Matagorda County

Matagorda County Offices

Matagorda County Town List

Matagorda County is located in Texas. Bordering the County to the South is Calhoun County and to the West is Jackson County. Wharton County is located to the north while Brazoria County is to the East.

The county seat is north of the County at 28°54′ north latitude and 95°59′ west longitude. On State Routes 35 and 60, a little over four miles north of the county seat, you’ll find Bay City, the County’s primary City, and administrative center.

Matagorda, which translates to “thick bush,” refers to the coastal canebrakes in Spanish. Within the texas state map, Matagorda County lies to the Southeastern end next to the Gulf Of Mexico.

Matagorda County Geography

Topography

The Colorado River splits the County’s 1,612 square miles of wide-open plains, famous for frequent floods. The majority of the County is flat, except for one spot. A 15-mile stretch of the Colorado River connects the County to deep water near Freeport and Galveston, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Around 70 feet above sea level, you may find numerous hills in the Northern part of the state. For more than 5,000 years, the Matagorda Peninsula has been a single island. Once the peninsula has crossed the Colorado River channel, it is split in two, establishing a barrier surrounding the bay.

Caney Creek, Peach Creek, the Peyton River, Turtle River, Big and Little Boggy Creeks, the Trespalacios River, the Colorado River, and the Little Robbins Slough are just a few of the creeks and rivers that flow through the County.

Broken brown to reddish soils with a clayey to loamy texture are noticeable near the river. A light-colored shallow loam lies on top of the County’s clayey subsoils.

Weather and climate

The hottest month, July, has an average temperature of 44 degrees Fahrenheit in this area, with an extensive temperature range. The growing season usually lasts roughly 295 days a year.

Vegetation and Life

The County’s forests are home to a number of species. Overgrazed sections of the Bay Prairie have sprouted mesquite and prickly pear trees. In addition to bobcats, foxes, and coyotes, you can also find white-tailed deer in the area.

You can find oysters, shrimp, fish, snakes, and ducks in plenty in the area. In addition to the Big Boggy National Wildlife Refuge, the Mad Island Wildlife Management Area, the Runnells Family Mad Island Marsh, and the Nature Conservancy are all located in this area dedicated to wildlife conservation and preservation.

County Offices

Matagorda County comprises several departments that contribute towards its governance and smooth running. To begin with, the county assessor is in charge of the overall taxation matters and voter registration. The person in the seat currently goes by Becky Cook. Her office is open from Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. You can communicate with the office through email at mailto:[email protected] or on the phone at 979-244-7670.

In addition to that, the County Auditor, Kristen Kubecka, oversees all the county financial books and records. She primarily plays the role of a fiscal officer. To reach her office, contact her through telephone at (979)241-0120 or fax at (979)245-4191.

The Matagorda County clerk is currently known as Stephanie Wurtz. Her office is along 7th street in Bay City. To reach out to her office, you can contact her by telephone at (979)244-7680 or fax at (979)244-7688. The official email is [email protected]. 

The head of the Matagorda County Courthouse is Honorable Nate McDonald, the county judge. He also plays the role of the Executive Secretary. His telephone line is (979)244-7605, and through fax, you can contact his office at (979)245-3697.

The Commissioner’s Court

Headed by Judge Nate McDonald, the commissioners’ court includes a Five-member panel with four commissioners representing different districts. The Commissioner’s Court Secretary is Crystal Morones and takes down minutes of proceedings within the court and keeps records.

Precinct 1, located in Bay City, is Edward “Bubba” Cook. His colleague Kent Pollard is Precinct 2 and is in Matagorda. Precinct 3 is Troy Shimek’s office along Highway 35 South in Palacios, and finally, Precinct 4 goes by Charles “Bubba” Frick, located in El Maton.

Places To Visit In Matagorda County

A wildlife refuge in the Matagorda Bay area of Mexico

Relax on the beach, fish from the gulf and river piers, explore beautiful trails, and get a chance to see animals while on vacation. You can find many of the County’s attractions at Matagorda Bay Nature Park. One thousand three hundred acres of unspoiled beaches and coastal marshes are in the park’s boundaries. Explore the Colorado River in a canoe or kayak and take a dip in the ocean afterward. There are many birds to be found in the Gulf Coast portion of the park, including herons, egrets, and many others.

Fishing on 50 Miles of Shoreline

The Colorado River and the Gulf of Mexico provide economic and environmental benefits to Matagorda County, Texas. Book a deep-sea fishing trip to catch prized amberjack, red snapper, kingfish, or shark. For redfish and trout, you can even wade into the ocean to fish. Given the quantity of fish in Matagorda County, it holds various fishing contests annually.

Row to the Gulf of Mexico by riverboat on the Colorado River.

One of the best ways to see Matagorda County’s beauty is from the river. Rent a kayak or canoe to explore the bayous and marshes in the area. Watching alligators and other animals is an excellent way to get some exercise. Join a guided kayaking expedition lead by a local expert and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area

An 18-hole golf course called the Rio Colorado.

Hit the ball along a rolling fairway while keeping a watch out for deer and other wildlife such as hawks and rabbits. An 18-hole course nestled among coastal wetlands and meadows, the Rio Colorado Golf Course has it all. Both novices and pros can enjoy Rio Colorado because of its vast tee box system.

Do you like a more concise version? The Palacios Golf Course, a nine-hole public course located along Tres Palacios Bay, is a must-see.

Learn about the history of Matagorda County, Texas.

Explorers and colonists discovered Matagorda Bay in the late 1860s, led by Robert de La Salle. Matagorda had many exciting events, but La Belle and La Salle’s flagship were tragically lost at sea. The Matagorda County Museum features exhibits about the Karankawa Indians who previously called this area home and were the first settlers to arrive in the region. There’s even a general store and wind-up toys in the Children’s Museum’s recreation of a 1920s Texas village.

You may learn more about Palacios’ history at the Sea Museum in the City. Among the many things to see are the remnants of Camp Hulen and the area’s fishing and agricultural history, and other artifacts from La Belle. It is possible to find a half-scale replica of the La Belle in Palacios’ South Bay Marina.