January 14, 2018
The Spanish explorer Alonso Álvarez de Pineda visited the area in 1519. By 1700 Spain had established control and the area where the lighthouse is now located became the headquarters of a large Mexican ranch. In 1846, when hostilities between the United States and Mexico appeared likely, General Zachary Taylor moved troops here. Fort Polk became a supply depot and a hospital for wounded after war began.
We loved this old tree on the lighthouse grounds.
Over time, shipping traffic increased and a brick lighthouse was built in 1852 as a navigation aid and served (with closings during the Civil War) until 1905 when shipping traffic declined and the lighthouse was shut down.
This is the only one of the 16 lighthouses in Texas that is open to the public.
Some of the lighthouse’s 99 stairs.
The platform is guarded by this S-shaped railing.
The Queen Isabella Causeway was completed in 1974 and is the longest causeway in Texas.
The view from the top of the lighthouse stretches 16 miles.
Looking north
1 Comment
Jay Waters · March 19, 2018 at 1:54 pm
Good to hear from you again! Looks like a good area to spend the winter!