401 Commerce Street, Palacios, Texas 77465

(361)972-1148

(361)972-1148

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    • Forrest Bess
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  • Programs
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    • PK-12 Outreaches & Tours
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  • Speakeasy Gala
    • 2nd Annual Speakeasy Gala
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  • More
    • Home
    • About Us
      • Who We Are
      • Meet Our Staff
      • Our Building
      • Palacios History
      • FAQ
    • Exhibits
      • Forrest Bess
      • Permanent Exhibits
      • Upcoming Exhibits
    • Programs
      • Programming
      • Tours
      • Camps
    • Education
      • PK-12 Outreaches & Tours
      • Resources and Collections
    • Get Involved
      • Membership
      • Volunteer
      • Donate
    • Speakeasy Gala
      • 2nd Annual Speakeasy Gala
      • Sponsorship Levels
    • Events
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Our Building
    • Palacios History
    • FAQ
  • Exhibits
    • Forrest Bess
    • Permanent Exhibits
    • Upcoming Exhibits
  • Programs
    • Programming
    • Tours
    • Camps
  • Education
    • PK-12 Outreaches & Tours
    • Resources and Collections
  • Get Involved
    • Membership
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
  • Speakeasy Gala
    • 2nd Annual Speakeasy Gala
    • Sponsorship Levels
  • Events
City by the Sea Museum

Our Exhibits

Karankawas

La Belle Excavation

La Belle Excavation

The Museum features artifacts and replicas of items related to the Karankawas who were the native inhabitants of this area. It also features 3 murals depicting the Karankawas way of life. 

La Belle Excavation

La Belle Excavation

La Belle Excavation

The museum features an exhibit about Palacios' role along with items found in the excavation and includes a feature length film about the Excavation of La Belle. 

La Petite Belle

La Belle Excavation

La Petite Belle

La Petite Belle sailing on Tres Palacios Bay

La Petite Belle is a half scale seaworthy reproduction of Rene-Robert Cavelier’s ship La Belle. It is currently located within walking distance from the museum at the South Bay Marina. 

Camp Hulen

Shrimping Industry

La Petite Belle

Camp Hulen began as a Texas National Guard Camp in the mid-1920s and became an anti-aircraft artillery training base during WWII in the 1940s.  Rita Hayworth, Artie Shaw, and other entertainers came to entertain the troops. 

Shrimping Industry

Shrimping Industry

Shrimping Industry

Palacios is known as the Shrimp Capital of Texas. The shrimping industry began in the 1920s with the Bates being the first shrimping family to settle in Palacios. This exhibit features tools from the beginnings of the shrimping industry to the present. 

Working the Land

Shrimping Industry

Shrimping Industry

Agriculture was and still is a big part of Palacios' way of life. The museum features a collection of farm implements and ranch tools from the 19th and 20th Centuries.  

Education through the Years in Palacios

Education through the Years in Palacios

Education through the Years in Palacios

The first school opened in Palacios in 1905. This exhibit tells about the early beginnings of Palacios ISD to the present day. 

Practicing Medicine in Palacios

Education through the Years in Palacios

Education through the Years in Palacios

This exhibits tells the history about 2 doctors who practiced medicine in Palacios in the early 1900s to 1980s. The exhibits features medical tools donated by Dr. Sanford's family.  

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Palacios Area Historical Association

401 Commerce Street, Palacios, TX 77465

(361) 972-1148

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