Sargent, Texas
Encyclopedia
Sargent is a small unincorporated community
located in the eastern corner of Matagorda County, Texas
, United States
.
Sargent is a fishing, boating, and water sports community with a variable population, as most of its inhabitants are weekend commuters from larger cities such as Houston, Austin
, and San Antonio. Sargent is on Farm Road 457, five miles northwest of the Gulf of Mexico and twenty-four miles southeast of Bay City in the eastern corner of Matagorda County. Approximately 500 permanent residents live in the Sargent area, while on holiday weekends the population may swell to as high as 5,000. The Sargent area, with its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico
, East Matagorda Bay
, the Intracoastal Waterway
, and Caney Creek
, is home base to many commercial and sport fisherman and shrimpers. Red drum
(aka Redfish), Spotted Seatrout
(aka Speckled Trout), Flounder, Blue Crab and shrimp
are among the local favorites.
In addition to the local fishing, one of the unique appeals of Sargent is that many of the homesites are waterfront. Several developments, such as Caney Creek Estates became established in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Following the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Carla
in 1961, other developments such as Downey's Caney Creek, Caney Court, and Caney Creek Haven were established, including new waterfront lots created by the digging of manmade canals off Caney Creek
and the Intracoastal Waterway
.
Many waterfront lots were originally sold as campsites. Much of Sargent still has a fishing camp influence with many recreational vehicles present, although the majority of developed homesites now have permanent dwellings. Also prevalent are the many private wooden piers and docks, where modern recreational watercraft can be docked. Most piers also have electric fishing lights that allow night fishing, particularly during the colder months where Spotted Seatrout
are known to feed as they migrate inland. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/strout/
Sargent Beach, where multiple rows of beach houses in the 1960s eventually succumbed to continual beach erosion, has received more attention to preserve what remains of this relatively narrow island bordered by the Gulf of Mexico
, the Intracoastal Waterway
, Mitchell's Cut into East Matagorda Bay
, and the San Bernard River
far to the east.
Mitchell's Cut is basically the continuation of Caney Creek
. Caney Creek is almost long enough to be a river and has often has brackish water, even a few miles inland. The "Pass" runs into the gulf and is 1/4 mile down the cut, past the entrance to East Matagorda Bay. The "cut" is a favorite fishing site for families, and anglers. Many favorite local boat park onshore, anchor and wade in various fishing spots are in this area, such as "Leroy's Hole." Occasionally, an incoming blue ocean current will run into the 50 feet (15.2 m) pass at the beach-front for excellent fishing.
The cut also allows passage to the gulf for offshore fishing and shrimping, and is vital to the live bait and shrimp sales for the community. The "Cut"(known as Brown Cedar Cut, or Mitchell's Cut)is the only pass from Freeport to Matagorda
and it has an obvious importance to East Matagorda Bay
, Sargent, and the people who live in the general area. The shore line between Sargent's pass is a stretch of land covering East Matagorda Bay is the MATAGORDA PENINSULA
. The pass drains the river water from Caney Creek passed the Intracoastal Waterway
, into the gulf or East Matagorda Bay
. There are a multitude of shifting tides, water depth, and new sandbars throughout the year. A common a problem is the sand bar that runs across the cut about 100 yards out, and affects the bigger shrimp boats on a low tide.
The most notable effort to protect Sargent Beach was obtaining funding for and completing development of a granite breakwater revetment designed and installed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the early 1990s. This substructure is designed to help prevent beach erosion and protect inland homes from storm surge
in the event of a tropical cyclone
making landfall near the area. Coastal Technology's from Austin received a grant from the Port of Bay City Authority (two different grants totaling $340,000) to study improving the pass.
.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
located in the eastern corner of Matagorda County, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Sargent is a fishing, boating, and water sports community with a variable population, as most of its inhabitants are weekend commuters from larger cities such as Houston, Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, and San Antonio. Sargent is on Farm Road 457, five miles northwest of the Gulf of Mexico and twenty-four miles southeast of Bay City in the eastern corner of Matagorda County. Approximately 500 permanent residents live in the Sargent area, while on holiday weekends the population may swell to as high as 5,000. The Sargent area, with its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
, East Matagorda Bay
Matagorda Bay
Matagorda Bay is a large estuary bay on the Texas coast, lying in Calhoun and Matagorda counties and located approximately northeast of Corpus Christi, southeast of San Antonio, southwest of Houston, and southeast of Austin. It is separated from the Gulf of Mexico by Matagorda Peninsula and...
, the Intracoastal Waterway
Intracoastal Waterway
The Intracoastal Waterway is a 3,000-mile waterway along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Some lengths consist of natural inlets, salt-water rivers, bays, and sounds; others are artificial canals...
, and Caney Creek
Caney Creek
There are numerous streams named Caney Creek in Texas, including:*Caney Creek *Caney Creek...
, is home base to many commercial and sport fisherman and shrimpers. Red drum
Red Drum
The Red Drum , also known as Channel Bass, Redfish, Spottail Bass or simply Reds, is a game fish that is found in the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to Northern Mexico. It is the only species in the genus Sciaenops...
(aka Redfish), Spotted Seatrout
Spotted Seatrout
The spotted seatrout also known as speckled trout,or spotted weakfish is a common estuary fish found in the southern United States...
(aka Speckled Trout), Flounder, Blue Crab and shrimp
Shrimp
Shrimp are swimming, decapod crustaceans classified in the infraorder Caridea, found widely around the world in both fresh and salt water. Adult shrimp are filter feeding benthic animals living close to the bottom. They can live in schools and can swim rapidly backwards. Shrimp are an important...
are among the local favorites.
In addition to the local fishing, one of the unique appeals of Sargent is that many of the homesites are waterfront. Several developments, such as Caney Creek Estates became established in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Following the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Carla
Hurricane Carla
Hurricane Carla was one of two Category 5 tropical cyclones during the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season. It struck the Texas coast as a Category 4 hurricane, becoming one of the most powerful storms to ever strike the United States. Hurricane Carla was the second most intense storm to ever...
in 1961, other developments such as Downey's Caney Creek, Caney Court, and Caney Creek Haven were established, including new waterfront lots created by the digging of manmade canals off Caney Creek
Caney Creek
There are numerous streams named Caney Creek in Texas, including:*Caney Creek *Caney Creek...
and the Intracoastal Waterway
Intracoastal Waterway
The Intracoastal Waterway is a 3,000-mile waterway along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Some lengths consist of natural inlets, salt-water rivers, bays, and sounds; others are artificial canals...
.
Many waterfront lots were originally sold as campsites. Much of Sargent still has a fishing camp influence with many recreational vehicles present, although the majority of developed homesites now have permanent dwellings. Also prevalent are the many private wooden piers and docks, where modern recreational watercraft can be docked. Most piers also have electric fishing lights that allow night fishing, particularly during the colder months where Spotted Seatrout
Spotted Seatrout
The spotted seatrout also known as speckled trout,or spotted weakfish is a common estuary fish found in the southern United States...
are known to feed as they migrate inland. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/strout/
Sargent Beach, where multiple rows of beach houses in the 1960s eventually succumbed to continual beach erosion, has received more attention to preserve what remains of this relatively narrow island bordered by the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
, the Intracoastal Waterway
Intracoastal Waterway
The Intracoastal Waterway is a 3,000-mile waterway along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Some lengths consist of natural inlets, salt-water rivers, bays, and sounds; others are artificial canals...
, Mitchell's Cut into East Matagorda Bay
Matagorda Bay
Matagorda Bay is a large estuary bay on the Texas coast, lying in Calhoun and Matagorda counties and located approximately northeast of Corpus Christi, southeast of San Antonio, southwest of Houston, and southeast of Austin. It is separated from the Gulf of Mexico by Matagorda Peninsula and...
, and the San Bernard River
San Bernard River
-Origin:San Bernard River flows from its headwaters northwest of San Felipe, Texas to its mouth on the Gulf of Mexico, some to the southeast of the source. Its principal tributary is Caney Creek. Along its course, it passes through portions of Austin, Brazoria, Colorado, Fort Bend, Matagorda...
far to the east.
Mitchell's Cut is basically the continuation of Caney Creek
Caney Creek
There are numerous streams named Caney Creek in Texas, including:*Caney Creek *Caney Creek...
. Caney Creek is almost long enough to be a river and has often has brackish water, even a few miles inland. The "Pass" runs into the gulf and is 1/4 mile down the cut, past the entrance to East Matagorda Bay. The "cut" is a favorite fishing site for families, and anglers. Many favorite local boat park onshore, anchor and wade in various fishing spots are in this area, such as "Leroy's Hole." Occasionally, an incoming blue ocean current will run into the 50 feet (15.2 m) pass at the beach-front for excellent fishing.
The cut also allows passage to the gulf for offshore fishing and shrimping, and is vital to the live bait and shrimp sales for the community. The "Cut"(known as Brown Cedar Cut, or Mitchell's Cut)is the only pass from Freeport to Matagorda
Matagorda
Matagorda may refer to:Geography*Matagorda Bay, on the coast of Texas*Matagorda County, Texas*Matagorda Independent School District in Matagorda County, Texas*Matagorda Island, a barrier island on the coast of Texas...
and it has an obvious importance to East Matagorda Bay
Matagorda Bay
Matagorda Bay is a large estuary bay on the Texas coast, lying in Calhoun and Matagorda counties and located approximately northeast of Corpus Christi, southeast of San Antonio, southwest of Houston, and southeast of Austin. It is separated from the Gulf of Mexico by Matagorda Peninsula and...
, Sargent, and the people who live in the general area. The shore line between Sargent's pass is a stretch of land covering East Matagorda Bay is the MATAGORDA PENINSULA
Matagorda Peninsula
The Matagorda Peninsula is a narrow spit of land on the southeastern coast of Texas in the United States.The peninsula is in Matagorda County, Texas. It lies between Matagorda Bay, an estuary, and the Gulf of Mexico, and water is exchanged between the two through five main tidal...
. The pass drains the river water from Caney Creek passed the Intracoastal Waterway
Intracoastal Waterway
The Intracoastal Waterway is a 3,000-mile waterway along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Some lengths consist of natural inlets, salt-water rivers, bays, and sounds; others are artificial canals...
, into the gulf or East Matagorda Bay
East Matagorda Bay
East Matagorda Bay, off Matagorda County on the Texas coast , is enclosed by the Matagorda Peninsula and the tidal flats at the mouth of the Colorado River. Its only true opening to the Gulf of Mexico is through Brown Cedar Cut, near the north end of the peninsula.It is part of the Matagorda Bay...
. There are a multitude of shifting tides, water depth, and new sandbars throughout the year. A common a problem is the sand bar that runs across the cut about 100 yards out, and affects the bigger shrimp boats on a low tide.
The most notable effort to protect Sargent Beach was obtaining funding for and completing development of a granite breakwater revetment designed and installed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the early 1990s. This substructure is designed to help prevent beach erosion and protect inland homes from storm surge
Storm surge
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea...
in the event of a tropical cyclone
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
making landfall near the area. Coastal Technology's from Austin received a grant from the Port of Bay City Authority (two different grants totaling $340,000) to study improving the pass.
History
Sargent was named for George Thomas Sargent (1791-1875). Sargent and his family relocated to Texas from England in 1834. In 1838 they established permanent residence in Matagorda County, where Sargent became a major landowner. George T. Sargent and his daughter-in-law, Sarah Ann, drowned in a hurricane in 1875. They are buried in a small family cemetery located in Caney Creek Estates and maintained by local residents. The site was awarded a Historical Marker by the Texas State Historical Commission in 1986. http://www.sargenttexas.com/photos/sargent/DSC00526.jpg.htm
Education
The community is within the Van Vleck Independent School DistrictVan Vleck Independent School District
Van Vleck Independent School District is a public school district based in the community of Van Vleck in unincorporated Matagorda County, Texas...
.