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Table of Contents Don Chencho (by Rod E. Bates) ....................................... 2-3 Kingfish Article Reprint (July 7, 1934) ............................. 4 Friends Served... Reprint (April 8, 1942) ......................... 5 Champion Bros. Article Reprint (Nov. 19, 1941) ....... 5 & 6 Port Isabel’s Merchant Districts. ...................................... 8 Brazos History (by Rod E. Bates) ......... 7 (cont. pg. 9 & 10) (April 16, 1942) ........... Burglars Leave Dime... Reprint 11 The Port City Mercantile store is built on or near the site of the cus- A Brief Local History (by Museum Staff) .................... 12-13 tom house of the port of Matamoros. The site was also important during Shrimpers Catch... Reprint (July 4, 1934) ...................... 14 the Mexican American war as the site of historic Fort Polk built by General Landmark Moved... Reprint (November 18, 1931) ........ 19 Zachary Taylor and used as a supply site for the Battle of Palo Alto and subsequent battles of the Mexican War. Bright Blue Dog... Reprint (February 24, 1932) ............. 20 Mrs. Rosa Eubank Christensen bought the property following Hurri- History of South Padre Island (by Rod E. Bates) ........... 21 cane Beulah. What had been the patio of the Ship Cafe (one of the first Lighthouse R.G.V. Birthday... Reprint (April 4, 1934) ... 22 buildings in Port Isabel and formerly the Pate Cafe) became Pop’s Surf Do Your Part... Reprint (July 4, 1934)............................. 23 Shop which was a popular surfer’s spot in the 60s run and built by “Pop” Gene Dunston. When Carl Christensen inherited the property, and when Article Reprints (April 18, 1934 & Jan. 16, 1929) ............ 25 he had time to devote to the property following his retirement from teach- First Cut of Channel... Reprint (November 7, 1928) ...... 27 ing (43 years down the drain), he rebuilt the building and started with Ferries... Reprint (November 14, 1928) .......................... 28 one case of jewelry, opening on Mothers’ Day in 1998. Together with his wife Margaret, also a retired teacher, and with the Calendar of Events 2003-2004 . ..................................... 28 help of daughters in law, Lynette Christensen and Leah Christensen and Over 2,000 Carloads Stone... Reprint (July 4, 1934) .... 29 great employee Elvia Garcia Zuniga, the shop has become a popular suc- Pictorial (Historical Local Photographs) ..................... 30-31 cessful place to browse and buy fun things. Shrimping Industry (Brief History of) ............................. 31 You will often see children in this place of business---Peter and Daniel and Clara Rose and Jane and even Emma sometimes, daughter of Carl and Area Maps with Points of Interest. ...32 - inside back cover Margaret’s daughter Julia Loken, who also makes the fun shell sculp- tures. Port City Mercantile is a family business in lots of ways. Rosa Christensen was a Valley pioneer, arriving in the Valley just in time for the bandit trouble in 1914, when she was twelve years old. She began her teaching career in Las Yescas, part of the Los Fresnos district now: she was 16 years old and could make $200 a month as a country teacher in a one room school. Because the teacher that preceded her had been killed, she always wore a pistol on her hip while teaching there. She went on to become a local legend: business woman, teacher, principal in San Benito for many years. She founded the Santa Rosa Ranch around 1949, following in the footsteps of her parents, ranchers Karl Eubank and his wife, Clara Kyurkendahl Eubank. She was also an artist and art teacher and inspired some of the local artists. You can see some of her artwork in the shop. Those who knew her found her to be a memo- rable person, and the mural on the side of the shop and the rose in the door are memorials installed by her only son Carl. Her grandsons and daughters are all in the education business in one way or another; her beloved grandson Carl Christensen, Jr. is employed as head of the labs at Texas A & M University in Corpus Christi, granddaugh- ter Rose is a teacher in Premont, granddaughter Julia, an English teacher currently rearing her daughter Emma, grandson Ben teaches English in Los Fresnos High School, and grandson Daniel Eric is a science teacher and tennis coach at Berta Cabaza Junior High in San Benito. These family he ‘Historic Port Isabel’ booklet was published to members are her living memorials. Tcommemmorate Port Isabel’s colorful and rich history and PORT CITY MERCANTILE also to showcase our local businesses. As unique as Port Specializing in Silver and Pearl Jewelry Isabel’s history is the business community that enriches both 423 E. Maxan on Lighthouse Square the local resident and tourist alike. We invite you to take part in Port Isabel, Texas our past and our future. Enjoy this look at our history and Phone & Fax (956) 943-5066 support the businesses that have supported this publication. Historic Port Isabel, Texas - - - www.portisabel.org - 1 Don Chencho’s Port Isabel by Rod E. Bates Throughout history, certain individuals have become synonymous with the country they founded or the era they lived in or perhaps an invention they conceived. George Washington and Henry Ford immediately come to mind. A person only needs to mention such a famous name, and his audience automatically associates the individual with his historic deed. Mention, for example, the Wright brothers and the first flight in an airplane is the automatic association. Port Isabel is no exception. As early as 1523 this area was explored by the Spaniard Francisco Garay. Famed Pirate Jean LaFitte was rumored to ‘hide out” at this location, even digging a fresh water well to supply his ships, in present day Laguna Vista. Padre Nicolas Balli lived in this area and Padre Island bears his name to this day. Zachary Taylor, the commanding General of all U.S. troops during the northern campaign of the Mexican War and future president of the United States, occupied a fortified position called Fort Polk where the Lighthouse now stands. Winfield Scott, U.S. Grant, Jefferson Davis, “Rip” Ford, Warren G. Harding and many, many more famous men have all left their mark on Port Isabel history, and any one of them could be considered as an area icon. But, for Port Isabel, one man is considered head and shoulders above all these worthy notables, his name is Don Chencho. He embodies the spirit of Port Isabel more than any other. Living a remarkable 119 years, this one man’s life saw and participated in dramatic changes to Port Isabel and the Laguna Madre area. You may not be familiar with Don Chencho by name, but you have likely seen his image. Postcards heralded him as Port Isabel’s most photographed man! If you look closely at the stately old gentleman aboard his wagon, with his trusty burro providing the power, pausing in front of the historic lighthouse, you’ve seen Don Chencho! His image can be seen on much official literature and advertising in the Laguna Madre area. During this remarkable man’s life Port Isabel saw much change and growth. Chencho was born in 1831, during which time Port Isabel was part of Mexico and was known as El Fronton. Don Chencho’s family moved to El Fronton during the Mexican-American War. The town was occupied by the American Army and renamed Point Isabel, inspired by the “point” of land that jutted into the bay, and Queen Isabella’s role in the discovery of the new world. After the war, Point Isabel became an important American port and custom’s location. As trade increased, the need for a navigational light became apparent and in 1852 the Point Isabel Lighthouse was built. Don Chencho served as a construction worker on the project and became forever connected with the historic beacon. In the (Don Chencho - continued on page 3) 2 - www.portisabel.org - - - Historic Port Isabel, Texas Antiques & Collectibles Collectible Gifts • Consignments Brass Nautical • Glassware Lamps • Books • Fenton Glass Our roots run deep. Wind Chimes • Tin Signs 412 Queen Isabella Blvd., Port Isabel Margaret Rivera Across from the Lighthouse on Hwy. 100 Open 7 Days a Week: Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Mortgage Company (956) 943-6889 Sunday, Noon - 5 p.m. consists of a group of dedicated profession- als focused on you and our community. Licensed Mortgage Brokerage 302 E. Queen Isabella Blvd., Ste. F Port Isabel, Texas 78578 Office: 956.943.7300 • Cell: 956.371.1231 • Fax: 956.943.7686 www.margaretrivera.com e-mail: [email protected] (Don Chencho - continued from page 2) In 1928, the Point Isabel Land Company bought much of the 1860’s as our nation fought the Civil War, both Union and land on which our city is now located. They realized that Confederate soldiers occupied Point Isabel and our area hosted tourism and fishing were a superb platform from which to the last land battle of the American Civil War. Post-war, the market the “new” town and the rest is history! After renaming nation began the the town, “Port Isabel”, and making vast infrastructure reconstruction process improvements, the town of Port Isabel was off and running! and robust trade Throughout this entire century of progress and advancement, returned. Area merchants one thing remained constant, the people. Always hardworking realized that a railroad and industrious, the people of Port Isabel kept striving to better from Port Isabel’s port life in our area and make Port Isabel a great place to live and to and custom’s facilities to visit. Among them, the unofficial ambassador of the local Brownsville, and then residents through much of this time was Don Chencho, Don Chencho, photographed with Mexico, would vastly providing an invaluable service to his community as he brought his familiar wagon and burro.

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