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