SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TEXAS

Cameron County, Texas Gulf Coast

26° 6' 43" N, 97° 10' 11" W 26.111944, -97.169722
US 77 South to Hwy 100
Hwy 100 East 26 miles to causeway
Access via free causeway
18 miles S of Harlingen
15 miles N of Brownsville, the county seat
Population: 2,816 (2010) 2,422 (2000)

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Queen Isabella Causeway
Photo courtesy Reba Warbington 2001

South Padre Island is connected to Port Isabel by the two-mile-long Queen Isabella Causeway (Park Road 100)

An abandoned boat in the dunes by the Gulf
Photo courtesy Reba Warbington 2002

South Padre Island History

"... The history of the southern part of Padre Island dates from Spanish exploration in the sixteenth century. From the late nineteenth century into the 1950s the only way to reach the area was by ferry. The island had become a resort during the mid-nineteenth century but was not developed until the 1950s after the completion of the Queen Isabella Causeway, now the Queen Isabella State Fishing Pier. A $2.2 million swing bridge connecting Port Isabel to South Padre Island was completed in February 1954...."

From Handbook of Texas Online
http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/SS/hlsus.html

South Padre Island, TX - Padre Island Casino

Padre Island Casino Hotel
Vintage photo courtesy Steve Cruse

South Padre Island Stories

The Lost Treasure of Padre Island
by Murray Montgomery

"Treasure hunting is one of those things which tends to stir the imagination of most folks – and the thought of looking for buried treasure has always fascinated me, as well. ... One of my favorites is the story about John Singer and his buried fortune on Padre Island. ... and today’s treasure hunters are still searching for his lost gold." more

South Padre Island Trips

Jase Graves photo, June 2017

Out of My Shell at South Padre by Jase Graves

Out of My Shell at South Padre by Jase Graves
"[W]hen my family and I were on vacation at South Padre Island recently, I jumped at the chance to witness a release of newly hatched Kemp's ridley sea turtles by Sea Turtle, Inc., an organization devoted to the conservation of all marine turtle species-and to the sleep deprivation of turtle-crazed tourists...." more

Saddle Sore at South Padre by Jase Graves

Dolphins and Fireworks and Toto-Oh My! by Jase Graves

Another view of the Queen Isabella Causeway
Photo courtesy Terri Taylor, March 2005

South Padre Island Tourists Information:

South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce
600 Padre Blvd. South Padre Island, TX 78597
956-761-4412
http://www.spichamber.com/

The South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau
1-800-SOPADRE (767-2373)
http://www.sopadre.com/

Sunset and storm
over Laguna Madre
Photo courtesy
Reba Warbington 2001

South Padre Island Forum

Subject: Padre Island
Our family lived in Weslaco, TX. in the late 40's. One of my fondest memories was our family arriving at Port Isabel with our beach umbrella, folding chairs, Coca Cola "ice chest" and a picnic lunch. We, along with others, waited at the dock for the converted Navy boat to take us to Padre Island, where we climbed into an Army half-track which drove down the beach delivering the eager beach lovers. As the truck drove down the beach, we would look for a place to spend the day. To get the truck to stop, you rapped on the top of its cab and the driver knew to stop so you could unload. The trucks went up and down the beach all day long delivering and picking up people. - Peter H. Hamel, Houston, TX, September 17, 2005

South Padre Island, Texas Area Towns:
Brownsville the county seat
Harlingen
See Cameron County | Texas Gulf Coast

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