AREA ATTRACTIONS

Local Treasures

Visitors will want to discover all of these Sealy gems.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LORI OLIVAREZ-LIGUES

St. John Episopal Church in Sealy was one of three churches established in 1885, shortly after the town of Sealy was founded. George Sealy, a prominent Episcopalian, on behalf of the Gulf Colorado and Santa Fe Railway Company, sold a plot of land on June 17, 1880, to Episcopal Bishop Gregg for the sum of one dollar with the specific intention of building an Episcopal Church.

The original plot of land for the “Chapel of the Protestant Episcopal Church” was 30 x 150 lot on Meyer between 1st and 2nd Streets. St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church as it was called at that time was built for $1,500 and had a seating capacity of 100 people. The congregation was made up of railroad families. Bishop Alexander Gregg described it as “very comely and a joy to the faithful.” Today, St. John’s Episcopal Church is the oldest church in continuous use in Sealy, Texas.

The Abe & Irene Levine Family Park is located at 406 Main Street (centrally located, across the street from City Hall). The ammenities include playground equipment, gazebo, pavilion, sand volleyball courts, covered picnic tables, and restrooms.

The Sealy Business & Professional Womens’ Park is located at 1008 Main Street (northwest area of town). Ammenities include a T-ball field, three baseball fields, a softball field, playground equipment, basketball courts and tennis courts, a fishing lake, walking/jogging track, pavilion, covered picnic tables, a soccer field and accessible restrooms. New nets have been installed at the tennis courts and may be picked up at City Hall. The public can reserve the park, tennis courts and nets in advance by calling (979) 885-3511.

A historic landmark dating back to 1856, Saddleback Saloon embraces her history while continuing to grow with Tom Mendenhall at the helm since September of 2015.

“All the bricks are made from Brazos River clay,” shared Mendenhall. “There’s a lot of history behind it. It was featured from the 50s to the 90s in films, including Clint Black’s first music video, a few movies and even a Budweiser advertisement, in England of all places.”

St. John Episcopal Church of Sealy is the oldest church in continuous use in Sealy,.

The Haynes-Felcman House is located at the intersection of Hardeman Street and Main Street, on the left when traveling north on Hardeman Street in Sealy.

Second from top, Mark A. Chapman Park; bottom, Saddleback Saloon in downtown Sealy.

After retiring from working in the oil and gas industry for over 41 years, Mendenhall touts his love of people as the reason behind making Saddleback Saloon his full-time gig.

“It’s my masterpiece,” added Mendenhall. “I enjoy every aspect of it. And I am supported by the city, police, EDC – a lot of good people.”

Saddleback Saloon is located at 207 Main Street and patrons are encouraged to follow them on Facebook for updates on their steak nights, pool tournaments, poker games, karaoke, and live music.

The Haynes-Felcman House is located at the intersection of Hardeman Street and Main Street, on the left when traveling north on Hardeman Street in Sealy.

The historical landmark on location reads as follows: This house was built in 1901-1902 for H. Schumacher. It was purchased in 1906 by Richard H. Haynes (1875-1942) who, with his father, founded the Haynes (Sealy) Mattress Company in 1909. Local confectionery store owner F.J. Felcman bought the property in 1927 and added on to the rear in 1929. It remained in his family until 1995. The structure is a fine example of a Queen Anne residence with a projecting front gable decorated with wood shingles, stained glass, and jigsawn brackets. The front porch also displays late Victorian details including wood balusters and frieze. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1999