Historical Marker

Philip H. Parker Post No. 2438, V.F.W.

Historical marker location:
1672 SH 60 N, Bay City, Texas
( Bay City, 1672 SH 60 North)
Marker installed: 2011
Marker size: 27" x 42"

THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES (VFW), FOUNDED IN 1899, TRACES ITS ROOTS TO MILITARY VETERANS SECURING RIGHTS AND BENEFITS FOR THEIR SERVICE. FOLLOWING AN INITIAL JUL. 21, 1940 MEETING AT THE OLD BANDSTAND ON THE COURTHOUSE SQUARE, BAY CITY VFW POST NO. 2438 ORGANIZED AT A NOV. 24, 1940 VFW MEETING IN TEXAS CITY. IN BAY CITY’S CITY HALL AUDITORIUM, WORLD WAR I VETERAN COL. WYATT O. SELKIRK (1881-1971) PRESIDED AS THE FIRST POST COMMANDER OF 18 CHARTER MEMBERS. THE POST ALSO HELD MEETINGS AT THE COURTHOUSE, THE BONEY BUILDING, I.O.O.F. HALL AND THE U.S.O. BUILDING.

POST NO. 2438 FOUND ITS FIRST HOME IN 1948, ON LAND OWNED BY HERBERT AND ALLIE PARKER AT BUCKS BAYOU AND HAMMAN ROADS. THE POST ALSO CHANGED ITS NAME TO HONOR THE PARKERS’ SON, ARMY AIR FORCES CAPT. PHILIP HACKLEY PARKER (1920-1945). PARKER WAS KILLED IN ACTION BY JAPANESE GROUND FIRE WHILE PILOTING HIS P-51D MUSTANG OVER HSIANG CH’ENG, CHINA, ON MAR. 23, 1945. A SURPLUS STRUCTURE MOVED FROM CAMP HULEN IN PALACIOS BECAME A MEETING HALL AND CANTEEN. BEGINNING IN 1954, THE POST AGAIN MET IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS UNTIL A NEW POST HOME WAS DEDICATED ON NORTH HWY. 60 IN 1980. THIS BUILDING AND ALL CONTENTS WERE DESTROYED BY FIRE IN 2000, AND A NEW BUILDING WAS DEDICATED IN 2001. THE POST AND ITS LADIES AUXILIARY (FOUNDED 1947) HAVE SUPPORTED THE COMMUNITY IN SEVERAL WAYS. LONG-STANDING ACTIVITIES INCLUDE AID FOR NEEDY VETERANS, SUPPORT OF CURRENT MILITARY PERSONNEL, STUDENT ESSAY CONTESTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS, AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND CHARITABLE WORK OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. THE POST HAS ALSO HELPED IDENTIFY THE GRAVES OF MORE THAN 3,000 VETERANS IN MATAGORDA COUNTY. POST NO. 2438 CONTINUES TO PROVIDE PATRIOTISM AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO ITS COMMUNITY

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

Military
Audiobooks about the history of Texas.
The cattle industry played a significant role in the development of Texas, with cowboys driving cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Texas random facts
Matagorda County, located in Texas along the Gulf Coast, has a rich and diverse history that spans centuries. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Karankawa and Coahuiltecan peoples. It was first explored by Europeans in the late 17th century, with expeditions led by René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle and Alonso De León. These explorations laid the foundation for future colonization efforts.

In the 1820s, Anglo-American settlers began to arrive in Matagorda County, attracted by the fertile land and natural resources. The Mexican government granted land grants to individuals, and the population grew rapidly. The county played a significant role in the Texas Revolution, with the Battle of Matagorda taking place in 1832. The victory of Texan forces led to the expulsion of Mexican troops from the area.

The discovery of oil in the early 20th century brought a new wave of economic growth to Matagorda County. This led to the establishment of oil refineries and other industries, transforming the region's economy. However, the boom was followed by a period of decline due to the Great Depression and changes in the oil industry. The county experienced a resurgence in the late 20th century with the growth of tourism and recreational activities along the Gulf Coast.

Today, Matagorda County is known for its beautiful beaches and wetlands, attracting visitors from all over. It continues to be an important center for fishing, agriculture, and petrochemical industries. The county's history is preserved through museums and historical sites, providing a glimpse into its vibrant past.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Matagorda County, Texas.

  • 1825 - Stephen F. Austin established a colony around Matagorda Bay.
  • 1832 - Matagorda County was officially created and named after the Matagorda Bay.
  • 1834 - The town of Matagorda became the county seat.
  • 1836 - Texas gained independence from Mexico.
  • 1846 - Matagorda County became part of the state of Texas when it was admitted to the United States.
  • 1856 - The town of Bay City was established as a trade center.
  • 1875 - The county courthouse in Matagorda was destroyed by fire.
  • 1882 - Bay City became the new county seat.
  • 1942 - The Matagorda Island National Wildlife Refuge was established.
  • 1998 - Hurricane Frances caused significant damage to Matagorda County.