This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
The Golden Age for Port Isabel 1870 1904
The Rio Grande Railroad shifted Port Isabel from a hilltown to a rail adjacent commercial hub. Warehouses saloons hotels and homes clustered along the tracks while the hill housed the lighthouse. The hurricane of 1867 devastated Brazos Island and rival towns as rail transport eclipsed river trade. Ships crews and weekend visitors marked thirty four booming years before continued history is continued on page 10.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Brownsville
Point Isabel
Brazos Island
Bagdad
Clarksville
Rio Grande
Texas
Mexico