Calhoun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,106. Its county seat is Port Lavaca. The county is named for John Caldwell Calhoun, the seventh vice president of the United States. Calhoun County comprises the Port Lavaca, TX Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Victoria-Port Lavaca, TX Combined Statistical Area.

History

  • Paleo-Indians Hunter-gatherers, and later Comanche, Tonkawa, and Karankawa tribes, first inhabitants.
  • 1685-1690 René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle lands near Powderhorn Lake in Calhoun County. France plants its flag on Texas soil, but departs after only five years.
  • 1689 The future county is explored by Spaniards, including Alonso De León.
  • 1825 Martín De León of Mexico establishes a ranch near the old La Salle fort.
  • 1840 Comanche Indians loot and sack Linnville.
  • 1842-1847 Empresario Henri Castro contracts to bring Alsatian immigrants from France, who use Port Lavaca as a holding site before moving on to settle Castroville in Medina County.
  • 1845 Thousands of German immigrants are stranded at port of disembarkation Indianaola on Matagorda Bay.
  • 1846 Calhoun County is formed from parts of Victoria, Jackson, and Matagorda counties. It is named for then Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee John C. Calhoun. Lavaca was the first county seat. runs regular service from Indianola to New York City. Slave trading peaks at Indianola.
  • 1854 Poles begin to arrive in Indianaola.
  • 1860 County population is 2,642, including 414 slaves.
  • 1862 Union gunboats bombard Port Lavaca.
  • 1875 A hurricane heavily damages Indianola.
  • 1892 The Lutheran community of Olivia is established by Swedes.
  • 1909 Port O’Connor is established. The St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway establishes a terminus at Port O’Connor.
  • 1920 Port Lavaca builds a seawall to protect itself against hurricanes.
  • 1952 Union Carbide opens a plant near Seadrift.
  • 1983 Matagorda Island State Park and Wildlife Management Area is run by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department under an agreement between the United States Department of the Interior and the state of Texas.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (51%) is water. It borders the Gulf of Mexico.

Adjacent counties

  • Jackson County (north)
  • Matagorda County (east)
  • (Gulf of Mexico) (southeast)
  • Aransas County (southwest)
  • Refugio County (west)
  • Victoria County (northwest)

National protected area

  • Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

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Education

All of Calhoun County is served by the Calhoun County Independent School District.

All of the county is in the service area of Victoria College.

Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic School, pre-K through grade 8, has also served the county since 1996.

Transportation

Major highways

  • 20px U.S. Highway 87
  • 20px State Highway 35
  • 20px State Highway 185

Airport

Calhoun County Airport, a general aviation airport, is located in unincorporated Calhoun County northwest of Port Lavaca.

Communities

Cities

  • Point Comfort
  • Port Lavaca (county seat)
  • Seadrift

Census-designated places

  • Alamo Beach
  • Magnolia Beach
  • Port O'Connor

Other unincorporated communities

  • Long Mott
  • Olivia
  • Port Alto
  • Schicke Point

Ghost towns

  • Indianola
  • Kamey
  • Linnville
  • Sixmile

Notable people

  • Augustus Carl Büchel (1813–1864), German-born Confederate officer who died of wounds received at the Battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana.

See also

  • List of museums in the Texas Gulf Coast
  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Calhoun County, Texas
  • Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Calhoun County

References

  • "Calhoun County Profile" from the Texas Association of Counties