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South Padre Island, Texas is a popular waterfront resort community.

South Padre Island TX History

The Karankawa Indians were the first to inhabit the island. The “Kronks” wintered on the mainland and spent the summer on the island. By 1521, gold and silver were being mined in Mexico and shipped to Spain. Numerous galleons laden with treasure were blown off course to Padre Island, where they ran onto sand bars and sank. In 1553, three ships wrecked, leaving 300 passengers who swam to shore. After 6 days, they were surrounded by over 100 Indians who showered them with arrows. The castaways fled south to Mexico, but only 2 men survived the trip. Spanish divers later recovered half of the cargo of silver coins. Over the centuries, treasure hunters have found some of the coins that now, by law, belong to the state.

Around 1800, the pirate Jean Lafitte ranged around Padre Island. In 1804, Padre Jose Nicolas Balli, a Catholic Missionary Priest, founded a settlement on South Padre Island where he raised cattle and horses.

The development of the resort town of South Padre Island began in the early 1920's. In 1964, a channel was completed, separating South Padre Island from Padre Island forever. In 1974, the 2.5 mile long Queen Isabella Causeway, the longest bridge in Texas, was completed.

South Padre Island Texas – For Treasure Hunting, Fishing & Sailing

Today, senior travelers to South Padre Island Texas enjoy treasure hunting and all types of water sports including fishing and sailing.