This Web site, sponsored by the Port O'Connor Chamber of Commerce, is provided in part by local businesses and individuals to bring you news, information, and resources on our community.

Area Features. Explains the various activities and sites of our area.

Events. An up-to-date calendar of major happenings in Port O'Connor.

Business Directory. Need a vacation rental? A new boat? A fishing guide? Whatever you need, you can find here!

Local Weather. Always an important topic, get the latest reports from the National Weather Service.

Classified Ads. Free to locals and others linked to Port O'Connor. Low-cost for others.

History. We're steeped in history. Find out more about the rich lore of Port O'Connor.

More Info. Can't find it online? Just ask. We're here to help.

Map & Directions. Regional and local maps to help you get around.

ANYONE INTERESTED IN VISITING MATAGORDA ISLAND,There is "no ferry service" to Island,visit our listing for guides, some do shuttles,also under boat rentals,you can rent a boat & go yourself for assistance with Island info,contact Wildlife Management--office in Bay City---phone #-979-244-6804

While in POC visit the lighted fishing pier on Kingfisher Beach and also the new bird walk located at 3rd St.& Taylor.

PORT O'CONNOR CHAMBER of COMMERCE invites you to attend meetings on 2nd Monday of each month at Port O'Connor Municipal Building@39 Trevor St.---We need everyone's ideas & thoughts

ATTENTION SENIOR CITIZENS--Each Tuesday at 11a.m. there is a luncheon at Port O'Connor Community Center followed by Bingo & Visiting with your neighbors.

ATTENTION LADIES WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE BETTERMENT OF COMMUNITY--You are invited to join the POC Service Club--meetings held 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month at 10a.m. at the POC Community Center

POC Sports Association meets the third Monday of each month 7p.m. POC Community Center

Commissioners' Court meets 2nd&4th Thursdays of each month 10a.m.Courthouse--Port Lavaca

WARRIORS WEEK-END 2009 WILL BE May 15th & 16th

MAY 10th---PARTY FOR VIRGIL REDDING COMMUNITY CENTER

May 24th--- Memorial Day Children's Fishing Tournament

June 28th---18th Annual Pescado Grande--Proceeds Benefit The Harbor Children's Alliance & Victim Center

June 5-6-7th Specks & Spots Tournament

July 5th---Fireworks Display-Celebrating our Freedom

July 11th & 12th---Cula Roja Tournament

July 16th thru July 19th--Poco Bueno Tournament

August 8,9,10th---POCIFT--Port O'Connor Invitational Fishing Tournament and Parade-Benifiting Local Causes

August 9th--Speedy Stop Kid's Fishing Tournament

September 6-----POC Ladies Classic Fishing Tournament

December 6th---6th Annual Freeport-to-POC Toy Run

December 6th--Annual Lighted Boat Parade down the Intercoastal Waterway

The 92-foot-tall, charcoal-colored lighthouse is actually the second such structure to be built on the eastern tip of the barrier island overlooking Pass Cavallo that leads from the Gulf into Matagorda Bay. The original lighthouse, known as the Matagorda Light Station, was erected in 1852, funded by $1,500 appropriated by the U.S. Congress. It suffered extensive damage in the early 1860s when Confederate troops removed its Fresnel lens and tried to destroy the tower to prevent the Union Army benefiting from its guiding light. In 1873, what remained of the old structure was dismantled and a new lighthouse erected two miles inland, using the same iron plates. At that time the red and white striped tower was painted black and a new Fresnel lens was installed. That lens, which was removed in 1977, is now on display at the Calhoun County Museum in Port Lavaca.

In 1956, electric power was brought to Matagorda Island and the light was automated. That ended the era of the lighthouse keeper, and Arthur Barr, the last of a long series of lighthouse keepers, and his family moved inland. Mr. Barr's window, Ruth, and their daughter were among the honored guests at the Dedication Ceremony held in June. Also attending and recognized were descendants of the first lighthouse keeper, James Cummings, who, on New Year's Eve, 1852, lit the light on the first Matagorda lighthouse.

The Matagorda Island Lighthouse has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of The Interior. To find out how you can visit this historic monument, which is just a short boat ride from Port O'Connor, call the Texas Parks and Wildlife's Matagorda Island State Park office at 361-983-2215.