Port Isabel in Cameron County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Port of Matamoros

Photographed By Debbi Hook, February 26, 2009

1. Port of Matamoros Marker

Inscription. The Port of Matamoros was established in 1824. Commercial cargo, shipped mainly from New Orleans and other U.S. ports, was unloaded at the Port and transported overland to Matamoros, Reynosa, Camargo, Monterrey, and Mier. Mexico maintained a garrison and at least one Navy vessel at the Port. This area was the site of numerous Naval encounters between the U.S. and Mexico in 1836-37, during and after the Texas Revolution. Jurisdiction over the Port was finally settled in 1846 when forces of U.S. General Zachary Taylor occupied the area at the outset of the Mexican War.

Erected 1995 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4082.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Mexican-American • War, Texas Independence • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #12 Zachary Taylor series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1824.

Location. 26° 4.699′ N, 97° 12.416′ W. Marker is in Port Isabel, Texas, in Cameron County. Marker can be reached from Maxan Road. Located to the left of Pirates Landing Restaurant and the right of Pirates Landing Pier. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Port Isabel TX 78578, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker

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. Old Point Isabel Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); A View from the Top (within shouting distance of this marker); Point Isabel Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Fort Polk (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Port Isabel, C.S.A. (about 700 feet away); Charles Champion (about 800 feet away); Queen Isabel Inn (approx. 0.2 miles away); Port Isabel Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Isabel.

Additional commentary.
1. Brazos Santiago Harbor
It was also known as Brazos Santiago Harbor, and Los Brazos de Santiago. This naturally occuring deep water harbor, provided a safe anchorage for deep draft sailing vessels, that could not cross the shallow sand bar blocking the mouth of the Rio Grande. Shallow draft river steamboats would lighter the cargo from these deep sea cargo vessels. They would then navigate up river on the Rio Grande as far as Camargo, Tamaulipas, and Rio Grande City, Texas. This naturally occuring deep water harbor, situated in the extreme Northwest corner of the Gulf of Mexico, was also the landing place of Spanish conquistadores, dating as far back as 1519, looking for the elusive Darien Straight, a short cut to China.

The area around the Port of Matamoros Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, January 22, 2021

2. The area around the Port of Matamoros Marker

Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted November 7, 2010, by Joseph P. Linck, Jr of Brownsville, Texas.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2009, by Debbi Hook of Laguna Vista, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,677 times since then and 112 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 28, 2009, by Debbi Hook of Laguna Vista, Texas. 2. submitted on January 26, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.