Ray Davila

El Senor & Senora Ray Davila and their children arrived in Port Lavaca in March 1954 on their way to Rosenberg, Texas from General Teran, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

Originally Mr. Davila’s brother was to have brought them to Texas and Mr. Ray had $100 seed money to start in Texas but his brother was not able to bring them to Texas, so Mr. Davila rented a taxi at the border for him and his family. It cost him $80.00 to get to Port Lavaca. He had family members here in Port Lavaca and they were able to get a one room building across the street (what is now Chavana’s Grocery Store). Some of the family members were the Delgado and Camacho. Their son Alex remembers their first Easter in Port Lavaca. The family had an outing and Easter egg hunt at the LaSalle Monument. That was his first encounter with our beach area, it was cold, gulf coast breeze blowing and trying to hunt Easter Eggs? When he thinks of hunts, he remembers the cold, cold wind whipping them around.

They were going to stay in Port Lavaca till they acquired enough money to complete their journey to Rosenberg – which was their intended destination. But as Alex said, “I guess we have not made enough money yet to continue the move.” But in reality, I believe they found how great and warm Port Lavaca can be and the roots they were going to plant else where took hold here and it was a win – win situation for all concerned. Port Lavaca opened their arms then, as it continues to do so to new residents. In 1954, Alex Davila estimated residency to be about 2500.

Mr. Davila was also a DJ for the local radio station, playing a variety of music, along with a specified hour for Spanish music. I remember hearing him sing along with the songs and also hearing he and Ms. Tina sing in the church choir of OLG.

Not only did the Davila family profit, but also Calhoun County. The Davila’s opened up their shoe shop in 1954 then purchased the hotel from the Bauer’s. Tina and Ray have been strong supporters of Port Lavaca, especially Main Street and the Main Street Theater. Both Ray and his late wife, Tina, were active members in various organizations in Port Lavaca. There was some discussion about doing something with the “old movie theatre” He, Tina, Lewis and Juanice Madden, and Faye Bauer Sterling and other citizens decided to start fixing up the place. Ray grabbed a hammer and got after the front door, in efforts to start the renovation.

Tina and Ray were strong supporters of the Port Lavaca, Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce for many years. They worked in various functions, from serving food, cleaning up, greeting people, to collecting tickets, they were there to help. I am very aware how much they helped the chamber. There were times I needed help at the chamber, since I was the only office personnel at the time, I would call Tina, and asked if she could help me for a little while, never, did she ask what can do I need to do. It was I am on my way, then when she got there, “OK, show me or tell me what to do.” Mr. Ray, is the same way. Not only have they been good citizens, neighbors, stewards, but good friends. It is our pleasure the Calhoun County Culture and Cuisine recognize Mr. Ray Davila as an Out Standing Citizen with the key to the City presented by Mayor Jack Whitlow.

The Beach Hotel remains intact even after Hurricane Carla destroyed many of the other surroundings.

The Beach Hotel, Part 2

Calhoun County Library has become like my second home; I’ve been spending numerous hours browsing through the books that hold insight into years past. As I drove to the library this morning, I decided to take a detour and drive down Main Street first; to my surprise it was quite busy. I found it difficult to find a parking spot so I headed to my intended destination.

I was eager to flip the pages of a new book… As often occurs, a reader contacted the Dolphin Talk with a lead after reading the first article of Strolling Down Main Street. After exchanging several emails, I had the pleasure of meeting Walter M. Spiller.

Walter was born in Austin, Texas on January 26, 1948 and moved to this area in the 50s. His father was a farmer and Walter grew up around corn husks and cotton in the Seadrift area. In 1956, the family moved to Port Lavaca. He graduated from Calhoun High School and joined the Army. Sitting across from Walter, surrounded by so much history, made me realize how similar we were. I remember I couldn’t wait to leave the little town where I grew up. I ran away to Houston only three months after graduating from high school. The Army and work took Walter as far as South Korea, finally settling in Dallas, Texas where he spent the next ten years.

Nearly thirty years after leaving Port Lavaca, Walter returned in 1996. “I missed the old place and the old times I had here,” he wrote in a book he’s put together, Looking Back on East Main Street, Port Lavaca. The book is 451 pages and counting. Walter has gone above and beyond to collect data from old newspapers, city directories and county records. His quest began much like my own. He stumbled upon old local newspapers from the 60s and was immediately intrigued. “I started seeing articles and pictures of old people and places that I remembered from when I was growing up here,” Walter said. “A scrapbook turned into this labor of love.”

Walter and I talked about the Beach Hotel, Roemerville, the railroad and his book. I suddenly had a wealth of knowledge put directly in front of me. An interesting aspect of the book is Walter has not only researched each of the buildings on East Main Street, but he has outlined a timeline of owners and photos of the current state of the buildings. He has even gone back and interviewed the current owners.

I flipped to the summary of the building located on 101 South Commerce (SE corner of Main and Commerce). The section begins with photos of the Seascape Apartments he took in 2008; the building looks as it does today. I learned that Thomas Haynes was the original owner of lot 5. Mrs. Araline (Hughes) Brooks, owner of lot 6, defaulted on her taxes in December of 1848; in turn Thomas Haynes purchased the property for $25.01 and had possession of both lots on this block in late 1848. Early on in the book, Walter explains how early Port Lavaca was laid out. Thomas McConnell, a merchant and Republic of Texas Congressman, purchased his portion of the original Maximo Sanches grant in 1841, laying out eighty city blocks, each made up of twelve lots. This became known as the Lavaca Townsite.

The site which was to become the Beach Motel had ten owners before C.U. Yanchey built the motel. At this point, the motel was built on lots 5, 6 and twenty feet of the east end of lots 7 and 8 of Block 8 of the original Lavaca Townsite. In 1921, Mrs. Frank Bauer purchased the hotel and renamed it Lavaca Hotel. It remained in the family for fifty-seven years before the Davilas took over ownership, renaming the hotel the Seascape Apartments.

I found one of the multiple lot owners in particular very interesting: Wesley Ogden. Born in Monroe County on December 16, 1818, he took over ownership in 1856. Ogden practiced law in Port Lavaca from 1849 until 1863, at this point he left due to his strong views as a Unionist and opponent of the Civil War. However, following his return home, his career both public and legal flourished. He was appointed U.S. Attorney in 1866; a year later he became the District Judge. In 1879 he was appointed to the Supreme Court of Texas by Governor E.J. Davis. By this point he was living in San Antonio and sold the property to Ann Chichester. And all this time, through hurricanes and time, the building remains standing and appears the same, even after over one hundred years. Astonishing… indeed.

It’s incredible the amount of information which Walter has collected. I want to personally thank him for allowing me to study his book. Anyone interested in obtaining a copy of Walter’s book, which will be available at the Calhoun County Museum in the near future, can contact him at walter@laward.net.

Till next time, you can catch me strolling down Main Street!

The book, Looking Back on East Main Street, Port Lavaca, which Walter M. Spiller has put together over the years.

The Miller Family of Café Jocelynn’s

Hungry? Would a Club Sandwich hit the spot – or maybe you’d like something a little more exotic, like blackened chicken breast with pepper jack cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, Tabasco, and ranch dressing served on a jalapeno sourdough bun? You can choose from more than 20 sandwiches, plus pitas and hot dogs at Café Jocelynn’s in Port O’Connor.

Truly a “mom and pop” business, Café Joycelynn’s is owned and operated by John and Lidia Miller, who established their business with the encouragement of Port O’Connor resident Major Howell and his wife Diane, and part-time resident Johnny Holland.

Chef John Miller has been cooking since he was 15 years old. He began by making “blooming onions” at Outback Steakhouse, and helped in the opening of three of that chain’s locations. He has worked with several notable chefs at a number of restaurants including TGI Friday’s and the Landry’s Corporation. Before moving to our area, John was the chef at Brio Tuscan Grille in The Woodlands.

“Lidia does what I don’t, or can’t, do,” John said. Having worked for the largest catering company in the Houston area, Lidia has the knowledge needed to carry out the other part of their business –catering. They cater all types of parties, both large and small, including meals for businesses and individual families. “We cook anything – anywhere,” said John. Both are experienced in all types of cuisines, but Lidia’s specialty is authentic Mexican cuisine. She also makes cakes, pastries and cookies for all occasions.

Lidia’s artistic talent can be seen in the signs around Café Joycelynn’s and her green thumb is displayed in all the lovely plants on the porch of the restaurant.

The restaurant is named for their daughter, a fourth grader at Port O’Connor School. “We love the school here – the teachers and the students. Jocelynn has excelled here,” said John. When not in school, Jocelynn loves to help out at the restaurant, doing anything and everything her parents will let her.

“We enjoy meeting and serving the tourists,” John said, “but local support is critical. The people who live here brought us here, and locals telling others about our good food, bring others in. We are steadily becoming more involved in the community and want to continue serving it to the best of our ability.”

So, if you’re hungry for a sandwich, have a party coming up, want a special meal for your family or friends, or have freshly caught fish you want grilled in any of several delicious ways, stop by Café Jocelynn’s or give them a call at 361-746-1513.

Café Jocelynn’s is located on Highway 185 just past Bob’s Bar. Their hours are: Sunday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.

Thanks to the Intercoastal 4-H Club and other Port O’Connor locals, Kingfisher Beach received a good clean-up on Saturday, September 22. Participating in the effort were: Elizabeth Carey, Brenley Walters, Tristan Krenek; Blake Walters; Carly Rosenboom; John Rosenboom; Tarah Munsch; Andrea Munsch; Justin Munsch; Calvin Ragusin, Jr.; Antonio Gloria; Teresa Krenek; L’Roy Bell; Carol Rosenboom; Daniel Gayle; Roxanne Ochoa; Isaiah Ochoa; and Co-ordinator, Debbie Gayle.

County Agent Rhonda Cummins reports there were 133 volunteers cleaning up Magnolia Beach. They collected 46 bags of trash, along with other items like tires.

Laurie Weaver’s group from Hope High School cleaned up by the causeway in Point Comfort. Thirteen students picked up 21 bags of trash.

Connie Wooldridge and the Lakeside 4-H Club cleaned up Swan Point. Fifteen volunteers picked up five bags of trash at that site.

Thanks to all for keeping our beaches clean.