Collegeport Marks 100th Anniversary at Collegeport Day
 

The community of Collegeport received numerous honors on its 100th anniversary during the annual Collegeport Day gathering held Saturday. Representative Mike O’Day presented a Resolution passed by the State of Texas House of Representatives in recognition of the Centennial as well as a Texas flag that had flown over the State Capital on May 25 (the date of Collegeport’s founding in 1908).
 

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An estimated 300 current and former residents, as well as guests, turned out for the 100th annual Collegeport Day held Saturday at the community’s historic MoPac House.

G. W. Franzen served as Master of Ceremonies, welcoming the guests, and Janell Blair, co-pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Collegeport, gave the invocation.

Immediately following lunch, G. W. Franzen extended congratulations on behalf of Matagorda County Judge Nate McDonald, who was unable to attend the celebration.

State Representative Mike O’Day presented a Texas flag flown at the Texas Capitol on May 25, 2008, the date of the 100th Anniversary of the founding of Collegeport, along with a certificate for display. He also read and presented a Proclamation from the State of Texas House of Representatives commemorating the one-hundredth anniversary of Collegeport, the “Town of Opportunity.”

Ona Lea Pierce, Chairman of the Matagorda County Historical Commission expressed greetings and congratulations to the Collegeport community on its special day, and introduced Deean Griffith, Chairman of the History Appreciation Day program. Deean explained the Collegeport Centennial Driving Tour which commemorates the 100th year of the community with a brochure of photos and descriptions of early Collegeport businesses, homes and residents. Using the brochure as a guide, guests could drive through the townsite and identify these sites which were marked along the route.

Carol Sue Gibbs and G. W. Franzen were presented certificates for their work on the project.

A register was signed by those attending which will be placed in a time capsule to be opened on the Collegeport Sesquicentennial in the year 2056. A special Collegeport Centennial cake was served to mark the occasion.

Mamie Murry Pennington was recognized as the oldest person attending at 97 years of age. Her father, Robert Murry, was a ranch foreman for Jonathan Pierce, and it was he who selected the site of Pierce’s Pilkington Slough Ranch headquarters in about 1889. “Miss Mamie” proclaimed that she wasn’t as old as Collegeport! Ramon Herrera, aged less than a year was the youngest attending.

Couples married the longest were Ottmar and Martha Jane Schimek (64 years), and Joe and Jean Broskey (65 years).

Other attractions were classic vehicles displayed by their owners and also members of the Golden Crescent Antique Car Club of Victoria. Vintage tractors were displayed by Jarrett Vavra and Mark Merck.

Many of the younger folks enjoyed the “Moon Walk.” Providing music and the public address system was the group “Highway 59.” Mark Canfield and Larry Davies entertained the crowd with country music selections.