Aransas County Historical Society
From ACHS and Related Organizations
We have begun capturing presentations hosted by the Historical Society and related organizations so that they may be viewed online. Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Links will be added to the individual presentations with a short description of each on this page. All video production and editing is done by the Aransas County Historical Society.
Currently Available Presentations
Click on title or image to view HD video.
A link to an audio only file is also provided in the description of each video, where available. Click the link to stream audio. On computers and some devices, you may also click the three dots on the right of the player, or right click on player, and select “download” to download the audio file, which then may be added to your music library.
ACHS 2020 Annual Meeting – Rockport’s Five Earliest Churches – Fred Gibbs, Kathryn Albin, Janie White, John Jackson and David Murrah
A series of five presentations from the Aransas County Historical Society’s 2020 annual meeting on the histories of Rockport’s five earliest churches including Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, Catholic and Presbyterian. Each presentation is delivered by a representative of the church.
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An Interview with Steve Harrigan – Steve Harrigan and Justice Ken Wise
An interview with Steve Harrigan author of a new Texas history book, Big Wonderful Thing. Mr. Harrigan is interviewed by Justice Ken Wise. This program is a presentation of the Friends of the Fulton Mansion.
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Gold Beneath the Trees – Keith Petrus
A presentation by Keith Petrus – A first-person account of the family’s journey to Texas with the Powers Colony on Copano Bay. Sponsored by the Aransas County Historical Society on November 14, 2019.
Tom Hart and family left Ireland in 1834 with high hopes of beginning a new life in Texas. Instead, they found tragedy and hardship. Their story of perseverance, against all odds, is told through the eyes of Tom’s daughter, Rosalie Hart-Priour.
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Remembering the 1919 Storm on its 100th Anniversary – David Murrah, Bobby Jackson & Rusty Day
Presented in conjunction with the Texas Maritime Museum, this video contains presentations by David Murrah PhD, Bobby Jackson, and Rusty Day. Dr Murrah briefly covers the history of the 1919 storm, Bobby Jackson presents a first hand account from the character of his ancestor who was a survivor of the storm in Rockport Texas. Rusty Day discusses the history of the building that is now the Angel Rose Bed and Breakfast and one of the few buildings to survive the 1919 hurricane.
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Barrier Island History Series – from The History Center for Aransas County
Early Settlers – Jackie Shaw
Jackie Shaw discusses her family’s long history in the area including the barrier islands and Lamar Peninsula. Delivered at The History Center for Aransas County on 6/16/2019. This video is part of the Barrier Islands program produced by the History Center.
Texas Coast Geology – Mark Besonen
In this video presentation, Mark Besonen PhD talks about the geology of the Texas barrier islands. Delivered at The History Center for Aransas County on 6/16/2019, Dr. Besonen delivers an interesting and enlightening story of the forces that create and maintain our barrier islands. Dr. Besonen’s enthusiasm for the subject is obvious and contagious. He is an Associate Research Scientist at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi.
Island Tales – Steve Russell
This is the fourth presentation in the Barrier Island Series from the History Center for Aransas County. Local legend, artist and teller of tales Steve Russell talks about adventures and life on the barrier islands and bays of the Central Texas coast. Delivered at the History Center on June 2, 2019 in Rockport, Texas.
To play audio only, click on this link: Steve Russell
San Jose Cattle Company – Wade Ruddock
Third in the Barrier Island Series from the History Center for Aransas County. Wade Ruddock, the manager of the San Jose Cattle Company, tells us about life on the island, how the cattle company maintains the island ecologically. How the cattle positively impact the botanical diversity of the island and so benefit the wildlife. Presented May 19, 2019 in Rockport, Texas.
To play audio only, click on this link: Wade Ruddock.
Early Settlers – Jerry Brundrett
Second in the Barrier Island Series from the History Center for Aransas County. In this presentation by Jerry Brundrett, a direct descendant of some of the early setters of the barrier islands, we hear stories about the difficult life on the island in the 1800’s and early 1900’s. Delivered at the History Center in Rockport, Texas on May 5, 2019
To play audio only, click on this link: Early Settlers – Jerry Brundrett.
The History of the Lydia Ann Lighthouse – Rick Pratt
This excellent and entertaining presentation by Rick Pratt, retired director of the Port Aransas Museum and a light house keeper for the Lydia Ann Lighthouse. This is the first of a series of presentations on the Barrier Islands of Aransas County: San Jose and Matagorda by the History Center for Aransas County
The presentation was delivered at the History Center in Rockport, Texas on April 27, 2019.
To play audio only, click on this link: Rick Pratt.
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South Texas Historical Association Annual Meeting Series
The San Antonio &Aransas Pass Railroad in Rockport (Formerly Aransas Pass) – Pam Stranahan
This is one of the presentations from the South Texas Historical Association Spring Symposium that was held in Rockport, Texas on April 6, 2019. The subject was on the history of the railroads in South Texas. In this presentation Rockport’s own Archaeologist, Pam Stranahan provides insight into how the railroad came to Rockport and the very significant impact it had on the development of the town.
To play audio only, click on this link: Pam Stranahan.
United States Railroads and the Great War – Ken Stavinoha
Another excellent presentation on the history of railroads in Texas. In this lecture, Ken Stavinoha talks about the early Texas railroads and their role in World War I. This lecture is also part of the series from the South Texas Historical Association’s Spring Symposium held in Rockport, Texas on April 6, 2019.
To play audio only, click on this link: Ken Stavinoha.
The Railroads of South Texas – George Cooper
George Cooper provides information on the growth of railroads in South Texas and interesting details about their history. This lecture is part of the South Texas Historical Association’s Spring Symposium held in Rockport, Texas on April 6, 2019
To play audio only, click on this link: George Cooper.
Texas Mexican Railroads – John L Bluntzer
John L. Bluntzer tells about the building of the Texas-Mexican Railroads and their impact on Texas History. From the South Texas Historical Association’s Spring Symposium held in Rockport, Texas on Apriil 6, 2019
To play audio only, click on this link: George Bluntzer.
African Americans and Railroad History – Naomi Carrier
Naomi Carrier provides education and enlightenment by presenting historical information and reading for us part of one of her plays based on the experiences of African Americans in the early days of the American railroads. It is a special combination of knowledge, wisdom and talent. It was delivered as part of the South Texas Historical Association’s Spring Symposium held in Rockport, Texas on April 6, 2019.
To play audio only, click on this link: Naomi Carrier.
The History of the St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico Railway: How Kingsville Came to Be – Lisa Neely
Lisa Neely presents a detailed and informative account of the railroads in South Texas relating to the development of the King Ranch and the City of Kingsville. This presentation is part of the South Texas Historical Association’s Spring Symposium held in Rockport, Texas on April 6, 2019.
To play audio only, click on this link: Lisa Neely.
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Whatever Happened to Rocky Point – Jerry Brundrett and John Jackson
Have you ever wondered where the City of Rockport got its name? In this presentation, Jerry and John go over the fascinating history of the Rockport harbor and waterfront.
Presented at the Aransas County Historical Society’s annual meeting for 2019.
To play audio only, click on this link: Rocky Point.
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Don Francisco Yturria: The Beginnings of a South Texas Entrepreneur – Lilia Garcia
Don Francisco Yturria was an early South Texas entrepreneur and, arguably, one of the most significant forces in the development of that area during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In this video, Lilia Garcia, Don Francisco’s great great granddaughter and professor of history at the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley tells the fascinating story of his life.
Jointly hosted by the Friends of the Aransas County History Center and the Aransas County Historical Society. Presented at the Fulton Mansion Historical Site March 28, 2019.
To play audio only, click on this link: Don Francisco Yturria.