History

The U.S.S. Forrestal – America’s 1st jet age aircraft supercarrier left today on the way to Port Brownsville to begin her dismantling. She will arrive here in approximately 18 days coming from the Philadelphia Navy Yard. After almost 4 decades of active distinguished service, they’ll drag this behemoth right past SPI shores 20 miles up … Continue reading »

Click for big Ahoy! Thar be treaaye here. South Padre Island is home to many tales of treasure found and lost. The money hill of John Singer is one of the most famous. He was a wealthy SPI rancher raising cattle who owned a substantial portion of the island during the mid 1800s. The story … Continue reading »

On the southern end of South Padre Island, there’s an old boat anchored in the bay between Pier 19 and the Coast Guard station. A hermit was living on it who would paddle a little raft back and forth to the shore. He’s gone now, but the boat is still there if anyone would like … Continue reading »

The “Christ of the Fishermen” memorial is located at the southern tip of South Padre Island in Isla Blanca Park. The inscription reads: FATHER! RECEIVE THE SOULS OF THE BRAVE FISHERMAN WHO HAVE SAILED THROUGH THIS PASS AND NEVER RETURNED

The South Padre Island water towers were repainted this year. They look great.

Stills, then implosion video from multiple angles, live sound at end. On December 13, 2009, the unfinished Ocean Tower known locally as “The Leaning Tower of South Padre” was brought down with a controlled implosion. Work on the island’s condominium tower began in 2006 but construction was halted in 2008 due to uneven settlement. It … Continue reading »