Moments in Time is a collection of recovered newspaper briefs and other publications, compiled by local historian, Steve Hathcock, offering a look back at the history of the Rio Grande Valley.
Steve Hathcock is a local historian and a regular columnist for the Port Isabel South Padre Press. He has spent many years collecting and sharing the history of the Rio Grande Valley, as well as treasure hunting and formerly owning an Island-based bookstore.
Steam Engine for Sale
A fine, new, four horse-power Ruddick Engine, with governor complete for sale at a bargain. These engines are celebrated above all others, and or adopted to every purpose where an engine can be used A larger or smaller horse power engine will be included and if required, either one at a bargain. For particulars inquire at THIS OFFICE. (Daily Ranchero (Brownsville Texas) Sept 6, 1866)
Salesmen’s Opportunity
Great development on Padre Island. Our plans include causeway from Point Isabel to Padre Island.
A modern up-to-date city, on the island with paved streets, sidewalks, water, electric lights, etc. Also hotels, apartments, homes, casino, bath houses and other amusements. Selling campaign begins in few days. Instruction for salesmen begins Tuesday, July 1st, 11 a. m. in Reese-Wil-Mond Hotel, Room 411.
Make your application now. For Brownsville and surrounding territory see Mr. Adams, Reese-Wil-Mond Hotel, Harlingen.
For McAllen and surrounding territory see Mr. Murrelle, Reese-Wil-Mond Hotel, Harlingen.
For Harlingen and surrounding territory see Mrs. Campbell, Reese-Wil-Mond Hotel, Harlingen. (Valley Morning Star Sun, Jun 29, 1930.)
Veteran South Pacific flier makes daring rescue on Padre Island
After such soft touches as Guadalcanal, Munda, and the battle for New Georgia, Capt. John T. Grace, director of flying at the Laguna Madre Sub-Base, has just passed another milestone in the flying career.
While rescuing a fellow flyer who had parachuted to safety from a fighter plane involved in an accident, Capt. Grace landed a BT-13 and took off again from the soggy sands of Padre Island, wild and wooly little stretch of ground located just a short way out in the Gulf of Mexico where gunnery missions are flown.
Capt. Grace, along with Lt. Paul A. Martin, spotted the pilot who was slightly injured, about 300 yards off shore from the small island. They levelled off for a landing and stopped after rolling about 50 to 75 feet.
The two pilots waded out to the airman and brought him back to 13 and prepared to take off. But the shore, placed him in the BT-landing was a simple matter when compared to taking off, according to the captain.
On the fifth attempt, however, the ship slowly rose above the sandy waste of Padre Island and the airman was flown to the hospital at the main base. Lt. Martin stayed behind and was later picked up by a crash boat. The injured pilot is now recovering in the hospital here. (Valley Morning Star Sat, Nov 18, 1944)
Editor’s Note: Built in the early 1940s near Bayview, the Laguna Madre Sub-Base served as a vital World War II satellite facility for Harlingen Army Airfield and its 79th Flying Training Wing.
Positioned strategically on the coast, the sub-base was the operational launch point for hazardous live-ammunition gunnery and target-towing missions over the Gulf of Mexico. Because training flights faced frequent mechanical issues, teams here routinely staged emergency beach rescues on nearby Padre Island.
Decommissioned in 1963 after brief post-war stints as a Navy station and radar site, the facility is now the Port Isabel-Cameron County Airport. Today, a massive 1942 maintenance hangar still stands on the grounds as a permanent landmark of South Texas’s wartime history.
Tourists Left Adrift When Oil Line Breaks
PORT ISABEL, Feb. 15—Some fifty fishermen and winter tourists were left adrift in the bay Sunday afternoon when the oil line of a passenger motorboat broke.
The drifting boat was sighted by persons aboard a cabin cruiser, “Trade Winds” which took the passenger boat in tow for the return trip to Port Isabel from Padre Island. (Valley Morning Star Mon, Feb 16, 1953)