Anderson & Mikeska present historical details of Indianola

Members of the Woman's Club of El Campo met at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 19 in the home of Patsy Korenek. Cohostesses were Sharon Faltisek and Jo Dennis.

President Dayle Aulds called the meeting to order followed by Roberta Presley introducing Jean Anderson and Donna Mikeska, who presented a program on Indianola.

Indianola is now a ghost town located on Matagorda Bay in Calhoun County. Founded in 1846, it served as a major port and was once the county seat of Calhoun County. Indianola was known as the "Dream City of the Gulf." During the Civil War, Indianola's railroad bed - then under construction - was destroyed. During Reconstruction, the Indianola Railroad was completed to Clark's Station where it linked with the Gulf, West Texas and Mexican Railway.

Indianola soon became prosperous and gas lights were installed in the business district, as many social activities were available. The post office opened in September 1847 and stagecoach services began in 1848. In 1852, there were three newspapers, and it was Shanghi Pierce that had the first Brahma cattle shipped into Indianola.

A storm in September 1875 killed 46 individuals and thousands rebuilt their businesses and homes inland. A third storm hit in August 1886.

Today, due to years of erosion the shoreline has moved with the ruined remains of Indianola located mostly under water. The earliest marked grave in the Zimmerman Cemetery is 1852 and 1851 in the Old Town Cemetery. The DAR helps with the upkeep of these cemeteries.

The LaSalle monument is located on the beach of Indianola. He came ashore in Texas in 1685 while seeking the mouth of the Mississippi. Pictures were shown of the many records and artifacts of the La Belle.

Now the community consists of Magnolia Beach, Indianola Beach and Powderhorn Lake. This area plays host to birds, fish and recreation. Members were able to look at artifacts brought by Anderson.

After the program, Catherine Lundy led the women with the club collect and pledges to the flags. Gloria Petersen called roll and read the minutes from the January meeting. Evelyn Martin gave the treasurer's report, followed with an Operation Smile report by Lundy.