Steve Hathcock is a local historian, treasure hunter, and columnist for the Port Isabel South Padre Press, where he authors “Moments in Time,” a historical collection of recovered Rio Grande Valley newspaper briefs. A member of the Cameron County Historical Commission since 2010, he served two terms each as Chairman and Vice Chairman, during which the commission earned two Texas Historical Commission Distinguished Service Awards. Hathcock is also a co-founder of the Historical Foundation of South Padre Island and currently serves as the Vice President and Master Historian of the Historical Museum of South Padre Island.
Relic of Old Bagdad Found at Boca Chica
Mute evidence of the fate that was Bagdad’s or possibly Clarkesville’s, flourishing Mexican and American ports near the mouth of the Rio Grande until the storm of October 7, 1867, wiped them both out, has been found by Arthur Lightbourn of Brownsville. Mr. Lightbourn has found a 20 reales gold piece on the beach at Boca Chica that is believed to have been washed up from the ruins of one of the two cities, the sites of which are now under water. The coin is dated 1861 and is about the size of the $2.50 gold coin once minted by the American government. Many coins, dishes and other relics of the storm’s havoc have been found at Boca Chica, says Mr. Lightbourn.
(The Brownsville Herald (Brownsville Texas) July 28, 1926)
Editor’s Note: An 1861 Spanish 20 Reales was 15.0 mm in diameter and weighed 1.67 grams while an American $2.50 gold coin, known as a Quarter Eagle measured 18.0mm in diameter and weighed 4.18 grams. As of Sept 14, 2026, gold was priced at 4,311.50 an ounce or $138.72 per gram. The numismatic value of an 1861 20 Reales gold piece varies from around $250 – $320 in fine or very fine condition to $520 – $700 in mint condition.
Valley farmer to experiment with seaweed, kelp, or whatever you want to call it, as a fertilizer. Last year, if you remember, countless tons of kelp were washed ashore on Brazos Island. Col. Sam Robertson advanced the idea that this “weed of the sea” should and would make good fertilizer. He had seen it tried in Canada, so have we. Also, in France and England. Col. Sam said he thought our kelp was the same variety as used in Canada and abroad. Good chance for somebody to try something. Or for our Valley experiment station. This is a legitimate “something for nothing” proposition. Should be interesting. Let’s give it a thorough try-out. (The Brownsville Herald Brownsville, Texas Wed, Oct 7, 1931)
CANNON BALL OF CIVIL WAR TYPE FOUND AT BOCA CHICA
An old canon ball which conjures up visions of General Zach Taylor and Union-Confederate struggles has been found in the Boca Chica sands by E. E. Wilmeth, road and bridge maintenance foreman. The old ball, six inches in diameter and weighing 22¼ pounds, is believed to be loaded with powder and slugs. It has a hole in one side which is filled by a steel plug driven in against a rubber cushion. The plug and cushion are held in place by lead. Although the old ball has been in the sands for at least a half a century, the rubber in the cushion is still “live”. Wilmeth has given the souvenir to W. O. Washington, county engineer, who has a sizeable collection of relics gathered in this section The ball was found in the sands about a half a mile up the mainland side from the Boca Chica bridge.
(The Brownsville Herald (Brownsville Texas) Dec 23, 1934)
Editor’s Note: At the onset of the Mexican War in 1846, General Zachary Taylor utilized this strategic coastal gateway to establish a vital supply base at nearby Point Isabel, marching his troops through the area to construct Fort Texas (later renamed Fort Brown). Just fifteen years later, during the American Civil War, Boca Chica once again served as a critical corridor for smuggling Confederate cotton into neutral Mexico despite the Union blockade—a bitter coastal struggle that ultimately culminated just a few miles inland at the Battle of Palmito Ranch in May 1865.