Port Lavaca in Calhoun County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Kamey Community
John William McKamey (1878-1955) was born in Salem, Arkansas, to John Samuel Monroe and Sarah Rebecca McKamey. John’s family valued education and moved four times in order for John to graduate from Baylor University with two diplomas in Military Science and Elocution on June 6, 1899. After graduation, john returned to Gregory, Texas, to assist his father in managing the family’s 2,000-acre cotton farm. In 1901, John married Maude Todd whom he met at Baylor.
Looking to expand, John and his brother, Tunnell, purchased lots in the Port Lavaca townsite along with the Bay Trading Co. between 1905 and 1907. John also purchased property and established Lynnworth Cemetery (now Port Lavaca Cemetery). During this time, several members of the McKamey family along with J.B. McCampbell purchased more than 8,000 acres that became known as the Kamey Community.
In 1912, Maude and John moved from Port Lavaca to the Kamey Community and raised five children. John and the McKamey family raised cattle and farmed cotton and grain sorghum. In addition to the land, a depot along the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio railway provided an accessible transport for McKamey goods to market. In 1910, a post office was established for the family and farm employees but was discontinued in 1915. A one-teacher school was available from 1910 to 1948 as well as a general store for the community, later named the “Kamey Army Store” which operated from 1914 to 2002. Generations of the McKamey family continue to work the land and contribute to the agricultural development of the area.
Erected 2017 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18698.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 28° 38.082′ N, 96° 44.469′ W. Marker is in Port Lavaca, Texas, in Calhoun County. Marker is on Shop Road (U.S. 87), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 87 Shop Rd, Port Lavaca TX 77979, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Calhoun County (approx. 1.4 miles away); Moses Johnson, M.D. (approx. 1.4 miles away); Clark Cemetery (approx. 3 miles away); Sylvanus Hatch (approx. 4 miles away); Hatch Cemetery (approx. 4 miles away); Six Mile Cemetery (approx. 4½ miles away); Six Mile Presbyterian Church (approx. 4½ miles away); Six Mile-Royal Community (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Lavaca.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 15, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.