Richard C. Gusman Park

Richard C. Gusman Park. . , Richard C. Gusman was Mayor of Bay City from 1947 to 1979, thereby serving as mayor longer than any person in the history of the United States of America. The title of Mayor Emeritus was bestowed in 1981, again a first in the history of the United States. , In 1940, prior to his term as Mayor, Gusman personally obtained a grant from Washington to fund the construction of a modern utility system for the city. His tenure as mayor was highlighted by his foresight and leadership. During his administration the city acquired all of the existing public recreational areas and his tireless efforts and cooperation with the Texas Highway Department resulted in a city of modern streets and traffic control systems. While such civic improvements as these and many more kept pace with the city's rapid growth, Gusman was able, through careful planning, to keep the city tax rate the lowest of any comparable sized city in the United States. , Gusman served in the U.S. Army Air Force during W.W. II. He has since been active on a local, state and national level with the American Legion by serving as National Sergeant at Arms, State Chairman of the Community Service Committee and active member and leader of the local American Legion Post No.11 , Gusman benefited his fellow man by serving as Delegate to the National Rivers and Harbors Congress, Director of South Texas Chamber of Commerce, Texas Safety Council, Battleship Texas Commission, and the Texas Water Conservation Association, by which organization he was honored in 1975 for “Distinguished Service to the Citizens of the State of Texas for exemplary leadership.” , Gusman was one of the first to recognize the importance and great benefits to be derived by Bay City, Matagorda County and surrounding areas through jettying of the mouth of the Colorado river. It was through his diligent labor that the Congress of the United States approved the mouth of the Colorado River Project without doubt. Mayor Gusman deserves more credit for this extraordinary accomplishment than any other person. , Mayor Richard C. Gusman was, and is a pillar of the Christian community of the City of Bay City. He exhibited his devotion as an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Bay City by serving on the Board of Stewards, the church building committee of the Le Tulle Education Building and as an active member and leader of the Wesley Class. , In 1944, he married Florence Craddock of Austin, Texas who also became well known and loved as an accomplished civic leader, through the joint efforts of this couple. A museum for Matagorda County was established in 1963. Their dedicated guidance and leadership has helped insure that preservation of the area’s history and the perpetuation of the growth of the museum.