Christina Barientos-Morales
Port O’Connor Post Office

I had the pleasure of speaking with our newest PostLady, Christina Barrientos-Morales, who is replacing Johnny Johnson at our Port O’Connor Post Office. And Johnny has nothing but highest praise for this very young and delightful lady. He agrees with me that she will be an excellent replacement for him; after all, she has dimples and is very pretty with a totally charming smile.

Born in Lindsey, California, she has somehow made her way to our small area, living on the border between POC and Seadrift. She grew up there in Lindsey, a small town, attending high school with her brothers and sisters. And then came to Texas to marry and create a family.

Asking about her impression of POC, she loves it. Says it is a very delightful community where everyone knows each other; are polite and community oriented. Her dreams are to continue working here until she is eligible for retirement, which will be a long time in the future.

Christina is one of those very unusual women who are totally people oriented; she is extremely dedicated to her work and is completely cognizant of the complications of her position. We just hope that she will continue in the long line of people who have held this office.

Back in the 40’s our mail was forwarded to us by train from Victoria to Seadrift, and then carried from there by a local gentleman. Along the way, though, he would provide “bus” service to our school for some of the children in the outlying areas. I had heard that Hugh Hawes would then dispense the mail from his home on Main at Second Street. Some time around that period, Miss Edna Whittaker took care of Port O’Connor’s mail, a job which she most throughly enjoyed, as the late Miss Whittaker would say.

Our first actual PostMistress was our charming Ms. Agnes Valigura who worked in the “old” post office on Main Street. Ms. Agnes told me one day that the residents had to build a restroom for her as she was the only feminine employee; she also spoke of the number of baby chickens several residents would order that sat on the floor in a box creating their form of music in the building.

Following Ms. Agnes and presiding over the new building on Adams at 6th Street was Henry Pontgratz, and Henry served our community with knowledge and care. Assisting Henry was Ms. Alice Reed. And following his retirement, came Johnny, with Alice assisting for several years. And now Christina.

Going back to the 40’s and early 50’s in our community was a time when neighbors knew each other; when property lines were never disputed; when the local mode of transportation was walking, unless as a child you owned a bicycle with big tires. And as you walked down the street from the local grocery or post office, you greeted each oncomer with a smile and a query as to their day. When a neighbor was injured or became sick or needed help, all neighbors would help. Currently, we haven’t lost that completely, as now when we see someone in our post office, we do smile and acknowledge them. This is the joy of a small community, and, hopefully, may we never lose it.

Old Port O’Connor Post Office, now a private residence

Port O’Connor Post Office photos by Sue Kubecka