The City by the Sea
Transcription
The City by the Sea
“The City by the Sea” Beaches, Bays, Boats, Birds, & Business For more information on events and living or vacationing in Palacios, call: 361-972-2615 or 800-611-4567 or visit our web site: www.palacioschamber.com www.palacioschamber.com Palacios Visitors Guide Utilities Numbers to Know Water/sewer, Garbage: City of Palacios Utility Billing Department 361-972-3605 Electricity: Central Power & Light 866-322-5563 AEP 877-373-4858 Jackson Electric Coop 361-782-2423 Natural Gas: CenterPoint Retail Coop 800-427-7142 Television: Cable TV 866-532-3920 Coastal Media Solutions 361-972-3920 Verizon 800-483-4400 S Palacios Municipal Court 361-972-2583 Police Department 361-972-3112 Palacios Airport 361-972-2766 911 Matagorda Sheriff’s Dept. 979-245-5526 Hospital: PCMC 361-972-2511 Palacios EMS 361-972-6589 First Choice Power 866-469-2464 Telephone: Emergencies Palacios Volunteer Fire Dept. 361-972-2121 Useful Info: Palacios Chamber Pres: Judith Chavez 420 Main St. Palacios, TX 77465 361-972-2615 Palacios Public Library 326 Main Street 361-972-3234 Palacios Taxi 361-972-2197 Palacios Recreation Assoc. 361-972-2387 City of Palacios Economic Dev. Corp. 361-972-3729 Mat. Co. Nav. Dist. #1 Harbor Master Office 361-972-5556 Mat. Co. (Pal.) Seawall Com. 361-972-5012 Palacios Housing Authority 361-972-3721 Texas Marine Specialist 361-972-3828 Texas Marine Ed. Center 361-972-3774 Texas Marine Center College 361-972-2442 Newspaper Palacios Beacon 361-972-3009 Friends of Elder Citizens 361-972-2715 Fraternal Order of Eagles 361-972-3402 Palacios Murals top by the Chamber of Commerce office and pick up your guide on Palacios Murals while visiting Palacios. The History and Heritage of Palacios seen in the “Murals of Palacios” as depicted by renown artist, Dayton Wodrich. There are seven murals, each depicting various times and events in Palacios history. The LaSalle Shipwreck and the famous French explorer to Marsh Menagerie, farming and ranching, the seafood industry, early 1900’s to Palacios own cultural heritage. Front page photo by: Linda Parker (as are most photos in visitors guide). Many articles written by: Peggy Hafernick. Palacios Visitors Guide Palacios Hospitality P alacios’ famous hospitality offers visitors a variety of comfortable, affordable and charming lodging options. Choices include five RV parks, three marinas, numerous self-catering vacation homes, three bed and breakfasts, a motel and a historical hotel. All accommodations are conveniently located to enjoy local shopping opportunities, great fishing, a stroll along the seawall or a fresh cup of coffee on Main Street. Many offer striking water views, lovely sunsets, mystical moon reflections and fresh coastal air anytime of the year. Several occupy fascinating historic buildings which beckons one to a slower pace and a simpler time. All offer friendly service by gracious hosts all too happy to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Come stay a while! www.palacioschamber.com P.O. Box 250 Granbury, Texas 76048 Toll Free: (877) 232-3624 www.qualityprintingcheap.com About: This book is published by Color Visual Concepts, Inc. and distributed through the Palacios Chamber of Commerce. For advertising information or questions about this book, please contact us at 877-232-3624 or e-mail to [email protected] All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher. We are not responsible for errors and omissions. Please notify us of corrections for next edition. Color Visual Concepts, Inc.© 2009 Palacios Visitors Guide History of Palacios F photo by: Linda Parker ounded in 1909 on a secluded stretch of the Texas Gulf Coast, Palacios is bordered on the east and south by Tres Palacios Bay, which opens into Matagorda Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Tres Palacios is Spanish for “three palaces.” Legend has it that both the town and the bay were named after a mirage of royal proportions seen by Spanish sailors over 300 years ago. Well, that’s a colorful story; however, the bay was actually named after Jose Felix Trespalacios, Mexican governor of the area when Stephen F. Austin established his colony back in the 1800s. Eventually the town became known as Palacios and pronunciation was Americanized to “Puh-LASH-uhs” rather than the proper Spanish Pa-las-ee-ohs. A little more history: Palacios boomed during World War II with Camp Hulen—an Army base where thousands of troops trained before shipping out to foreign battlefields. The camp’s population reached its high point of 15,000 during the war. Today, the population of the town is just over 5,000 people. The area’s roots actually date back to 1685 when French explorer LaSalle sailed into Matagorda Bay on his famous expedition and founded nearby Fort St. Louis. Each summer Palacios re-enacts the historic event, with costumed citizens taking the parts of LaSalle and his crew landing on the shores of East Bay. The Port of Palacios covers more than 600 acres of shoreline property. The harbor is home port for more than 300 commercial shrimp boats, as well as commercial boats from other ports in the Gulf of Mexico. The Marine Fisheries Report for 2002 shows that the Palacios shrimp harvest was 15.1 million pounds. Not surprising, the Port of Palacios is known as the “Shrimp Capital of Texas.” www.palacioschamber.com photo by: Linda Parker photo by: Linda Parker Texas cattle baron Shanghai Pierce once owned the land where Palacios is today. In 1901 The Texas Rice Development bought the land from Pierce Development Company. They then sold the town site to their own subsidiary—The Palacios City Town—in 1902. From the beginning, Palacios’ developers saw it as a coastal resort. For that reason, the two biggest construction projects in those early years were the Luther Hotel that is still in operation today and an events pavilion overlooking the bay. The present-day Palacios Pavilion, as I’m sure all of the local people know, offers a spectacular setting from which to watch both the sunrise and sunset over the waters of Tres Palacios Bay, The bay, I learned, is a popular staging area for various community events throughout the year. Small Town, Big Museum N ot everyone realizes that the objects and specimens they see when they visit a museum exhibition are just a fraction of the entire museum collection. Nearly all museums keep and care for many items that the average person rarely has the opportunity to see. The Palacios Area Historical Association (PAHA) Museum is no exception. Collections include thousands of objects from Palacios and its vicinity. One of the most rewarding displays centers on the French Explorer La Salle’s voyage to America in 1686. Some 300 years later a ship lost in that expedition was discovered in Matagorda Bay. Recovery of the shipwreck is considered one of the great archeological efforts of the latter half of the 20th Century. Artifacts from the site are slated to be displayed at the PAHA museum - a truly remarkable time capsule of what life was like in that period. After several years of hard work by volunteers, the new museum building is open to the public. PAHA has been building and gathering items and constructing the facilities to preserve and present them in the proper context. Our aim is to serve as a resource for preservation and education. Visitors, guests and patrons can help us help the Gulf Coast by visiting the museum often and spreading the word about the PAHA museum and what it has to offer. History takes place when today becomes yesterday. As long as there is a tomorrow, the museum will never be finished. Still, we are pleased with its progress so far and we are sure that you will enjoy your visit. Come see us in Palacios. You help history happen. Hours open 10am - 2pm most days. photo: part of Museum collection photo by: Recovery staff For obvious reasons, we cannot manage to put all of it on display in our museum’s spacious new permanent facility located at the corner of Fourth and Commerce Streets. We will be hard-pressed to display more than a fraction of the rich heritage of the Palacios area. It’s a shame too, because collections range from Camp Hulen to agriculture, marine heritage to chronicling our small town charm. We have a lot to show off! Palacios Visitors Guide W elcome to Palacios, Texas ~ where Matagorda Bay, Tres Palacios Bay and beautiful sunsets come together. Palacios is midway between Galveston and Corpus Christi on the Texas coast and is the home port to one of the largest shrimping fleets on the Gulf Coast. The Port of Palacios is located at the mouth of the Palacios Boat Channel on Tres Palacios Bay, an inlet off the larger Matagorda Bay. It is one of the most productive coastal fisheries of the state. The Channel is approximately four miles in length and connects the Port with the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway. The most recent dredging of the Channel in 2007 restored its width to 125 feet and depth to 12 feet. The Port itself covers over 124 acres of shoreline and includes four turning basins with over 12,000 linear feet of dock. Matagorda County Navigation District #1 property also encompasses over 600 additional acres of shoreline property and 300 acres of near shoreline property, all available for development. Other Port properties include two recreational marinas, several shipyards and various retail and wholesale bait and fresh catch businesses. The shipyards haul, dry dock, service, refit and repair vessels ranging from ferries and industrial barges and tugs, to shrimping, fishing and recreational vessels of all sizes. Tugboat, barge and recreational vessels are also manufactured on the Port. If you have any questions please contact: Debbie Morris, CIO (361) 920-6212 Texas State Technical College - Palacios Texas State Technical College has been serving Palacios since 1994. The college offers Diesel Mechanics, Pharmacy Technician and Environmental Health and Safety programs three semesters per year. TSTC averages 70 students per semester for all disciplines. The college serves as an inexpensive vehicle by which students can obtain a quality education that will immediately propel them into the work force earning excellent compensation. The TSTC-Palacios web address is: www.waco.tstc.edu/palacios/. Or call 316-972 3687 for more information. www.palacioschamber.com Motorcyclists rates Palacios among top ten towns along Texas coast Palacios was tapped as the fifth best small town destinations along the Texas Gulf Coast region by motorcyclists in a reader’s choice poll conducted by the magazine, Ride Texas. Highway 35 from Port Aransas, through Palacios and Matagorda County, to Houston was chosen as the No. 1 road to ride in the Gulf Coast Region and the No. 8 roadway for cyclists was FM 521, which runs from Palacios to Brazoria. In addition, the historic Blessing Hotel was named as fifth best among favorite places to stay. Five Mile Bike Route The Palacios bike route is another amenity unique to Palacios. We are the only small town in the area that has such a route. The route features a five mile long ride along Tres Palacios Bay and also connects the Schools, the hospital, the library and the down town area. The route is a favorite for family bicycle outings. Prominent “Bike Route” signs are located on Bay Boulevard, Bay Shore Drive, 4th street, and Perryman. Marked map of the bike route can be found in the Chamber office. Palacios Skateboard Park The Palacios skateboard park, located at Main and Sixth streets is the only free skateboard park in 100 miles. The lighted park is free to the public and contains the following challenging obstacles; a half pipe, a quarter pipe, a raked quarter pipe, picnic table, jump box, Euro Gap, flat wedge, stair wedge, two grind rails, a bank ramp, and a piano bank ramp. The adjacent parking area is an excellent observation point. The landscaped benches at the North end of the park feature a head on view of the center of the half pipe. Pedal Palacios Bike Ride Bikers Welcome! Come tour our country roads with water views. That’s the message of the Palacios Beautification Committee, sponsors of the 1st Annual Pedal Palacios event scheduled for October 10, 2009. Those entering may choose from three courses; 62 miles, 36 miles, or 12 miles. Activities will include a Friday night dinner, and activities for the family on Saturday in Palacios’ beautiful bay front park. The ride will begin at 8 a.m. promptly. Details of the event and entry forms may be obtained at: www.pedalpalacios.org. 10 Palacios Visitors Guide I n the summer of 1987 discussion among community leaders, the Matagorda County Navigation District #1, and the Palacios Independent School District gave rise to the idea of developing a marine education facility which would enhance the academic performance of K12 students and the general public’s understanding and appreciation for the marine and coastal environments. The center creatively capitalizes on the Gulf Coast’s rich bay and estuarine habitat as a natural classroom and laboratory. In doing so the center seeks to meet a specialized set of educational needs for students, teachers, and citizens throughout the state of Texas. The Center’s wetlands include a salt–water marsh, 1 ¼ mile nature trail with an elevated platform, 700’ x 20’ pier, and 2,400 linear feet of bay beach front. The center also has two twelve passenger boats that are used for specimen collection and various water studies. In the past 20 years the Texas State Marine Education Center (formerly known as the Palacios Marine Education Center) has been host to over 150,000 visitors who have participated in lessons that range from “Oysters on the Half Shell” and the “Crab Shuffle Dance” to Measuring Water Quality and Erosion. Students learn about plants, sea life, birds, pollution, history, and many other topics. photo by: Linda Parker photo by: Mary Kathryn Erdelt Texas State Marine Education Center photo by: Linda Parker Many of our local shrimpers, fish farmers, and processing plants have been gracious host to students visiting the marine center offering tours and lessons as an extension to the lessons taught at the marine center. If you would like more information about the Texas State Marine Education Center, please contact the staff at 361-972-3774 or e-mail them at “[email protected]”. The marine center is open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. and by special arrangement. Visitors are welcome to come by for a visit, see the General’s historical home and walk the nature trail. www.palacioschamber.com 11 12 Palacios Visitors Guide www.palacioschamber.com 13 A Historical Architecture number of the homes, churches and buildings of Palacios have been in existence since the early days of Palacios’ founding in 1909. As in many other places around the county, the styles of architecture tended to harken back to the localities and cultures from which the earliest settlers came. Settlers used materials at hand such as pine and cypress to reproduce the stately Greek and Roman columns which cradled the grand porches for which southern homes have become known. It is a testament to the skill of the early builders of these structures that buildings such as the R. J. Hill Building, the McGuire House, the Colorado Baptist Association, The Luther Hotel, St. Mary’s Mission, the Hockey House, the Harriman House and Iglesia Bautista stand proudly today despite the ravages of life on the Texas Gulf Coast. Numerous are the examples of Victorian, Gothic, Greek and Craftsman styles of architecture from twostory homes with magnificent porches attesting to yesteryear and cozy bungalows dotting the bay shore to very business-like buildings once used as dry goods stores, shops and hotels that are still in use today. The stories of these buildings are the stories of the people who built them, lived and worked in them and still, today, cherish their structural soundness, historical significance and charm. PALACIOS COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTER 361.972.2511 311 Green Ave. • Palacios 24 Hr Emergency Room Outpatient Lab • Radiology Physical Therapy PALACIOS MEDICAL CLINIC 361.972.2000 1519 4th St. • Palacios John A Neese, PA-C Dane Simons, MD Medical Director MATAGORDA COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Beaches H Bays H Birds H Business Owen Bludau, Executive Director l 2200 7th Street, Suite 304, Bay City, Texas 77414 [email protected] l 979.245.8913 l www.mcedc.net 14 Palacios Visitors Guide Birding In Palacios E ntering Palacios from the north on Highway 35, turn left on McGlothlin Road or any of the neighborhood roads that go through to East Bayshore, which lines the west side of Tres Palacios Bay. East Bay is home to a variety of ducks and other shore birds in the Fall and Winter. White Pelicans, Mergansers, Loons, Buffleheads, Shovelers, Teal, and other ducks, as well as hundreds of Scaup and Grebes enjoy these waters. The shoreline in town is lined with bayfront parks from The Point Drive In, around the Baptist Encampment, past the Pavilion and the Luther Hotel, and back up to Business Highway 35 and port facilities off Highway 35 to the west past Serendipity RV Park. Brown Pelicans, Cormorants, various herons and cranes, Avocets, Oystercatchers, Godwits, Turnstones, Ibis, Plovers, Curlews, Willetts, and sandpipers can be found here. Trull Marsh, within the City limits, has seen Little Green Herons, Yellowlegs, Blacknecked Stilts, rails, various ducks, Roseate Spoonbills, cranes, as well as Reddish, Night, Great, Little Blue, Tricolor and Great Blue Herons. No shoreline would be complete without its complement of gulls and terns, including Forster’s, Caspian and Royal Terns, and Palacios is no exception.. The ubiquitous Laughing Gull could be called “The Palacios Bird”! In stormy times, the Magnificent Frigatebird soars overhead. Nearby fields hold Scissortail Flycatchers, Meadowlarks, many kinds of hawks, and sparrows, as well as Shrikes, thousands of blackbirds of various kinds, and, in the migrating times, a variety of warblers, wrens, kinglets, orioles, buntings, hummingbirds, plus thousands of geese, ducks, and Sandhill Cranes. Cardinals, Mockingbirds, Blue Jays, owls, and at least four varieties of dove fill the backyards of Palacios. Palacios has ten sites on the Texas Parks and Wildlife “Great Texas Birding www.palacioschamber.com 15 Birding Continues... Trail”, including the only site within a city limits (Trull Marsh). Across Tres Palacios Bay lies Mad Island Marsh Preserve, owned by Texas Nature Conservancy. The annual Christmas Bird Count in this area is centered here, bringing birders from many places to participate. This CBC has placed first in the nation in the last 10 of 11 years, with a species count of around 252. Come and join other birders, as they enjoy the area’s wonderful birds! *(Photos for this article were provided by: Linda N. Parker.) Hunting Being surrounded by so much natural beauty has not escaped the notice of avid hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. Palacios and the surrounding area host some of the best waterfowl, dove and quail hunting around. Agriculture Agriculture of all kinds thrives in the Palacios area and rural living is as much a part of life in Palacios as any other aspect of this coastal paradise. Farming and ranching operations have existed on this part of the Texas coast since the days of Shanghai Pierce and the beginnings of the town of Palacios itself. Fertile soil and temperate climate is to the harvest of crops and cattle on land as the bay is to the harvest of fish and shrimp. Farming in Matagorda county produces $100,000,000 at the ‘farm gate’ each year in rice, cotton, grain sorghum, soy beans, corn and wheat. Additionally, 60,000 head of cattle are produced annually in mostly cow/calf operations in the county. Agriculture in the Palacios area takes a decidedly diversified approach with an aqua-culture industry producing 3000 acres of farm-raised shrimp, catfish and redfish. 16 Palacios Visitors Guide E Palacios Pet Pals stablished in March of 2003, Pet Pals is a grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated to the care of animals. Volunteers help rescue stray, abandoned, neglected or abused animals. These animals are then fostered, spayed/neutered, and adopted to loving homes. In addition, Pet Pals has programs in place to teach responsible pet ownership including providing proper care and nutrition, the importance of having pets spayed/neutered, immunized, and regularly treated for fleas/heartworm. Financial assistance can be provided to help pet owners with spay/neuter expenses or to help with the cost of caring for their animals during difficult financial times. Pet Pals has extended its efforts to control pet over-population by instituting a trap/ spay-neuter/release program for feral cats. The cat’s ear is notched (to indicate it has already been altered) and it is given a rabies shot before being released. Feral cats play an important role in any waterfront town and this program insures that Palacios’ feral cat population is both healthy and controlled. All shelter, medical, and program costs are funded through public donation, fundAll animals need a good home. Will you help? raisers, foundation grants, and adoption fees. Because Pet Pals is run exclusively by volunteers, 100% of funds are allocated to the care/sheltering of the animals or to program funding. Donations are always welcome and can be made by calling 361-972-0100. Porter’s Ace Hardware Lumber and Marine 405 Main Street Palacios, Texas 77465 Phone: (361) 972-5222 Dale Porter Krenek Chiropractic Massage Therapy u Winter Texas Friendly 361-972-1201 • 319 Main Street www.palacioschamber.com 17 Locating Shrimp, Bait, or Guide Services M atagorda Bay is a fisherman's dream come true. The Bay is shallow, which allows for a variety of fishing opportunities. Approximately 95% of the fish are caught in water from 1 to 3 feet deep. Along Palacios' 1.5 mile lighted seawall are several jetties and piers for free fishing. There are also several free boat ramps and a fish cleaning station. With seven miles of shoreline in Palacios you are sure to be able to fish your favorite way, whether it be by boat, kayak, pier fishing or wade fishing. For boat fishing Bay maps are recommended and are available at the most local bait camps and convenience stores. Information can be obtained from local bait camps for the best places to fish and the best bait to use. For a deep sea fishing experience you can contact one of our many local fishing guides for a trip beyond our Matagorda Peninsula. If you are looking for bait in Palacios just look for the flags. Almost all bait camps on the coast fly "bait flags". If you need live shrimp, just look for the white flag; some even have the LIVE SHRIMP written on it. A red flag usually means live finger mullet, but can sometimes mean live mud minnows. For dead bait look for a black flag. And finally, if you are looking for live croaker, look for the bright orange flag. There are several bait camps in Palacios including Grassy Point Bait Camp on East Bayshore Drive, The Bait Shack on Main Street in front of Turning Basin #2 and West End Bait on Turning Basin #3. They all open early and stay late for your convenience as their supply holds up. Others stores such as The Point on 1st & Moore and Third Coast Specialty on 1st & Main can supply fresh frozen shrimp, squid, croaker and crab, in season. Even the local grocery store, Super S Foods on Henderson & 8th, carries frozen shrimp, bait fish and a variety of worms. All three even have a great supply of rods, reels, tackle and all the gear you need on your fishing trip. Stores that sell fishing license are: Super S, Foods, The Point, and the Palacios Lumber Yard. Palacios is home to several annual fishing tournaments. For more information visit: http://www.palacioschamber.com/ 18 Palacios Visitors Guide Fishing Guides: (361) 485-0420 Office (361) 920-2825 Cell e-mail: [email protected] Palacios Guide Service: website: www.palaciosguideservice.com Fun Fishin' Charters from the City by the Sea Capt. Aaron Wollam Capt. Hank Huitt 979-240-8204 979-241-8443 email: [email protected] email: [email protected] Redfish, Trout, Flounder, Trippletail Sexton's Guide Service Capt Ray Sexton Home 979-245-7557 or Cell 979-240-8246 Email [email protected] Capt. "Thiggy's" Guide Service 126 Trout St. Palacios, Tx. 77465 Call Capt. David Thigpen 361-781-2478 E-mail: [email protected] photo by: All Seasons Guide Service All Seasons Guide Service Want to Buy Seafood? Shrimp: Oysters: - Anchor Seafood 972-2974 - Gold Coast Seafood 972-3713 (when boat is unloading) Bay Shrimp (Head on) (When boat is unloading) Fish: - Domino Seafood 972-3117 - Kims Seafood 972-5940 - Gold Coast Seafood 972-3713 - WW Dock 972-5012 - Bowers Fish 972-2414 - Texas Aquaculture Coop 979-843-5805 Markham (Fileted, breaded, frozen, etc.) Pond Tails - Bowers Shrimp 972-2414 (May also have breaded shrimp) Bulk Shrimp - Lighthouse Seafood 972-1231 (Graded and packed in 5# frozen water) Shrimp: Table & Bait - Shrimp Shack Lagasse 972-1466 - West End Bait: - - Grassy Point Lillie Machech Newson / Margerus John Brady between 4 - 7:30 www.palacioschamber.com 19 D Dining in Palacios ining in Palacios is as much an adventure as exploring this charming coastal town with a host of menus to satisfy your palate. Outrigger Grill specializes in fresh seafood cooked anyway you like, lip smacking Texas barbecue and a delicious variety of burgers, baskets and appetizers. American-style breakfasts and fresh coffee are a special eatingout treat for locals and weekenders on Fridays and Saturdays. Baytown Seafood is another local favorite for scrumptious seafood, steaks, burgers and oriental fare. For local Mexican flair served with their own distinct flavors, Palacios Mexican Restaurant (a.k.a. PMR) and Los Cucos Mexican Restaurant offer authentic Tex-Mex favorites, steaks and seafood. Fried ice cream or sopapillas are mouth-watering dessert offerings at both restaurants. Tran’s Restaurant offers the best in Asian cuisine influenced by the rich Vietnamese culture of our diverse town. This family-owned and operated restaurant is a hometown favorite. For your early morning cravings, you just can’t beat the many breakfast choices provided by Matamoros Taco House, The Donut Palace, Maricela’s and Janie’s Snack Bar. Are you too busy to stop for long? Sonic Drive-In, Dairy Queen, Subway and Simple Simon’s Pizza offer all your favorite on-the-go foods with a vast array of drinks and ice cream! 22 Palacios Visitors Guide Play Golf by the Bay T urtle Creek Golf Course, formerly Palacios Municipal Golf Course, is a nine hole public golf course located next to the Palacios Golf Association and is open to the public seven days a week. The course has three men’s tees with the gold tees playing to length of 6610 yards, par 72, (72.2 course rating) and a combination of blue & white tees playing to a length of 6275 yards, par 72, (70.0 course rating). The women’s red tees play to a length of 5300 yards, par 72. The course features a view of Turtle Bay and has water, in play, on every hole. The Association operates a Club House / Pro Shop providing supplies and non-alcohol refreshments. It is allowable to bring your own alcohol refreshments on the premises and in the Club House. The course has very reasonable green fees and an ample number of rent carts are available. The Association also offers yearly memberships and rental facilities are available to store your personal carts at the course. The Course and Club House can be rented for charity, fund-raiser, and corporate events including the reserving of the rental carts throughout the year. Memberships for “winter Texans” are also available. www.palacioschamber.com 23 CITY OF PALACIOS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Phone: (361) 972-3729 Fax: (361) 972-5258 P.O. Box 877 Palacios, Texas 77465-0877 Website: http://www.palacios.org • Email: [email protected] PALACIOS HOUSING SOURCE We specialize in corporate housing for South Texas Project (STP), White Stallion Clean Coal, Formosa Plastics, and Beachside Development. Available properties – short term or long term rentals: CASA VERDE: One bedroom apartments available in quaint 1920 four square featuring hardwood floors, new appliances, onsite washer/ dryer, backyard shaded by mature pecan trees, private entrances. Charm of yesteryear with modern conveniences such as high speed wireless internet and full cable package. Tastefully furnished. Walking distance to bay, seawall, shopping, restaurants, several public fishing piers and boat launch. BAYVIEW TOWNHOMES: Townhome living featuring two bedroom, two bath units, newly updated and remodeled. Nicest in town! All units offer private back patios. Many units feature new porcelain tile, carpet, appliances, washer/ dryer, bay view. Located next door to a city park. THE OASIS: Fully furnished, 3,200 sq. ft. historic building converted to open space living concept with room for up to 10. Down town. Beautiful stone, tile, and stained concrete throughout. Granite kitchen w/ two sinks and two stoves for big meal preparations. Very short stroll to restaurants, shopping and historic Palacios landmarks such as the museum, the Pavilion, the seawall, bay and the Luther Hotel. www.palacioshousingsource.com Starting at $250/week. Please call for specific rates and availability. For Oasis call Wayne @ 832-661-4042 • For Casa Verde call Paul @ 512-751-8866 For Bayview Townhomes call Paul or Wayne or visit us online at palacioshousingsource.com 24 Palacios Visitors Guide Palacios Recycle Center Hours: Mon.: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Tues.: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Wed.: Closed Thurs. & Fri.: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Sat.: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. P 1305 Johnson Road Palacios, Texas Phone: 361-972-0783 alacios is proud to offer it’s community a user-friendly and, Green center for recycling. The center is dedicated to keeping Palacios beautiful by collecting items such as aluminum cans, paper, plastics (PETE#1 clear and colored soda bottles, HDPE#2 translucent milk, water bottles/jugs, and HDP#2 color plastic bottles), tires, and some appliances. Tires and appliances will incur small fees. Call the number provided or visit the center during it’s hours of operation for more details. P alacios Municipal Airport. We are located just three miles from the city of Palacios, Texas. We have three runways each 5001 X 150 ft. Runway 13-31 has runway lights and end identifier lights. We are a self-serve facility with Av-Gas, free ramp parking up to ten days, public pilot lounge with restrooms, and local phone service. More information, such as fuel prices, can be found at: globalair.com or airnav.com. Emails can be sent to the airport manager at: [email protected]. Live person at 361972-0783 or 361-972-3605. T he Palacios Library is located at 326 Main St. in Palacios. The phone number is 361-972-3234 and the Fax number is 361-972-2142. Twenty women organized it on June 15, 1910. The library has a reading club program, after school programs for kids, and high speed internet services anyone can use. Closed Sunday. Open hours Monday through Sat.: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Community-owned Hospital www.palacioschamber.com 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday Friday Saturday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. P alacios Community Medical Center (PCMC) is indeed a community-owned hospital. The hospital first opened in 1961 as Wagner General Hospital. It was renamed Palacios Community Medical Center in 2002. The board of directors of both the Foundation and the hospital are from Palacios and the surrounding area, and both administrators are long-time Palacios residents. The hospital is a 17-bed acute care hospital with Outpatient/Inpatient Laboratory, Radiology, Physical Therapy and InHouse Pharmacy. It also offers 24-hour Emergency Room Service. 25 26 Palacios Visitors Guide www.palacioschamber.com 27 28 Palacios Visitors Guide Annual Events for more information contact Chamber at: 361-972-2615 January: Deutschburg Community Seafood Fundraiser (last Sat.) 4H & FFA Auction & BBQ February: Valentine Parade & Ball 4H & FFA BBQ Fundraiser Palacios Chamber Banquet Winter Texan Chili Supper March: Market Days (2nd Weekend) Museum Soup & Salad April: Trail Riders Annual Ride & Dance (Sat. after Easter) Market Days (2nd Weekend) May: Great Texas Music Festival (1st Weekend) Boys and Girls Cinco de Mayo Celebration Collegeport Day Celebration Market Days (2nd Weekend) June: Market Days (2nd Weekend) July: Lions Club July 4th Celebration LaSalle Landing Re-enactment Market Days (2nd Weekend) August: Shrimp-o-Ree Festival (1st Weekend) Family Fishing Tournament (2nd Weekend) Market Days (2nd Weekend) Cannonball Run Youth Regatta (TSA) September: Museum Annual Concert (Labor Day Weekend) Market Days (2nd Weekend) October: Palacios Bay Fest & Motorcycle Rally Market Days (2nd Weekend) Harvest Moon Dinner & Dance Pedal Palacios Bike Ride (2nd Weekend) November: Market Days (2nd Weekend) Rotary’s Miss Palacios Pageant December: Texas Fishermen’s Seafood Festival (1st Weekend) Christmas on Main Street Seaside Holiday www.palacioschamber.com 29 Palacios Church Directory Agape Family Outreach 1811 Newsom Boulevard Pastor: Eric Young 361-972-0800 Asamblea Apostolica Dela Fe En Cristo Jesus 710 8th Street Pastor: Eddie Martinez 361-972-2419 Bible Baptist Fellowship 451 Commerce Street Pastor: Richard Alamia 361-972-6171 Church of Christ 6th Street & Rorem Pastor: Jose Samudio 361-972-2132 Church of God of Prophecy 508 4th Street Pastor: Lloyd Rodriguez 361-972-6550 Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints 361-972-1606 First United Pentecostal Church 525 Morton Avenue Pastor: Ladislado & Bobbie Carrera House of God Second Presbyterian 9th Street & Morton Avenue 361-972-5254 The Living Word Church Labor of Love Ministries 1008 5th Street Pastor: Danny G. Perez 361-972-2849 Trinity Baptist 2nd Street & Rorem Avenue Pastor: Louis Rush 361-972-3139 Our Redeemer Lutheran LCMS 4th Street & Rorem Avenue Pastor: Robert LeBlanc 361-972-3852 Pilgrim Rose Baptist 9th Street & Rorem Avenue Pastor: LeRoy Monroe 361-972-6482 First Baptist Church 202 Main Street Pastor: Zach Nicholson 361-972-5486 Primera Iglesia Bautista 4th Street & Morton Avenue Pastor: Juan Aguilera 361-972-5542 First Presbyterian 3rd Street & Morton Ave. Pastors: Andy & Janell Blair 361-972-2124 Solid Rock Fellowship 1800 1st Street 361-972-3675 First United Methodist 3rd Street & Lucas Ave. Pastor: June White 361-972-3013 30 St. John’s Episcopal 3rd Street & Main Street Lay Vicar: Cynthia Tobola 361-972-2744 St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church 1004 Magnusson Avenue Pastor: Charles Dwomah 361-972-2446 12th St. & Henderson Ave. Pastor: Tony Flores 361-972-2352 361-972-2955 West Palacios Church Of God of Prophecy 808 9th Street Pastor: Roosevelt Ellis 361-972-6262 The Legend of the Sand Dollar There’s a lovely little legend that I would like to tell, of the birth and death of Jesus, found in this lowly shell. If you examine closely, you’ll see that you find here, four nail holes and a fifth one, made by a Roman’s spear. On one side the Easter lily, its center is the star, that appeared unto the shepherds and led them from afar. The Christmas Poinsettia etched on the other side, reminds us of His birthday, our happy Christmastide. Now break the center open, and here you will release, the five white doves awaiting, to spread Good Will and Peace. This simple little symbol, Christ left for you and me, to help us spread His Gospel, through all Eternity. Author Unknown Palacios Visitors Guide Palacios Chamber of Commerce Members Auto Palacios Auto & Towing P O Box 760 Palacios77465 361-972-5923 [email protected] Palacios Autoworld 117 Henderson Palacios 77465 362-972-3963 Premiere Accessories 1109 Henderson Palacios77465 361-972-6357 218-0681 [email protected] Prime Parts Supply 709 Henderson Palacios77465 361-972-2565 Banks/Credit Unions Baycel Federal Credit Union 2900 Hamman Rd Palacios 77465 361-972-5385 [email protected] City State Bank of Palacios P O Box 1130 Palacios77465 361-972-2585 [email protected] First State Bank-Louise/Blessing P O Box 457 Blessing77419 361-588-7777 [email protected] Prosperity Bank 600 Henderson Palacios77465 361-972-5481 [email protected] www.palacioschamber.com Well Fargo Bank 1802 7th Street Bay City 77414 wellsfargo.com Barge Building Tres Palacios Marine, LP P O Box 650 Palacios77465 361-972-3097 [email protected] Beauty Shops Cut-N-Curl 400 Henderson #1 Palacios77465 361-972-3905 [email protected] Builders/Developers Chipman Construction, LTD 312 Henderson Palacios77465 361-972-0123 [email protected] Mosier Services 304 Elizabeth Palacios77465 361-550-1937 [email protected] Car Wash Shark Wash 543 Wilbur Street El Campo 77437 961-972-9274 [email protected] Diving Services Don’s Diving Services 1111 4th Street Palacios77465 361-972-2177 [email protected] 31 Encampments Foundations Educational Trull Foundation 404 4th Street Palacios 77465 361-972-5241 [email protected] Texas Baptist Encampment P O Box 1265 Palacios 77465 361-972-2717 [email protected] Palacios ISD 1209 Twelfth Street Palacios 77465 361-972-5491 [email protected] Palacios Library Inc. 326 Main Street Palacios77465 361-972-3234 [email protected] Literacy Powerline 501 E. Bayshore Drive Palacios77465 361-972-1066 [email protected] Fish/Shrimp etc. Bowers Shrimp 24781 5H 35-5 Palacios77465 361-972-2414 [email protected] Gold Coast Seafood 116 11th Street Palacios77465 361-972-3713 [email protected] Lonestar Aqua Farms 1014 CR 477 Palacios77465 361-972-3240 [email protected] 32 Palacios Chamber Foundation 420 Main Street Palacios 77465 361-972-2615 Groups/Organizations American Red Cross 2200 7th Street Bay City 77414 [email protected] Fraternal Order of Eagles #3821 P O Box 920 Palacios 77465 361-972-3402 Palacios Economic Development Corp P O Box 877 Palacios 77465 361-972-3729 [email protected] Matagorda Co. Navigation District #1 P O Box 551 Palacios77465 361-972-5556 [email protected] Palacios Area Fund Communities 457 Commerce Palacios77465 361-972-3960 [email protected] Palacios Area Historical Assoc. P O Box 11 Palacios77465 361-972-1148 [email protected] Palacios Artists Colony.org 306 Moore Palacios 77465 361-235-2191 Palacios Visitors Guide Palacios Golf Association P O Box 959 Palacios 77465 361-972-5947 [email protected] Guides All Seasons Guide Service Capt. Mike Powell 5639 FM 1686 Victoria 77905 361-576-5064 phone 361-485-0420 office 361-920-2825 cell www.allseasonsguideservice.com Palacios Guide Service 319 E. Bay Shore Drive Palacios 77465 361-972-1563 [email protected] Capt. “Thiggy’s” Guide Service 126 Trout St. Palacios 77465 Call Capt. David Thigpen 361-781-2478 E-mail: [email protected] Sexton’s Guide Service Capt Ray Sexton Home 979-245-7557 or Cell 979-240-8246 Email [email protected] Health/Medical/Dental Angels Care Home Health 1700 Merlin St Suite B Bay City 77414 979-244-0600 [email protected] Matagorda Co. Hospital District 1115 Ave G Palacios77465 979-245-6383 [email protected] Palacios Chiropractic 319 Main Street Palacios77465 361-972-1201 [email protected] www.palacioschamber.com Palacios Community Medical Center 311 Green Palacios77465 361-972-2511 [email protected] Palacios Dental Center 304 4th Street Palacios77465 361-972-2222 [email protected] Palacios Health Care Center 1414 4th Street Palacios77465 361-972-2542 [email protected] The Legacy Campus 720 12th Street Bay City 77414 979-245-7891 [email protected] Helicopters Rotorcraft Leasing Co., LLC 430 N. Eola Road Broussard, LA 70518 337-837-6038 [email protected] Insurance All State Insurance 3120 Ave. F Bay City 77414 979-244-4671 [email protected] Campbell Huitt Insurance 328 Commerce Palacios77465 361-972-2551 [email protected] Jack Hollister Insurance 454B Main Street Palacios77465 361-972-1098 33 SPJST Life Insurance 915 Moore Palacios77465 361-972-2208 [email protected] Internet Bay City Cablevision Bay City 77414 979-543-6858 Testengeer Internet Service 361-573-1102 Investments Edward Jones 317 Commerce 361-972-2549 [email protected] Laundry Sixth Street Coin Laundry 311 E. University Ave. Palacios77465 361-972-9274 [email protected] Lodging Bay Breeze Palacios 15606 Wandering Friendswood 77546 713-828-4063 [email protected] Bay Prairie Lodge P O Box 87 Midfield 77458 361-588-6565 [email protected] The Crab Trap 120 Colby Lane #26 Azle 76020 817-371-1476 [email protected] 34 Delux Inn Motel 1505 1st Street Palacios77465 361-972-2547 [email protected] Emmott Properties 8776 Emmott Road 1300 Post Oak Suite 2000 Houston 77056 713-986-7000 [email protected] Full Stringer Lodge P O Box 297 Matagorda 77457 979-863-1143 [email protected] The Luther Hotel 408 S. Bay Blvd Palacios77465 361-972-2312 Main Bed & Breakfast Inn 208 Main Street Palacios77465 361-972-3408 [email protected] Palm View Vacation Rentals 101 Vietnam Palacios77465 361-655-7036 [email protected] Peaceful Pelican, The 501 E. Bayshore Drive Palacios77465 361-972-1066 [email protected] Pelican House 10498 Kratz Rd Brenham 77833 979-836-0834 [email protected] Topside Lodging 1801 Petersen Palacios77465 361-972-0495 [email protected] Palacios Visitors Guide Nature The Nature Conservancy P O Box 163 Collegeport 77428 361-972-2559 [email protected] Newspaper Palacios Beacon P O Box 817 Palacios77465 361-972-3009 [email protected] Officials Becky Denn (District Clerk) Bay City 77414 979-245-2237 [email protected] Charles Winfield (City Manager) 361-972-3605 [email protected] Craig Estlinbaum (District Judge) Bay City 77414 979-244-7635 [email protected] Nate McDonald (County Judge) Bay City 77414 979-245-0081 [email protected] Real Estate Bay Real Estate P O Box 382 Palacios77465 361-972-2616 [email protected] Full Stringer Realty P.O. Box 297 Palacios77465 979-240-6660 [email protected] www.palacioschamber.com John Martin Real Estate 234 El Campo Beach RD Palacios77465 713-854-8697 [email protected] REMAX Coastal Properties 215 5th Street Palacios77465 361-972-6636 [email protected] Pierce Real Estate 438 Main Street Palacios77465 361-972-0810 [email protected] Restaurants Baytown Seafood 1001 Henderson Palacios77465 361-972-1020 [email protected] Dairy Queen of Palacios 3606 Ave. F Palacios77465 979-245-9269 Outrigger Grill 515 Commerce Palacios77465 361-972-1479 [email protected] www.outriggergrill.com Palacios Mexican Restaurant 511 Main Street Palacios77465 361-972-2766 Sonic Drive-in of Palacios 317 Henderson Palacios77465 361-972-6281 [email protected] Subway 307 Henderson Palacios77465 361-972-2273 [email protected] 35 Trans Restaurant 1009 Henderson Palacios77465 361-972-1008 Sears of Bay City 3120 Ave. F Bay City 77414 979-245-3226 [email protected] Retail Somewhere In The Sun 414 Main Street Palacios77465 361-972-5453 [email protected] ATD Specialty Inc. P O Box 1285 Palacios77465 361-972-2122 [email protected] Claxton’s Flower Basket 308 5th Street Palacios77465 361-972-3534 Etched In Time P O Box 1003 Palacios77465 361-972-5587 [email protected] Old Main Bookstore 438 Main Street Palacios77465 361-972-1438 [email protected] Mid Coastal Lumber, LTD. 204 Henderson Palacios77465 361-972-5503 [email protected] Palacios Antiques & Resale 501 1st Street Palacios77465 361-972-1380 [email protected] Third Coast Specialty Shoppe 208 1st Street Palacios77465 361-972-3284 [email protected] RV Parks Bayside RV Park 100 Margerum Blvd. Palacios77465 361-972-3400 [email protected] Serendipity Resort 1001 Main Street Palacios77465 361-972-5454 [email protected] Pier Drive Inn RV Park 208 1st Street Palacios77465 361-972-3284 [email protected] Services Porter’s Ace Hardware 405 Main Street Palacios77465 361-972-5222 [email protected] Best Institute P O Box 1086 Palacios77465 361-972-3575 [email protected] Palacios House of Flowers 416 Main Street Palacios77465 361-972-2517 [email protected] Butch Bowers (Legal) P O Drawer 799 Palacios77465 361-972-2545 [email protected] 36 Palacios Visitors Guide Cross Roads Industries, Inc P O Box 1169 Tomball77377 281-890-9995 [email protected] DJ Designs 1756 CR 2291 Cleveland 77327 281-659-0625 [email protected] djdesignsconstruction.com First Baptist Church 202 Main Street Palacios77465 361-972-5486 [email protected] Kovar AC & Heating, LLC 1900 Ave G Bay City 77414 979-245-4816 [email protected] Nature Pixs (Photos, Business Cards, etc.) 361-972-0701 [email protected] Palacios Abstract & Title 1012 1st Street Palacios77465 361-972-9996 [email protected] Palacios Artists Colony.org 306 Moore Palacios 77465 361-235-2191 Palacios Funeral Home (Taylor Bros) Box 669 Bay City 77404 361-972-2012 [email protected] Main Office Works 414 Main Street Palacios 77465 361-972-5453 [email protected] www.palacioschamber.com Premiere Accessories 1109 Henderson Palacios77465 361-218-0681 [email protected] St. John’s Episcopal Church P O Box 895 Palacios77465 361-972-2744 [email protected] Shelmark Engineering, LLC 8419 Emmott F. Lowry #120 Texas City 77591 409-935-9986 [email protected] The Work Force Solutions 3501 Ave F. Bay City 77414 979-245-4808 [email protected] Supermarkets Super S Foods #313 702 Henderson Palacios77465 361-972-3049 [email protected] Television Bay City Cablevision 979-543-6858 Utilities AEP 2901 W. Mockingbird Victoria77904 361-574-2236 [email protected] Bay City Cablevision 2404 Golden Ave. Bay City 77414 979-543-6858 [email protected] 37 Center Point Energy P.O. Box 1218 Victoria 77802 361-484-4165 [email protected] Coastal Alternative Energy LLC P O Box 632 Palacios77465 832-444-2042 [email protected] ISEI P.O. Box 1508 Alvin 77512 1-800-449-1599 www.iesi.com Jackson Electric Cooperative, Inc P O Box 1189 Edna 77957 361-782-7193 [email protected] STP Nuclear Operating Co. P O Box 289 Wadsworth 77483 361-972-7217 [email protected] U. S. Energy Savings Cooperataive 12253 Svobock Rd Wallis 77485 979-533-4681 [email protected] Other Businesses Sharky’s Corner Tran’s Fiberglass Boat Diamond Mart Henderson Drive In The Point Family Dollar Dollar General Zimco Marine Inc Hair Gallery Hair It Is Styles By Rosie Speedy Stop Palacios Drive In Prime Parts Supply Eva’s Beauty Shop Nieto’s Paint & Body Main Car Wash Shark Wash Rainbow Land Day Care Palacios Iron & Metal Palacios Chamber of Commerce 420 Main Street Palacios, TX 77465 Phone: 1-800-611-4567 Phone: 361-972-2615 Fax: 361-972-9980 Email: [email protected] www.palacioschamber.com 38 Palacios Visitors Guide www.palacioschamber.com 39