Matagorda in Matagorda County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Frontier Building
(Old Meat Market)
Photographed By James Hulse, October 11, 2020
1. Frontier Building Marker
The Market was built by Stewart Savage in the early 1900s. (It is known to have been built prior to 1915 because during that year a Mr. Ginetes was "laid out" in the building after going on a shooting spree and then taking his own life.) It was located on Market Street directly behind the Masonic Lodge building. When it was determined that it had been built partially in an adjoining lot, it was moved to the next block west to a spot on the north side of Fisher street. Mr. Herbie Gottschalk was the mover who moved the building by "dragging" it to its new site (with horse or mule teams). The building was used primarily as a Meat Market through the years with the proprietors at successive times being the Mahavier family, Brown Watkins, and Asher and Sal Owlsley. It was also used as a barber shop for a brief period in the early 1930s.
At the time It was moved to the Park by the River's End Garden Club it had been unused for a number of years and was owned by the Sisk family. It was donated to the Garden Club by Dr. and Mrs. W. H. Parham. Mrs. Parham was the former Allie Jay Sisk.
Erected by Matagorda Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.
Location. 28° 41.331′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old Matagorda Post Office (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Old Matagorda Post Office (a few steps from this marker); School House (a few steps from this marker); Site of Dream Colony of Jane McManus (a few steps from this marker); Early Texas Freighting (a few steps from this marker); Commemorating Gulf High School (within shouting distance of this marker); Fisher-Sargent-Gottschalk House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Matagorda Lodge No. 7, A.F. & A.M. (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Matagorda.
Also see . . . Murder in the Meat Market and other stories. Matagorda Historical Society - usgenwebsites.org (Submitted on October 27, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed By James Hulse, October 11, 2020
2. Frontier Building and Marker
The marker is located just to the right of the doors on the building.
Photographed By James Hulse, October 11, 2020
3. Frontier Building and Post Office Building
The white building is the Old Post Office Building and the red building is the Old Meat Market (Frontier) Building.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 115 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 27, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
