South Padre Island
Before the arrival of European settlers in North America, the island was inhabited by native tribes. Western settlement is considered to have been started by Padre Jose Nicolas Balli, who set up a cattle ranch early in the 19th century. He and his family were driven out by the Mexican–American War and were unable to return because of the American Civil War.
Most of the island was closed by the National Park Service until 1962, after which settlement was not allowed, and incomers began to establish an economy on the island and neighboring Port Isabel. By 1978, the island had a population of around 314; a decade later, it had a population of 1,012 and 111 businesses. Being mainly coastline, the island's main source of income is tourism, with tens of thousands of college students flocking to the island every Spring Break. In winter, the island hosts "winter Texans": people (often retirees) from colder states who winter in the warm Texas climate. Isla Blanca Park, a preserve and recreational park, is located at the southern end of the island.
See also
References
- ^ "Isla Blanca Park - Cameron County". Cameron County, Texas. Archived from the original on 25 January 2010.
Sources
- Lonard, R.I.; Judd, F.W. (1981). The Terrestrial Flora of South Padre Island, Texas. Texas Memorial Museum, University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
- Judd, Frank W.; Summy, Kenneth R.; Lonard, Robert I.; Mazariegos, Ruben (2008). "Dune and Vegetation Stability at South Padre Island, Texas, United States of America". Journal of Coastal Research. 244: 992–998. doi:10.2112/07-0841.1. ISSN 0749-0208.
External links
- Padre Island from the Handbook of Texas Online
- Destination South Padre Island
26°15′50″N 97°11′20″W / 26.264°N 97.189°W
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