Island History

Pre-history to the mid-1800's

Karankawa Indians were likely our island’s only residents when Spanish explorer Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda sailed through the pass in 1519 to what he later named Corpus Christi Bay. By the 1700’s the island was known as Wild Horse, the Mustang Island, in reference to the grazing herds of horses introduced by Spanish settlers.

Through the 1840’s the island and pass (now our ship channel) were used by buccaneers, smugglers, merchants and immigrants seeking their (or other’s) fortune. A small fort was built at the north end of the Island during the Mexican War and was again used in the Civil War. A lighthouse was erected on Harbor Island in 1854 to aide increasing sea commerce, and with it began another chapter in the islands history.

Early settlement

In 1855 Robert A. Mercer established the El Mar Rancho and became the first permanent settler on Mustang Island. With his wife and three children he raised cattle and sheep, operated the Mercer Docks and later opened the first general store.

During the War Between the States Union forces occupied the island and most families moved to neighboring St. Joseph Island, returning to resettle the community after the war.

By 1870 the island was home to nearly 300 residents. The need to educate their children became a priority and within two weeks a one room school was built and a teacher hired for $10 a month!

A community develops

After a succession of name changes - Star, The Pass, Mustang Island, Ropesville & Tarpon - the community became known as Port Aransas in 1911 and the treasure of unique and intriguing history grew:

A Congressional Act in 1878 established a life Saving Service on 1.55 acres of Mustang Island, the present site of the U.S. Coast Guard Station.
The Tarpon Inn, built in the 1880’s, became the hub of recreational fishing in Port Aransas. After several reconstructions and surviving five hurricanes from 1942 – 1970, the building is now listed on the U.S. Historical Registry.
The internationally recognized University of Texas Marine Science Institute, founded in 1941, was Texas’ first permanent facility to study ocean life and science.
Port Aransas was the nation’s 12th largest oil shipping port into the 1940’s. During World War II this vital resource was protected against enemy attack by troops, dog patrols and 30mmm gun emplacements.
Port Aransas hosts over 35 fishing tournaments, including the Deep Sea Roundup (formerly the Tarpon Rodeo), and is the destination of the Annual Harvest Moon Regatta - the country’s largest sailing event.
Beginning in the 1970’s protection and preservation of our dunes, beaches and wetlands acknowledged the value and beauty of the natural environment. Today we are proud to announce the development of The Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture, a 1000+ acre wildlife sanctuary along the ship channel side of the island.

Historical Survey of Port Aransas

In April 2006, the Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association (PAPHA) retained the services of Preservation Central, Inc., a historic preservation consulting firm based in Austin, Texas, to conduct a survey of historic resources in central Port Aransas, primarily in Old Town. The report that followed, Port Aransas Historic Resources Survey, can be viewed by clicking on the title. The inventory of historic properties can be viewed by clicking here.

This project was funded in part through a Visionary in Preservation Grant, as administered by the Texas Historical Commission.