Rockport in Aransas County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Kline's Cafe
Photographed by Dave W, November 9, 2025
1. Kline's Cafe Marker
Inscription.
Kline's Cafe. . When popular hangout “Capt. Davis’ Drive-In,” owned by brothers Marvin, Jack and Charlie Davis, burned to the ground in 1942, Charlie’s wife, Mollie Davis, vowed to rebuild it and hired local builder Alva O. Freeman Sr. Construction of the art moderne building, featuring curved walls and glass block windows, was finished the same year. After Charlie Davis died in 1945, the Davis family began to lease out the property. Herbert “Shorty” Kline and his wife, Gloria, established local staple Kline’s Café and purchased the property in 1968. They were known for their signature steaks and homemade pies. Kline’s Café closed in 2002. Though the building was later moved four blocks, fond memories of the significant establishment remain.
When popular hangout “Capt. Davis’ Drive-In,” owned by brothers Marvin, Jack and Charlie Davis, burned to the ground in 1942, Charlie’s wife, Mollie Davis, vowed to rebuild it and hired local builder Alva O. Freeman Sr. Construction of the art moderne building, featuring curved walls and glass block windows, was finished the same year. After Charlie Davis died in 1945, the Davis family began to lease out the property. Herbert “Shorty” Kline and his wife, Gloria, established local staple Kline’s Café and purchased the property in 1968. They were known for their signature steaks and homemade pies. Kline’s Café closed in 2002. Though the building was later moved four blocks, fond memories of the significant establishment remain.
Erected 2022 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 23643.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.
Location. 28° 1.243′ N, 97° 3.144′ W. Marker is in Rockport, Texas, in Aransas County. It is at the intersection of St. Mary's Street and S Magnolia St, on the right when traveling east on St. Mary's Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1006 St Mary's Street, Rockport TX 78382, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the American Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Also see . . . News story about the move to its new (current) location. A historic building known as the Kline Cafe was moved to another part of the historic Rockport downtown district to make room for a new Center for the Arts. (Submitted on November 10, 2025, by Dave W of Co, Colorado.)
Photographed by Dave W, November 9, 2025
2. Kline's Cafe Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2025, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 108 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 10, 2025, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
