Rockport in Aransas County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Cedars

Photographed by Norman Frank, October 27, 2012

1. The Cedars Marker

Inscription. Tourism has been a major part of the Rockport economy for generations, but in the 1920s and 1930s with the rise of the automobile, more visitors began to travel to the area. The Cedars, built in 1928 by Dr. Joe and Mabel Bryant, became a popular tourist destination with seven “resort houses” on the property. The property was sold to H.M. Daggett in 1929. Stanley Daggett, his son, and his wife, Flossie, gained the property in 1930 and added two cottages. Annual gatherings of fishing and birding organizations and groups of families were a common practice and brought in many visitors to the Cedars. Originally there were outhouses, iceboxes, hot plates and a windmill but soon small bathrooms were attached to each cottage. By the late 1940s, the cottages offered hot and cold running water, gas stoves, refrigerators and clothes lines.

In 1946 Miss Ethel Jones who lived in San Antonio purchased the property and hired an on-site manager. After retiring to the property in 1964, she sold the Cedars to her nephew, Charles Stevens, in 1971. Guests from Texas and out of state continued to visit the Cedars. In 1973, Stevens

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sold the property to a group of eight families, organized by the Robertsons, known as the Rockport Cedars Association (RCA). Each family retained a cottage and the center space became common ground. Traditions at the Cedars continued as these families and others enjoyed the coast and worked together for the annual “pier review,” an event when the pier and T-head are repaired. This cultural landmark represents economic growth and tourism in Rockport, and continues to attract families to the beautiful Texas coast.
175 years of Texas independence • 1836 2011
Marker is property of the State of Texas

Erected 2012 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16784.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the Windmills series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 28° 0.686′ N, 97° 3.291′ W. Marker is in Rockport, Texas, in Aransas County. It is on Water Street 0.1 miles south of East King Street, on the right when traveling south. South Water Street is one-way going south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this

View of Sign and Marker with the Cedars in the background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Norman Frank, October 27, 2012

2. View of Sign and Marker with the Cedars in the background

postal address: 1203 S Water 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Old Beach Road (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Hagar’s Rockport Cottages (approx. 0.3 miles away); Simon Michael Gallery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hynes-Balthrope House (approx. half a mile away); Baylor-Norvell House (approx. half a mile away); Site of Heldenfels Shipyard (approx. 0.6 miles away); Mathis House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Shipyards in Rockport (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rockport.

Additional keywords. Aransas County Historical Society

Cedars Marker Dedication in the 10/24/2012 Rockport Pilot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Norman Frank, October 27, 2012

3. Cedars Marker Dedication in the 10/24/2012 Rockport Pilot

Sponsored by the Aransas County Historical Society

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2012. This page has been viewed 1,613 times since then and 102 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 27, 2012, by Norman Frank of Rockport, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.