Portland in San Patricio County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Chat Work Club

Photographed By Gregory Walker, February 5, 2015

1. Chat Work Club Marker

Inscription. Formed by a group of thirty-three women on Valentine's Day, 1921, the Chat Work Club derived its name from the members' practice of working on sewing projects while conversing with each other. In 1925, they began raising funds for a Portland public library, and by 1933 a building was completed. Beginning with 291 books, the library grew over the years and has occupied a number of structures. The original library building was moved to this site in 1983. The members of the Chat Work Club remain active in community affairs.

Erected 1990 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 826.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 27° 54.012′ N, 97° 18.908′ W. Marker is in Portland, Texas, in San Patricio County. Marker is at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Buddy Ganem Drive (County Route 3239), on the right when traveling north on Memorial Drive. Marker is on the south side of the parking lot of the Bell Whittington Public Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2400 Memorial Drive, Portland TX 78374, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Gregory (approx. 2.1 miles away); Site of Bay View College

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(approx. 2.1 miles away); Joseph French Green and La Quinta Mansion (approx. 2.1 miles away); Gregory Schools (approx. 2.3 miles away); Site of Indian Point Mass Grave of 1919 Hurricane Victims (approx. 3.7 miles away); Reef Road (approx. 3.9 miles away); Site of White Point Mass Graves of 1919 Hurricane Victims (approx. 5.8 miles away); 1919 Storm (approx. 7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.

Chat Work Club Marker with original library building. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Gregory Walker, February 5, 2015

2. Chat Work Club Marker with original library building.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2016, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. This page has been viewed 429 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 21, 2016, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.