In response, a nascent cattle-slaughtering and packing operation at the wharf expanded rapidly, allowing Rockport to be officially incorporated as a town in 1870; its name arising from the rock ledge that runs along the shore.

[6] In 1871, the Mathis cousins teamed up with local ranching families of George W. Fulton and Thomas M. Coleman to raise and slaughter cattle for shipment out of the city's wharf on their steamship line.

After offering free rights of way across the Coleman-Fulton ranch, and hundreds of acres in town lots, finally, in 1888 the railroad arrived.

Another brief growth spurt began and soon ended, here and across Texas, due to some bad winters and the development of the cattle industry in the mid-west.

At the same time, the railroad offered speedy transportation for crops, and a land boom caused by farming followed until brought to a halt with the national Panic of 1893.

The city's fortunes however began to improve in 1925 following the establishment of a lucrative shrimping industry which grew further during the 1930s and benefited from the construction of a harbor in 1935.

Shrimping activity decreased during World War II but recovered thereafter, boosting the town along with an important boat-building industry that developed in this period as well.

[9] One person died in a house fire in the city, unable to be rescued due to the extreme weather conditions,[10] entire blocks were destroyed by the hurricane's violent eyewall winds, the city's courthouse was severely damaged when a cargo trailer was hurled into it, coming to a stop halfway through the structure, the gymnasium of the Rockport-Fulton High School lost multiple walls while the school itself suffered considerable damage,[11] many homes, apartment buildings, and businesses sustained major structural damage from the intense winds, and several were completely destroyed.

[23] Rockport is a popular tourist destination for its access to various forms of marine recreation and attractions such as boating, fishing (bay, offshore, wade, beach, and pier), duck hunting, waterskiing, swimming, birdwatching, and seafood.

Area visitor accommodations are provided by a wide range of lodgings, from small bed and breakfasts to major hotels and RV facilities.

There are a number of marinas, boat-launching ramps, marine service businesses, and ship chandlers in the area (catering to both recreational and commercial vessels of either the sail or power variety).

The Big Blue Crab is a local park and attraction located on the banks of Little Bay next to the historic Sea View Motel.

As the community got well on its way to restoring and cleaning up the damage left from the storm a group was formed and begin plans to have a new Crab Built and set in the place of the old one.

[30] The area around and in Rockport is noted as a prime birdwatching center, located on a major North American migratory bird route, the Central Flyway.