Palacios in Matagorda County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Bay View Hotel

— Hotel Fence Wrap Exhibit Walk —

Photographed by Dave W, January 31, 2026

1. Bay View Hotel Marker

Inscription.
A place for new citizens of Palacios to stay was essential, so the Townsite Company quickly set aside a piece of land on East Bay to build a hotel. Built in 1903, the Bay View Hotel quickly became an essential stop for new Palacios residents. It was designed by Danish-born architect Jules Leffland, of Victoria. He created some 80 structures in this area, several of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. D.D. Rittenhouse was the contractor/builder.

Note: The railroad brought longleaf yellow pine for the framing and cypress from Louisiana for the siding of the hotel. It was a long, clapboard Cape Cod-type resort hotel with a broad, full-facade veranda and had 16 rooms.

Erected by Palacios Preservation Association. (Marker Number 5.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 28° 41.969′ N, 96° 12.976′ W. Marker is in Palacios, Texas, in Matagorda County. It is on South Bay Boulevard west of 4th Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 408 S Bay Blvd, Palacios TX 77465, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the 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,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: On the Move (here, next to this marker); Shanghai Pierce's Bull Pasture

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(here, next to this marker); Whose land was this? (here, next to this marker); A Brand New Town is Born (a few steps from this marker); Sharing Our Story (a few steps from this marker); Hotel Fence Wrap Exhibit (a few steps from this marker); The Pleasure Pavilion (a few steps from this marker); Legacy (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palacios.

Photographed by Dave W, January 31, 2026

2. Bay View Hotel Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2026, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 20 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 19, 2026, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.