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Mopac House |
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Mopac House & Library |
 Mopac House & Library - April, 2008 Courtesy of G. W. Franzen |
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Courtesy of Palacios Area Historical Association
Museum |
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Mopac Depot Pictures Mopac House Pictures |
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The town of Collegeport was founded on
May 25, 1908. It was so named for the
COLLEGE established in the town, and for the proposed PORT that never developed. A group of citizens met to form an organization to
promote the welfare of the town on
April 30, 1909. This organization was
named Collegeport Industrial League. Among its accomplishments:
The local economy failed in 1914, the college (Gulf Coast University of Industrial Arts) closed in 1915 and the proposed port never opened. Continued efforts of the Industrial League to initiate development of businesses failed, but the community finally prospered as an agricultural producer. By the 1930’s all but a handful of the Industrial League’s near 100 original members had either moved away or had died. After securing the gift of the depot from the Railroad for the community, workers dismantled the building and rebuilt it as Mopac House, adjacent to the Collegeport Library.
In January, 1935, the Mopac House Foundation was organized and incorporated (Charter #067306-1, filed April 23, 1935) to accept by gift from the Collegeport Industrial League, Lots 1-12 of Block 105 of the Townsite of Collegeport for the benefit of the people of Collegeport and for the administration of said property for the benefit of the community. This included the newly constructed Mopac House and the Collegeport Library which was operated and under the charge of the Woman’s Club of Collegeport.
There are no salaries paid to officers, and all service is voluntary. Through the years, the Woman’s Club, in association with the Mopac House Foundation has maintained the building, secured insurance and paid utilities through the gifts of residents and friends of the community. The Mopac House is used as a meeting place for civic organizations, a polling place for school, county, state and national elections, and is available for use by the residents of the community, and for community gatherings including the annual homecoming held each year in May.
In the past, it has been used as the public school lunchroom and the Library was utilized by the school children on a regular basis in conjunction with the school. In 1961, Mopac House and the Library were used as a Red Cross kitchen and shelter following the Hurricane Carla disaster that devastated the area. Two families lived there while their homes were rebuilt or repaired.
The Mopac House Foundation has maintained its pledge to serve the community and has administered the property in the best interest of the residents of Collegeport.
On February 2, 1965, the Collegeport Area Volunteer Fire Department was organized. On June 32, 1965, the Mopac House Foundation leased at no cost to the organization, Lot 7, Block 105 on which to build its Fire Station for as long as it is used as such. On September 29, 1992, the Mopac House Foundation leased at no cost to the County of Matagorda, Lot 8, Block 105 on which to construct an addition to the Fire House for as long as it is used as such.
On September 20, 1985, the Mopac House Foundation granted an easement to the General Telephone Company a portion of Lot 1, Block 105 on which to construct an equipment hut to provide improved telephone service to the community, the easement to continue for as long as it is used for such.
In 1997, the Mopac House Foundation initiated a project to place a Pioneer Memorial on the Mopac House grounds in memory of those who settled the area and to record noteworthy events in the community’s history. This project was funded through gifts of residents and friends of the community. This marker was dedicated in May 29, 2004 with a special ceremony on the 96th anniversary of the founding of the town.
The Mopac House and Library are the only historical public buildings left in this small, rural community that connect us with our past. The community center is a local landmark and continues a vital function in our community. Years have taken their toll on the building. Extensive repairs to the floor and sills are needed to keep this building safe and functional. Donors are willing to participate in the restoration of this landmark if we can attain the tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status needed to apply for matching grants available for such community improvement projects.
Recently a site for a proposed nuclear power plant located just south of the Collegeport Community was announced. If this project develops, it will bring an influx of workers and create many jobs for the area--all the more need for a viable and improved community center.
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Mopac House Newspaper Articles Collegeport Gets Christmas Gift H. A. Clapp Gets Valuable Gift More About the Collegeport Depot Mopac House at Collegeport Officially Opened Saturday |
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Copyright 2005 -
Present by Carol Sue Gibbs |
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| This page was created Apr. 26, 2005 |
This page was updated May 6, 2008 |