Rockport Cemetery
2040 Tule Park Dr, Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) MARKER TEXT This cemetery has served the citizens of Rockport and Fulton for over a century. The oldest marked grave is that of Emma Fulton (d. 1876), granddaughter of George Ware Fulton, who was instrumental in the development of the area and was interred in the cemetery in 1893. A large number of burials took place here in 1918, the year of a devastating influenza epidemic. The cemetery contains the graves of veterans of the Texas Revolution, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. The Rockport Cemetery Association maintains the historic graveyard. (1988).
Site of Heldenfels Shipyard
1800 S. Church Street (SH 70), Rockport, Tx 78382 (see map) MARKER TEXT Shipping industries flourished on the Rockport waterfront by the 1880s. Heldenfels Shipyard was established here on 12.9 acres in October 1917. Four 281-foot wooden cargo vessels were to be built for military use in World War I; the “Baychester” was launched on July 31, 1919, and the “Zuniga” on September 9, 1919. At the height of construction, over 900 men were employed at the shipyard. The need for ships fell as the war ended. Despite hurricane damage to the shipyard on September 14, 1919, the “Jasper” and the “Manchester” were completed as barges in 1920, ending this vital war contract. (1996).
Wood-Jackson House
Historical Marker at 701 N. Magnolia, Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) MARKER TEXT Tobias “T. R” Wood purchased lots at a sheriff’s auction in 1910 and built this Queen Anne style house. T.R worked on his father’s cattle ranch located on San Jose Island, When R.R. moved to Victoria to practice law, his brother, Will W. Wood and wife Alpha Kennedy Wood resided in the home. In 1923 the house was purchased by Stephen Ford Jackson and wife Irene Owners of the Jackson seafood company. Their sons, James and Norvell Jackson started a boat building company called Jackson Marine Service and a third business Jackson channel and dock. Features include front, rear and side-facing gables. A semi-wraparound covered porch supported by column and spindle work ornamentation.
Smith-Brundrett House
901 N. Austin Street, Rockport, TX 78382 , West side of N. Austin St. between Orleans and Cedar streets. (see map) MARKER TEXT Built in 1903 in Old Rockport, this Cottage and Craftsman Style House is an early frame Bungalow surrounded by giant oak trees. In 1920, W.H. smith, grandson of early Refugio pioneers, bought this house where he lived with his second wife, their four children and his sister. In 1934, John Frederick Brundrett and his wife, Elizabeth, purchased the house. Fred was a rancher and the family ranched on 8,000 acres on Matagorda Island and later on Port Bay. The Brundrett’s were devout members of the First Presbyterian Church. The Brundrett’s remained in this house for 53 years, until Fred’s death in 1987 at age 99. This home is a symbol of the generations of influence on local history.
Joe & Bertha Harper House
811 N. Live Oak, Rockport, Tx 78382 (see map) MARKER TEXT Built around 1910, this two-story frame Colonial Revival was used as a boarding house for shipyard employees. The home was also used for shelter for 50 refugees during the 1919 hurricane that devastated the coast. In 1920, county judge Joe A. Harper (1881-1928) and his new wife, Bertha Oertling Harper (1888-1978), purchased the home. Judge Harper, a four-term County Judge, was influential in bringing the first coastal highway to the area which spurred development. After Joe’s untimely death in 1928, Bertha and her siblings lived in the home for almost 45 years while she continued her long career as a teacher for primary grades and at the First Baptist Church.
Baldwin-Brundrett House
1028 N. Live Oak, Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) Aransas county judge W.H. Baldwin, who promoted Rockport as a deep water port, lived in this house in the 1890’s. George A. Brundrett, Jr. was a confederate veteran and cattle rancher on 15,000 acres on Matagorda island; His family lived here from 1917- 1942. Brundrett’s second wife, Flavilla, often turned the parlor into a makeshift hospital, and it is said that 200 people took shelter here during the 1919 hurricane. This one story house retains it basic design from the 1880s and exemplifies the queen Anne style adapted to the Texas coast. The house has a front facing gable, hip roof, lace-like corner brackets and it original windows and doors. The only modification has been the enclosure of the back porch.
A.L. Brach House
409 N. Magnolia, Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) Adolph Bracht (1872-1961) was born in Rockport and worked at lumber and grocery stores before establishing his own wholesale and retail grocery in 1899. He was a charter member of the Intracoastal Canal Association and active in the Chamber of Commerce and Sacred Heart Catholic church for many years. He shipped vegetables raised by growers in this area and the Rio Grande Valley. He ran his grocery business until his retirement in 1947. Adolph and his wife Gertrude (Prophet) had nine children. Their prairie-style two-story house (Built c.1898-1902) features lap siding, a low-pitched roof with dormers, wraparound porch with Doric columns and cast stone footings and an asymmetrical facade with bay windows.
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
412 N. Live Oak Street, Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) MARKER TEXT The Rt. Rev. Alexander Gregg, Bishop of the Diocese of Texas, officiated at the dedication of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Rockport on November 30, 1871. Led by lay ministers for much of its early history, St. Peter’s first was located at the corner of Live Oak and Wharf Streets near the railroad depot, where services often were halted due to the noise of arriving and departing trains. Relocated to this site in 1954, St. Peter’s became a self-sustaining parish ten years later. It continues to serve the community with a variety of programs. (1991) State Historical Marker Number: 5078
Aransas County
301 N. Live Oak, Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) Created out of the coastal portion of Refugio County in 1871, Aransas County is the second smallest county in Texas. Within its boundaries are three bays of the Gulf of Mexico – Copano, St. Charles, and Aransas. The area was the site of early Indian inhabitation and Spanish exploration, as well as Anglo colonization efforts of the 1830s and 1840s. Aransas County communities are supported by such industries as fishing, agriculture, offshore oil production, bird watching, and tourism. The county is home to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, created in 1937. (1990)
Bracht House
409 N. Magnolia, Rockport, Tx 78382 (see map) MARKER TEXT Adolph L. Bracht (1872-1961) was born in Rockport and worked at lumber and grocery stores before establishing his own wholesale and retail grocery in 1899. He was a charter member of the Intracoastal Canal Association and active in the Chamber of Commerce and Sacred Heart Catholic Church. For many years he shipped vegetables raised by growers in this area and the Rio Grande Valley. He ran his grocery business until his retirement in 1947. Adolph and his wife Gertrude (Prophet) had nine children. Their Prairie-style two-story house (built c. 1898-1902) features lap siding, a low-pitched hip roof with dormers, wraparound porch with Doric columns and cast stone footings, and an asymmetrical facade with bay window. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark – 2010