South Padre Island in Cameron County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Padre J. Nicolas Balli
Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, February 7, 2025
1. Padre J. Nicolas Balli Marker
Padre Island, off the South Texas coast, is named for Padre Jose Nicolas Balli (177?-1829), whose family migrated from Spain in 1569 and became large landowners in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. In 1800 Balli applied to King Charles IV of Spain for 11 1/2 leagues of land on the island, and in 1804 started its first settlement, Rancho Santa Cruz. Padre Balli served as collector of finances for all the churches in the Rio Grande Valley and founded the first mission in present Cameron County. Padre Balli's ministry was a great influence on the lives of early South Texas settlers.
Erected 1983 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3909.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1569.
Location. 26° 5.099′ N, 97° 10.041′ W. Marker is on South Padre Island, Texas, in Cameron County. It is on Queen Isabella Causeway 0.1 miles west of Padre Boulevard, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: South Padre Island TX 78597, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South Texas. It is also in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Queen Isabella Causeway Collapse Loss Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); 1923 Point Isabel Coast Guard Building (approx. Ύ mile away); Brazos Santiago (approx. 1.2 miles away); Rio Grande Rail Road Company
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Brazos Santiago Pass and Brazos Island Military Depot (was approx. 1.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing); A View from the Top (was approx. 2½ miles away but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . Padre Balli History. TSHA Texas State Historical Association (Submitted on September 16, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, February 7, 2025
2. Padre J. Nicolas Balli Marker
Photographed by James Hulse, July 16, 2016
3. Padre J. Nicolas Balli Statue and Marker
Photographed by James Hulse, July 16, 2016
4. The Entrance to South Padre Island is near the marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,131 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 24, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 3, 4. submitted on September 16, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
