Cameron County (Brownsville Area) Lighthouses Lighthouse

This white lighthouse, located near Port Isabel, Texas, was first activated in 1853. It served the maritime traffic entering the Brazos Santiago Pass, a key waterway connecting Brownsville to the Gulf of Mexico via the Brownsville Ship Channel. The light remained operational until 1905, after which it was inactive for many years. Following a significant restoration in 2000, the lighthouse reopened. Further extensive repairs and repainting were completed by the end of 2017, leading to its reopening in January 2018. A replica 3rd order Fresnel lens was installed in 2022, and the site is now privately maintained.

Why it matters: The lighthouse marks the Brazos Santiago Pass, facilitating safe passage for vessels serving the Port of Brownsville. The site also operates as a State Historic Site, drawing visitors to Port Isabel.