Collegeport Article

MOPAC HOUSE AT COLLEGEPORT OFFICIALLY OPENED SATURDAY

Harry Austin Clapp Sees Dream Come True With Community House Completed

Ed. Taulbee Is Toastmaster For Occasion

Harry Austin Clapp and his dreams were rewarded Saturday when Mopac House was dedicated and formally opened to the community of Collegeport. It was a great day in the lives of those who have built the town of Collegeport and a great day for the people of Matagorda County to know that such people who put service of community above self make up this fertile county.

Mopac House was planned, visioned, and materialized through the untiring efforts of the author of "Thoughts," none other than the inimitable Harry Austin Clapp. This thought and deed, none of the many speakers present Saturday at the banquet failed to mention. The name Mopac House comes from Missouri Pacific. The material in the house was donated by the Missouri Pacific railroad when the railroad was abandoned and the tracks to Collegeport removed. Labor was furnished by the relief administration and others who gave of their time and work. The Mopac house has been built to adjoin the library and give to the people of Collegeport a community place suitable for most any occasion. A new reading room adjoins the library, a large banquet room, new and clean, concrete floor is so arranged that dances, entertainments, bridge games, most any sort entertainment can be held.

E. O. Taulbee of Bay City acted as toastmaster.

The banquet, served by the ladies of the city, began at 1 o'clock :

Harry Austin Clapp opened the meeting by asking Rev. Paul Engle of Bay City to deliver thanks that through His help the Mopac House had been completed.

A word of welcome to the more than one hundred present was delivered by Mr. Burton D. Hurd, the founder of Collegeport and a man who believes that this section of the state will some day come true. Mr. Hurd gave a few remarks relative to the history of Collegeport, the depression beginning there immediately following the war, the removal of the railroad, the hotel's abandonment and removal. He paid a great compliment to his friend and fellow townsman, Harry Austin Clapp and stated that he believed the construction of Mopac House would be the upturn in the history of Collegeport.

Mr. Taulbee spoke at length lauding the work of Mr. Clapp and he also introduced the group of Bay City people who were present. The Bay City visitors included Judge Oscar Barber, Mrs. Barber and daughter, Miss Marjorie, Reverend Paul Engle and wife, J. S. Mansfield, Bob Bevers, John Reynolds, Eugene Wilson, G. A. Taylor, J. W. Gartrell, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Hale, Carey Smith. Several from Palacios and Matagorda were also present.

Toastmaster Taulbee, called George Harrison, Jim Gartrell, Ed Baker, Judge Barber, Eugene Wilson, Jack Barnett, S. A. Gillimore of Victoria , Reverend Gillespie of Palacios for talks.

Addresses of welcome and words filled with a spirit of optimism were given by Mrs. Harry Austin Clapp and Mrs. Burton D. Hurd. These ladies who have lived in Collegeport since its beginning, they who have worked for the cultural advancement of the little city, bubbled with pride that a new home was now theirs in which various accomplishments may be attained.

Mr. A. B. Duke, personal representative of Mr. H. R. Stafford of the Missouri Pacific railroad expressed his appreciation at being present and stated that he felt a great pride in that the company he represented had been honored by having the community house named "Mopac" and that they were glad to have donated the material that came from the depot, torn down when the railroad was abandoned.

Mr. R. W. Persons, first county agent in Matagorda County gave many accounts of the county and its people he knew 19 years ago.

Mr. A. D. Jackson of A. & M. College was generous in his praise of this section of the state and felt some day that the great resources of this county would be developed.

The high lights of the meeting came when H. A. Clapp, himself spoke. One could feel that he was walking on air that what he had so long worked for had been accomplished. Mr. Clapp gave credit to the completion of the Mopac House to Mr. G. A. Harrison and he gave sketches of the difficulties that arose before the community house was finally completed. Mr. Clapp read letters from any others he had invited to attend the opening but were unable to be present.

Following the banquet the floor was cleared for a big dance that night to complete the celebration.

Matagorda County Tribune, May, 1935, Harry Austin Clapp Scrapbook 3
 

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