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

Historic Shellcrete Square

Leadership Aransas County XIV Class Project – June 2010

Photographed By Norman Frank, March 21, 2012

1. Historic Shellcrete Square Marker

Inscription. Between 1935 and 1939, the Texas Highway Department constructed several roadside parks along Highway 35 in Aransas County. Local residents ~ Mrs. J.L. Bell, Harry Hertzberg, Mrs. Eli Hertzberg, Joe S. Sheldon, Arnold K. Sheldon, Harry Traylor, and W.W. Wendell ~ donated the land for these parks.

You are standing at one of those parks that overlooked a spectacular lake, as shown in the photo to the left, now referred to as Tule Creek West.

The park photograph, shown to the right, was taken in 1952 after renovation to the park. These parks were widely used and enjoyed by residents and tourists in Aransas County to relax and view the beautiful live oaks and the lake.

This particular park featured a shellcrete entry and a round shellcrete flowerbed that can still be seen. The use of shellcrete for construction is a part of the history of Aransas County and speaks to the inventive spirit of our founding families.

The City of Rockport acquired this acreage in 2009 to restore this natural area for the enjoyment of all visitors. Leadership Aransas County class XIV is proud to partner with the City in this project to revitalize this land and highlight one of the county’s many hidden historical sites.

Erected 2010 by Visionaries in Preservation, Leadership Aransas

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County 20 XIV 10, City of Rockport. (Marker Number 9.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.

Location. 28° 3.044′ N, 97° 2.523′ W. Marker is in Rockport, Texas, in Aransas County. Marker is on Business State Highway 35, 0.1 miles south of Harbor Drive, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2401 Business Hwy 35 N, Rockport TX 78382, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rockport Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); Home of George W. Fulton (approx. 0.7 miles away); Fulton Mansion (approx. 0.7 miles away); Frandolig Island (approx. 0.7 miles away); Fulton (approx. 0.9 miles away); Fulton Seafood Industry (approx. 0.9 miles away); Tourist Courts and Cottages (approx. 0.9 miles away); Casterline Fish Company (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rockport.

Dedication Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Norman Frank, March 21, 2012

2. Dedication Plaque

Historic Shellcrete Square image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Norman Frank, March 21, 2012

3. Historic Shellcrete Square

Close-up of Shellcrete Flower Bed image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Norman Frank, March 21, 2012

4. Close-up of Shellcrete Flower Bed

Shellcrete Description Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Norman Frank, March 21, 2012

5. Shellcrete Description Plaque

First Eight Signs for Rockport's Pathways to History image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Norman Frank, March 21, 2012

6. First Eight Signs for Rockport's Pathways to History

#9 and Future Signage for Rockport's Pathways to History image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Norman Frank, March 21, 2012

7. #9 and Future Signage for Rockport's Pathways to History

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2012. This page has been viewed 1,395 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 21, 2012. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.