𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐁𝐄𝐋/𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗣𝗔𝗗𝗥𝗘 𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐅𝐒 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝟏𝟗𝟑𝟒 𝐛𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬

                                        

Photo: the completed jetties

The Jetties…

By February of 1934 thirty cars of rocks had made their way to Port Isabel to be used for the construction of what we know today as the jetties. The small boulders came from the New Braunfels quarries destined to make their new home at Santiago Pass.

The rocks were to be used for the north jetty on Padre Island. The stones were known as rip-rap and would serve as the base with a smaller stone than would be placed for topping.

The work schedule meant that 12 cars of stone would be placed per day with one shift of men and when construction was stepped up—20 to 24 cars of stone would be placed daily.

Tarpon Rodeo…

It was months until the fishing rodeo would be begin, but “Doc” Hockaday, chairmen of the event, was all worried. In fact, he was ready to send an S.O.S. His concern was that he had received a lot of responses to participate in the fishing tournament. There was so much enthusiasm around the Valley that he was worried that he would not have enough boats for the visiting sportsmen. The alternative was to invite guides from Corpus Christi to help out.

Lighthouse grounds…

A campaign was started for the beautification of the lighthouse grounds and the grounds around the Port Isabel Co. office. Shrubbery, flowers and general betterment of appearance would greet visiting all visitors to the city.

Musical revue…

For the music lovers and for those that followed the dramatics—the local school students presented a program at the campus auditorium. The school dramatic and choral clubs offered an array of entertainment. Leading the students in their musical presentations was Mrs. McConnell. The dance groups were in the capable hands of Miss Goree.

Brazos Hotel…

The Brazos Hotel, which had been undergoing extensive repairs and improvements was expected to open for business on February the 4 th . The Brazos, formerly the Alder Deck had be closed for months while it went through a complete makeover. When finished, Port Isabel and the Valley would proud to call this hotel one the best in South Texas.

Photo: the completed jetties