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Population:
636 (2010) 1,600 (2000, 1990)
Today the former town of Lamar is remembered by its cemetery
(across from the Lamar Volunteer Fire Department building). Although
technically the "town" is more populated than ever, many of the houses
are weekend residences and the town lacks a traditional center. |
History in
a Pecan Shell
Founded in 1839,
Lamar was a rival to the then thriving Aransas City, Texas which was
just across Copano Bay at Lookout Point. Aransas City had the customhouse
which guaranteed prosperity. Lamar became the first coastal town in
(what was then) Refugio
County.
The President of the Republic was petitioned by a group of settlers
to move the customhouse from Aransas City. Their forceful argument
that the new town was twice the population of Aransas City convinced
the President - who just happened to share the same name of the town.
The change was made and the worse fears of Aransas Citizens became
a reality. Aransas City virtually disappeared.
Lamar's star rose and its prosperity surpassed that of its former
rival - that is until the town was destroyed by Union forces during
the Civil War. Only a few shellcrete foundations remained.
Lamar found itself in Aransas
County when that county was established in 1871. |
"Alligator
Crossing"
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, May 2013 |
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Photographer's
Note:
Across Copano Bay (to the north) from Fulton
is Lamar (peninsula). St Charles Bay is to its east. The BIG
TREE is here off 12th street. The picture shown is looking at
St. Charles Bay through this tunnel of Live Oak Trees. The BIG
TREE is to the left at the end. This is aligator country so you
need to be on the look out. I made 2 shots of one special gate. One
shows a sign and the other shows a guardian angel. Grain feeders are
frequent here to feed the deer. In the winter the Whooping Crane eat
the grain too. A Goose Island Ranger told me in January the Whooping
Cranes will fly from Aransas Wildlife Refuge over the BIG
TREE to the feeders and water tanks on 8th St. and even 4th St.
- Ken
Rudine, May 2013
Lamar Cemetery
The cemetery,
said to be the oldest in the territory, remains relatively unchanged
and is one of the more picturesque coastal cemeteries in the state.
It has been designated a historical landmark.
A list of all interments has been made available through the Lamar
Cemetery Association. Authored by Mary Lou Brannon the information
is available at the Aransas County Public Library and at the cemetery
itself.
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Historical Marker:
The Lamar Cemetery
This burial
ground originally served pioneer settlers of the Lamar community.
Founded by James W. Byrne (d. 1865), a native of Ireland and a veteran
of the Texas Revolution, it was named for his friend Mirabeau B.
Lamar, former president of the Republic of Texas. The earliest grave
is that of Patrick O'Connor (1822-54), a bookkeeper for Byrne's
business operations in New Orleans. The town of Lamar ceased to
exist by 1915 and the cemetery was neglected until the 1940s when
it was restored through efforts by the family of John Henry Kroeger,
Jr. (d. 1944). (1981)
Incise in base: Donated by the Lamar Woman's Club
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The
tombstone of Cattleman Patrick O'Conner
Photo Courtesy Ken
Rudine |
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The
grave of Lydia Ann Hull Wells and James Babbage Wells, Sr., parents
of Jim Wells, Jr., lawyer for the King Ranch Interests and namesake
of Jim Wells County
Photo Courtesy Ken
Rudine |
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Lamar
Cemetery gate and tower
Photo Courtesy Ken
Rudine |
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A
view showing the unique bell tower
Photo Courtesy Ken
Rudine |
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The
1936 Centennial Marker
Photo Courtesy Ken
Rudine |
Centennial
Marker Text
Site of the
Town of Lamar
Named for Mirabeau
B. Lamar 1798-1859, President of the Republic of Texas 1838-1841.
Established in 1838; made a port of entry in 1839. Sacked by Union
troops Feb. 11, 1864. Survived until 1914 but never flourished. |
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Lamar, Texas
Forum
Subject: Jim
Wells, Lamar County
You incorrectly noted that James B. Wells, whose gravestone is pictured
on the Lamar, TX page, was the namesake of Jim Wells County, TX and
an attorney who represented the King Ranch. It was, in fact, James
B. Wells, Jr., who represented the King Ranch and after whom the county
was named. The gravestones on the website are his parents', Lydia
Ann Hull Wells and James Babbage Wells, Sr. (my great-great grandparents).
Thanks, Brian P. Heard, Bee County, February 21, 2008 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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