3 mi
• St. John's Episcopal Church — 0.3 mi
• Palacios Pavilions — 0.3 mi