Historic Resource Surveys in Aransas, Calhoun, and Refugio Counties

Historic Resources Surveys of Aransas, Calhoun, and Refugio Counties

In March 2019, the Texas Historical Commission (THC) received a grant from the National Park Service’s Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund to address the consequences of Hurricane Harvey on historic properties. To further our mission of protecting and preserving the state’s historic resources for the use, education, enjoyment, and economic benefit of present and future generations, THC, though our primary contractor Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc. (JMT), conducted historic resources surveys of Aransas, Calhoun, and Refugio Counties. These counties were identified based on the lack of existing historic resource surveys, the likelihood of finding historic properties, and the threat of future hurricanes. The goal of this project was to develop a historic context and to identify historically significant properties, neighborhoods, and communities. Such surveys can be indispensable to raise a community’s awareness of its cultural heritage, create a lasting record of a community’s history, recognize those properties with potential for historic designation, and ensure historic resources are taken into account when federal agencies consider the impacts of their undertakings on the natural and human environment.

The THC is pleased to share that the final reports for Aransas, Calhoun, and Refugio Counties are complete and are now available to share. The purpose of this survey is to document existing historic-age (45 year or older) buildings, structures, and significant landscape and infrastructure features. Architectural historians have travelled across the three counties photographing and documenting historic resources from the public right-of-way, recording information such as materials, function, and integrity.

You are invited to download the reports and share any questions or comments that you may have with the project team at ESHPF_survey@thc.texas.gov or contact Justin Kockritz at justin.kockritz@thc.texas.gov or 512-936-7403.

Aransas County

In total, 2,109 historic-age resources in Aransas County were documented and evaluated for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility; 28 properties and 1 historic district, the Oak Terrace Historic District, are recommended as eligible for listing in the NRHP.

Due to file size limitations, the following appendices to the Aransas County Historic Resources Survey Report are available for download from a THC SharePoint folder:

  • Appendix A: Report Tables
  • Appendix B: Survey Forms for Current NRHP Listings
  • Appendix C: Survey Forms for Properties Recommended NRHP-Eligible
  • Appendix D: Survey Forms for Properties Recommended Not NRHP-Eligible
  • Appendix E: Survey Forms for Proposed Oak and Pine Avenues Historic District

Calhoun County

In total, 2,973 historic-age resources in Calhoun County were documented and evaluated for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility; 40 properties and 2 historic districts, the Downtown Port Lavaca and Lynnhaven Historic Districts, are recommended as eligible for listing in the NRHP.

Due to file size limitations, the following appendices to the Calhoun County Historic Resources Survey Report are available for download from a THC SharePoint folder:

  • Appendix A: Report Tables
  • Appendix B: Survey Forms for Current NRHP Listings
  • Appendix C: Survey Forms for Properties Recommended NRHP-Eligible
  • Appendix D: Survey Forms for Properties Recommended Not NRHP-Eligible
  • Appendix E: Survey Forms for Proposed Historic Districts
  • Appendix F: Post-WWII Neighborhoods
  • Appendix G: Survey Forms for Sites and Objects
  • Appendix H: Survey Forms for Industrial Sites
  • Appendix I: Survey Forms for Potentially Eligible Properties

Refugio County

In total, 1,648 historic-age resources in Refugio County were documented and evaluated for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility; 25 properties and 2 historic district, the Hotel Tivoli Historic District and the Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church Historic District, are recommended as eligible for listing in the NRHP.

Due to file size limitations, the following appendices to the Refugio County Historic Resources Survey Report are available for download from a THC SharePoint folder:

  • Appendix A: Report Tables
  • Appendix B: Survey Forms for Current NRHP Listings
  • Appendix C: Survey Forms for Properties Recommended NRHP-Eligible
  • Appendix D: Survey Forms for Properties Recommended Not NRHP-Eligible
  • Appendix E: Survey Forms for Proposed Hotel Tivoli Historic District

Photo Gallery

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  • The Sorenson-Stair Building in Rockport is recommended eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion A for its historic associations with commerce and under Criterion C for its architecture.