Port Aransas in Nueces County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Mercer Family on Mustang Island

Photographed by James Hulse, August 31, 2021

1. The Mercer Family on Mustang Island Marker

Inscription. Robert Ainsworth Mercer (1799-1875) arrived on Mustang Island ca. 1855. After starting a small settlement, Mercer was appointed Nueces County's Wreck Master, with oversight of the disposition of vessels lost crossing Aransas Pass. His sons, John (1840-1896) and Edward (Ned) (1842-?), served as Aransas Pass Bar Pilots. In 1880, John became the first keeper of the Aransas Life Saving Station, which later became the U.S. Coast Guard Station that continues today. The activities of the Mercer family were documented in exhaustive journals from 1866 through 1877 and these texts were preserved by successive Mercer descendants, recognizing the family's influence on the area's history.
175 Years of Texas Independence - 1836-2011

Erected 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16851.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.

Location. 27° 50.137′ N, 97° 3.661′ W. Marker is in Port Aransas, Texas, in Nueces County. It is at the intersection of North Alister Street and East Brundrett Avenue, on the left when traveling south on North Alister Street. The marker is located in front of the Port Aransas Museum.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 North Alister Street, Port Aransas TX 78373, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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 walking distance of this marker: Mustang Island (here, next to this marker); Tarpon Inn (approx. 0.2 miles away); Port Aransas Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); U.S. Coast Guard on Mustang Island (approx. 0.4 miles away); Aransas Pass (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gun Locations (approx. half a mile away); World War II Coastal Defenses at the Aransas Pass (approx. half a mile away); Oil Storage Facility (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Aransas.

Also see . . . Mustang Island.

Capt. Robert Mercer brought the first family to Mustang Island and built the first house there at what he called El Mar Rancho in 1853. Mrs. Mercer is reputed to have been the first White woman in the area. Herds of mustangs roamed the island when Mercer arrived. A quarantine station was established at the north end in 1879 and later moved across Lydia Ann Channel to Harbor Island. The first life-saving station in the area was established on the north end in 1880. Source: The Handbook of Texas

(Submitted on October 1, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The Mercer Family on Mustang Island Marker is the marker on the right of the two markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 31, 2021

2. The Mercer Family on Mustang Island Marker is the marker on the right of the two markers

The markers are next to the Port Aransas Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 31, 2021

3. The markers are next to the Port Aransas Museum

Another view of the markers at the Port Aransas Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 31, 2021

4. Another view of the markers at the Port Aransas Museum

Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 751 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 1, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.