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An EGG-citing Easter Hunt Took Place at the Port Isabel Light House
- Updated: April 4, 2024
By Mike Villarreal
On Saturday, March 30, 2024, the Port Isabel Lighthouse hosted its 5th Annual Easter Egg Hunt on its picturesque grounds, starting at 9 am. The Easter Bunny arrived at 9 am, and the egg hunt began at 10 am. This year’s event was a unique kind of “hunt,” with over 20,000 eggs scattered on the lighthouse hill.
The egg hunt was not just about finding the eggs but also about learning the history of the lighthouse.
Among the 20,000 eggs, 1,000 red eggs marked “Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site” contained instructions for a historic hunt. By following the directions, kids and families could learn more about the lighthouse’s fascinating past and earn prizes.
This event was open to the public, and there was no admission fee to participate. The turnout was fantastic, with lots of confetti and fun to go around. Visitors had a great time exploring the lighthouse’s grounds while engaging in the egg hunt.
The Port Isabel Lighthouse is a historic landmark that has been around for more than a century, standing through the days of the Spaniards, the US-Mexico War, and the US Civil War. After the war, it was repaired and re-lit to guide commercial vessels to southernmost Texas. However, it was abandoned at the turn of the century when shipping traffic declined.
In 1950, Mr. and Mrs. Lon C. Hill Jr. and the Port Isabel Realty Company donated the lighthouse to the State of Texas as a historic site. It was officially open to the public in 1952 as a tourist attraction. In 2022, a 3rd-order Fresnel lens was installed in the lantern room and was lit as a historical representation of the lighthouse as a navigation aid.
There were 16 lighthouses that were built along the Texas coast, with the Port Isabel Lighthouse being the only one that is currently open for visitors. The lighthouse is maintained and operated by the Texas Historical Commission in partnership with the City of Port Isabel.
If you would like to get more information on the lighthouse, the staff can be reached at (956)943-0735, or you can visit their website at http://portisabellighthouse.com. Visitors can explore the lighthouse’s grounds from Monday to Sunday, from 9 am to 6 pm, and learn about its unique history.
Photos from My Port Isabel Facebook page
