Marker Inscription
The beacon for the commerce of the Rio Grande; Erected by the United States Government in 1852; Extinguished during the Civil War; Discontinued, 1888-1895; Permanently discontinued, 1905
Historical Marker
Point Isabel Lighthouse, Old
The roadside stories worth pulling over for.
About this site
Point Isabel Lighthouse, Old is a historical marker in Port Isabel, Cameron County, dedicated in 1936. It is one of 116 historical markers documented in Cameron County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 194 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 26.0779, -97.2070 near Port Isabel. The nearest cataloged historic site is Port Isabel (Old Point Isabel) (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Site of Fort Polk, Port of Matamoros, and Point Isabel, C.S.A..
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5061003780. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
History
The Point (Port) Isabel Lighthouse was built in 1852 to guide ships through Brazos Santiago Pass, an 82-foot brick tower authorized by Congress after numerous wrecks along the coast. Both sides used it as an observation post during the Civil War, and after the light was extinguished in 1905 the structure eventually passed to the State of Texas in 1950 and opened to the public in 1952. It is the last Texas lighthouse open to visitors, and a reproduction Fresnel lens was installed in 2022.
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Nearby in Cameron County
Historical Marker
Port Isabel (Old Point Isabel)
Port Isabel · 1972
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Site of Fort Polk
Port Isabel · 1995
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Port of Matamoros
Port Isabel · 1994
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Point Isabel, C.S.A.
Port Isabel · 1964
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Point Isabel Lighthouse
Port Isabel · 1976
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Charles Champion
Port Isabel · 1996
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Queen Isabel Inn
Port Isabel · 1991
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Port Isabel Cemetery
Port Isabel · 1990