Palacios in Matagorda County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
W.C. Williams Building
William Conrad “Billy” (W.C.) Williams was born in Matagorda County on February 20, 1854, to John Aaron Williams (1816 - 1865) and Catharine Elizabeth (Franz) Williams (1827 - 1914). John was a ship’s carpenter from Denmark. Catharine, his wife, was from Germany. W.C. Williams married Martha Alice Franz, (1860 - 1952) in 1876, a union which produced seven children. Before moving to Palacios, Williams was a childhood friend of well known author Charles Angelo Siringo and is mentioned several times in A Texas Cowboy. The families lived near each other on Matagorda Island in a small colony called the “Dutch Settlement”. In 1903, Williams, his brother and son were involved in oil ventures in the lucrative Big Hill Oil Discovery Area in Jefferson County. Williams came to Palacios in 1904 at the age of fifty and purchased a lot intending to erect a commercial building.
The Williams Building was completed in 1909 in the Romanesque style with circular arches. The 4200 square foot brick structure was the cornerstone of the business community and an anchor to Palacios’ Downtown. The first recorded occupant was Palacios Hardware owned by O.L. Sparks and then G.H. Davis. The building was also home to Traylor Hardware, the office of Dr. Joseph Wagner, Golden Rule Grocery, Price Cash Hardware, and Lawson Hardware. Williams continued to live in Palacios until his death on November 24, 1946 at the age of ninety-two. The Williams Building remained in the family until the 1970’s. This historic building is a reminder of Downtown Palacios before Hurricane Carla in 1961 destroyed many commercial buildings and homes.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2015
Erected 2015 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18282.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is February 20, 1854.
Location. 28° 42.03′ N, 96° 12.993′ W. Marker is in Palacios, Texas, in Matagorda County. Marker is at the intersection of Commerce Street and 5th Street, on the right when traveling west on Commerce Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 456 Commerce Street, Palacios TX 77465, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old Palacios Hotel (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); R.J. Hill Building (about 400 feet away); Cates-Price House (about 500 feet away); Price-Farwell House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Palacios Pavilions (approx. 0.2 miles away); History of the Palacios Pavilion (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. John’s Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kerry Duane Dale Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palacios.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 126 times since then and 8 times this year. Last updated on March 20, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 19, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.