The Pier

 

501 E. Maxan St.

 

Standing on the fishing pier or at the top of the lighthouse, you have a spectacular view of the Laguna Madre and the South Padre Island skyline.  Try to imagine it a century ago when it was a barren island with a few ranches and cattle grazing.  In the 1940s you could hire a small boat to ferry you from Port Isabel to the Island for fishing or a day at the beach.  Lots were offered for $100.  One prospective buyer commented, “Why would anyone pay $100 for a pile of sand?”.

     The first causeway opened on February 14, 1954.  It was 1.28 miles long and was built at a cost of  $2,238,952.  Remnants of this bridge can still be seen at the south end of Garcia St.  With an easy access, the Island developed quickly.  The second Queen Isabella Causeway opened on September 28, 1974.  It is 2.6 miles long.   The Island saw a surge in development of condos, homes, and businesses.

    In the early morning of September 15, 2001, a barge collided with the Queen Isabella Causeway.  Causing three sections of the bridge to collapse.  Six vehicles fell 80 ft. into the water.  Eight lives were lost and three people were rescued by fishermen.  Fishing charter boats and dolphin watch boats ferried passengers and supplies between the Island and the mainland.  A few weeks later three car ferries arrived.  After repairs costing over $5 million, the bridge reopened on November 21, 2001.  The structure was renamed the Queen Isabel Memorial Bridge.

 

Currently, The state of Texas is conducting environmental and financial studies on the possibility of building a second causeway to connect to South Padre Island. It would most likely be located north of Port Isabel and be a longer span.