Surfside Beach in Brazoria County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Old Velasco, CSA
Photographed By Texmexfla, August 15, 2008
1. Old Velasco, CSA Marker
Photo taken in late afternoon.
Historic and key Texas port of entry located near here. During the Civil War was fortified by troops and 8 gun batteries at the mouth of the Brazos River, to provide shelter and landing facilities for blockade runners; to protect rich farmlands; and to prevent Federal invasion.
The South exchanged cotton for European guns, ammunition, milled goods and medicines for army and home use. Velasco was one of the busiest ports. Federal vessels attempted to stop vital trade, and constantly fired upon runners as well as the shore defenses and patrols. The runners would approach the port on dark nights when the waters were smooth, and by the use of sounding lines could determine nearness to shore and avoid blockaders. Boilers would be kept well fired with hard coal that burned with a minimum of smoke, in case it became necessary to outrun Federal patrol ships.
Union ships had to go to New Orleans for drinking water, food and fuel, because Texas marines on rafts or dredgeboats or Texas cavalry and infantry units kept them off the shores. The raw courage of the Texas coastal defenders made this a most dramatic story in the history of the Confederacy. (1964)
Erected 1964 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 9607.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these
this page online
Location. 28° 57.047′ N, 95° 17.163′ W. Marker is in Surfside Beach, Texas, in Brazoria County. Marker is at the intersection of Blue Water Highway (State Highway 332) and Surf Drive when traveling east on Blue Water Highway. The marker stands next to another Texas Historical Commission marker and a large stone marker. This collection is located about 50 yards from the automobile entrance booth to the beach and 1 block south of Intracoastal Waterway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 Surf Dr, Freeport TX 77541, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Velasco (here, next to this marker); Historical Jetties (here, next to this marker); Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (here, next to this marker); The Lively (approx. one mile away); Battle of Velasco Memorial (approx. one mile away); The San Felipe Incident (approx. one mile away); Republic of Texas Battery (approx. 1.1 miles away); Confederate Civil War Forts at Mouth of Brazos (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Surfside Beach.
More about this marker. People tend to park their RVs, trucks,
Photographed By Texmexfla, August 15, 2008
2. Two Markers and One Monument at Surfside Beach
Also see . . .
1. Velasco, TX. From the Texas State Historical Association’s “Handbook of Texas Online”. (Submitted on October 31, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.)
2. The History of Old Velasco - Surfside Beach. (Submitted on October 31, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.)
Additional commentary.
1. Confederate Troops
From the book CONFEDERATES ON THE CANEY, Self-published by Bobby McKinney, the following partial list of Confederate and Texas State units stationed at Fort Velasco is taken.
2nd Texas Infantry Regt.
3rd Texas Infantry Regt.
13th Texas Infantry Regt.
Infantry Brigade Texas State Troops
Waul's Texas Legion
1st Texas State Cavalry
23rd Texas Cavalry Regt.
35th (Likens) Texas Cavalry Regt.
Jones' Texas Artillery Battery
Gibson's Texas Artillery Battery
Wilke's Texas Artillery Battery
Confederate Engineer Troops
— Submitted August 16, 2008, by Texmexfla of Houston, Texas.
Photographed By Richard Denney, July 25, 2012
3. Old Velasco, CSA Marker
View of markers in context in the parking lot leading to beach access. View here is looking south east towards beach and Gulf of Mexico.
Photographed By Texmexfla, August 15, 2008
4. Looking Across the Brazos River
This is the site of part of the Confederate Fort Velasco. Notice the Brazos River. This mouth of the Brazos River is still a major commercial location, so the Army Corps of Engineers has done extensive work around this location. In fact, it is a great surprise to see this touristy area after driving through so many refineries and canals.
Photographed By Richard Denney, July 24, 2012
5. Surfside Beach
Marker is located in Surfside, Texas. View of the Surfside beach and Gulf of Mexico in general area of marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2008, by Texmexfla of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,413 times since then and 42 times this year. Last updated on April 2, 2024, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 16, 2008, by Texmexfla of Houston, Texas. 3. submitted on September 23, 2012, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 4. submitted on August 16, 2008, by Texmexfla of Houston, Texas. 5. submitted on September 23, 2012, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
