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May 15, 2023
Today in Texas History
By Bandera Spirits of Texas
The Bandera Prophet
By Bandera Spirits of Texas
The Bandera Prophet
On this day in 1888, the Port Isabel lighthouse was temporarily extinguished. Located on State Highway 100, in Port Isabel, southeastern Cameron County, the lighthouse was built by the United States government in 1852-53.
The brick lighthouse had a light that consisted of four lamps on an iron platform. It was reported in 1854 that the lighthouse stood 57 feet above the ground and 82 feet above sea level. The light was visible for 16 miles and was produced by 21 reflectors and fifteen lamps.
In 1887 it was discovered that the United States government did not have title to the land, and the lighthouse was closed the following year. The government, refusing to give up, sought title to the land and acquired it in 1894. The lighthouse was permanently abandoned, as no longer needed, in 1905, and the site was restored as the Port Isabel Lighthouse Historic Structure in the 1950s.
The Bandera Prophet
On this day in 1888, the Port Isabel lighthouse was temporarily extinguished. Located on State Highway 100, in Port Isabel, southeastern Cameron County, the lighthouse was built by the United States government in 1852-53.
The brick lighthouse had a light that consisted of four lamps on an iron platform. It was reported in 1854 that the lighthouse stood 57 feet above the ground and 82 feet above sea level. The light was visible for 16 miles and was produced by 21 reflectors and fifteen lamps.
In 1887 it was discovered that the United States government did not have title to the land, and the lighthouse was closed the following year. The government, refusing to give up, sought title to the land and acquired it in 1894. The lighthouse was permanently abandoned, as no longer needed, in 1905, and the site was restored as the Port Isabel Lighthouse Historic Structure in the 1950s.