Rockport Pilot, The
Rockport, Aransas County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The earliest newspaper in this area was "The Vaquero," published by Charles F. Bailey and Geraldo A. Beeman in St. Mary's in 1868. In 1869 Bailey moved to Rockport and founded "The Transcript," which continued in operation until 1886. Two years later "The Rockport Enterprise" began, and in 1916 it merged with the new "Rockport Pilot." Other local newspapers existed for short periods, but since its beginning "The Pilot" has been the area's primary news source, focusing on Aransas County issues and events. (1990)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
The area's first newspaper, 'The Vaquero,' appeared in nearby St. Mary's in 1868, and its publisher Charles Bailey moved to Rockport the next year to found 'The Transcript.' A succession of papers followed, until 'The Rockport Enterprise' merged with the new 'Rockport Pilot' in 1916. Since then 'The Pilot' has been the county's steady voice, chronicling Aransas County's life and events.
Why it matters
The local newspaper was the connective tissue of a small American town, and the long lineage behind 'The Pilot' shows how a community kept its own record across generations.
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Related people
- · Charles F. Bailey
- · Geraldo A. Beeman
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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