| |
QUINTANA,
TEXASBrazoria
County, Texas
Gulf Coast
FM 1495 and 723
On the beach at the mouth of the
Brazos
2 miles SE of Freeport
Population: 432 (2000) 513 (1990) |
"Quintana
Founded 1532"
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, July 2007 |
History
in a Seashell
Shortly after Mexico won her independence from Spain, they established a
fort here at the mouth of the Brazos River. It is reportedly named after Mexican
General Andres Quintana.
For a short time 1853-1857 Quintana had its
own post office. They had another in 1891 and it lasted until 1915. Floods and
hurricanes in 1900, 1913, and 1915 finally made them discontinue the postal service.
Quintana was a major port for Austin's Colony and a vacation spot for inland
families to escape the summer heat.
Descriptions of the region by Mary
Austin Holley note that they were entertained with native oysters and imported
champagne, so life wasn't too bad for some folks in Quintana in the 1830s.
During the Civil War, the same strategic location recognized by the Mexicans
prompted the Confederates to construct a fort and obstructions (a dam) to prevent
Union ships from sailing up the Brazos, which was then navigable.
Numerous
industries over the years failed due to economic problems and also because of
damage inflicted by flooding and hurricanes.
A narrow wagon road built
of red brick was uncovered after the 1913 flood and hidden two years later by
another. The brick was reportedly not from Texas - and may have been ballast from
arriving ships - discarded when cargo was taken on. Many buildings along coastal
Texas were made of ballast brick - which was usually free for the taking.
In the early 1880s a family named Kanter had a contract to build jetties
at Quintana. They were unable to finish the project and in 1889 a syndicate completed
the job with granite shipped in from Central Texas.
The construction
of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway also contributed to the decline of Quintana.
The channel cut off shipping, which had been the economic base for both Quintana
and Old Velasco.
Quintana for
years has been a favorite destination for beach goers wanting to avoid Galveston
crowds.
Book Your Hotel Here & Save: Freeport
Hotels |
 |
Quintana
Beach
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, July 2007 | |
|
