Matagorda Bay, Texas, May 22, 1852 depicts the coastal town that was established in 1827 by Stephen F. Austin. Flintoffs visit to Matagorda and other Texas coastal towns led to watercolors that are invaluable to historians. Many of them represent municipal buildings and churches that were sometimes damaged or destroyed by heavy storms. At that time, Matagorda was the busiest United States port west of New Orleans. The repeated storms made officials eventually shift the county seat 25 miles inland.
Artist: Thomas Flintoff (1809-1891)
Date: 1852
Medium: Watercolor on Paper