Matagorda, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Matagorda
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Town
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Sign indicating Matagorda
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 Matagorda
Location in Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Matagorda |
| Elevation | 7 ft (2 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 313 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central Time Zone) |
| GNIS feature ID | 2586960 |
Matagorda is a small town located in Matagorda County, Texas, in the United States. It sits right near where the Colorado River meets the Gulf of Mexico, along the upper Texas coast. In 2020, about 313 people lived there.
Matagorda is a popular place for visitors, especially for fishing. Both commercial fishing (for selling) and recreational fishing (for fun) are very important here. You can reach about 23 miles of the beach by car. Another 35 miles of beach are only accessible by boat. Matagorda is at the end of State Highway 60. It is also the start of Farm to Market Road 2031. This road goes over the Intracoastal Waterway and south to the Gulf of Mexico.
Contents
History of Matagorda
Matagorda is one of the oldest Anglo-American towns in Texas. It was started in 1827. This happened when Stephen F. Austin got permission from the Mexican government. He wanted to build a town to protect new settlers.
Elias R. Wightman, one of Stephen F. Austin's early surveyors, came to Matagorda in 1829. He brought 60 immigrant settlers with him. The town has 24 historical markers. These markers tell about important events and places. Early Spanish settlers named Matagorda. The name means "fat thicket" in Spanish. This was because of the thick plants that grew near the coast.
Population and People
In 2020, the population of Matagorda was 313 people. There were 242 households and 167 families living in the area.
What Makes Matagorda Special?
Matagorda's beach area offers access to both East and West Matagorda Bays. It also connects to Matagorda Beach and the Gulf of Mexico. This makes it a great spot for water activities.
Since 1997, many different kinds of birds have been seen here. Bird watchers have spotted 234 different species. Some of these birds include the prairie warbler, common poorwill, and broad-winged hawk.
Education in Matagorda
The local school district is called Matagorda Independent School District. Students who want to go to community college usually attend Wharton County Junior College.
See also
In Spanish: Matagorda (Texas) para niños
