Additional repairs have been made to the stairs leading to the Port Isabel Lighthouse’s lantern room and the lighthouse has been reopened.

Larry Ellis, the city’s Building Inspector has given consent to reopen the tower to the public after a site safety inspection. Texas Parks and Wildlife has consented. With the Tower being reopened, some rule changes will go into effect.

Rules and Regulations

A maximum of 6 people are allowed to the top of the tower at one time.

The outside deck of the tower is closed to the public for safety purposes. Due to constant wear from both the elements and tourist visitations, the handrail on the outside deck is in need of restoration. To ensure public safety, the Museums of Port Isabel has taken the necessary precautions by closing the outside deck. Visitors may climb the tower to the top glass observation area, inside the tower.

Children 12 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult, and under no circumstances are they allowed to ascend or descend unsupervised. (Parents and Guardians are responsible for the supervision of their children)

Children fewer than 38 inches are not allowed to the top of the Lighthouse.

Under no circumstances may children be carried up or down the step. (For safety purposes, visitors must have free use of their hands.)

No pets are allowed to the top of the lighthouse (service animals are the only exception).

No running or jumping on the steps of the Lighthouse.

Horse play will not be tolerated.

Any one caught vandalizing the tower will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

If anyone is in need of assistance while at the top of the tower, they should not hesitate to yell down to the Lighthouse Keeper at the base of the tower.

If any of these rules are not being followed, visitors may be asked to leave.

These rules are being enforced for the public’s safety and well being. We want you to have a safe and enjoyable experience while touring our 158 year old Point Isabel Lighthouse.

If there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to call the Museums of Port Isabel at (956)-943-7602 or email Gabriel Godines at ggodines@copitx.com.

Thank you,
Gabriel J. Godines

Point Isabel Lighthouse

The Point Isabel Lighthouse is the heart of the Port Isabel experience! Open to the public, daily, weather permitting, a stroll to the top of the 70 ft. tower offers a 16 mile view. The lighthouse was constructed in 1852 as a working beacon for vessels entering the Brazos Santiago Pass. Decommissioned in 1905, the lighthouse is now a primary tourist attraction.

Tickets may be purchased in the Lighthouse, the Keepers Cottage (Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center), the Treasures of the Gulf Museum and the Port Isabel Historical Museum.

Hours of Operation: Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (weather permitting).
Summer Hours: Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday – Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Ticket Information: Individual Site Tickets to the Port Isabel Lighthouse OR the Treasures of the Gulf Museum OR the Port Isabel Historical Museum.
Adults: $3.00; Senior Citizens*: $2.00; Students**: $1.00
Children 4 & Under: Free; Museum Member***: Free.
Combination Site Ticket: to the Port Isabel Lighthouse & Keepers Cottage AND the Treasures of the Gulf Museum AND the Port Isabel Historical Museum.
Adults: $7.00; Senior Citizens*: $5.00; Students**: $2.00
Children 4 & Under: Free; Museum Member***: Free
*Senior Citizens (55 & over); **Students (K – College with ID);
***Museum Member (with Membership Card). Military ID: Free.

The lighthouse will be closed until further notice due to the necessary repairs to a step. Temporary repairs were made earlier in the week, and after further inspection by the City’s Building Department and the Museum Staff it was decided to close the lighthouse pending an inspection by Texas Parks and Wildlife. While the historic lighthouse is an important attraction to Port Isabel, public safety is the utmost concern.

Friday’s showing of CORALINE is still scheduled to start at 8:30 pm! Everybody is invited to attend as Port Isabel kicks of a full schedule of Halloween and Day of the Dead weekend activities.

Thank you for your patience in this matter. For more information call the Museums at 956/943-7602.

Gabriel Godines
Museums of Port Isabel Curator of Education and Programs

The Port Isabel Lighthouse will be open on Memorial Day! Visit and view the beautiful and charming Port Isabel skyline and the sparkling Laguna Madre Bay from the top of the Lighthouse over 80 feet high!

As a special thanks to our Military, admission is free to the Lighthouse, the Treasures of the Gulf Museum and the Port Isabel Historical Museum ALL year long! Just bring id. Law Enforcement, EMS and Fire Fighters also qualify. Please visit the Local Hero Military Service display on the second floor of the Port Isabel Historical Museum.

Regular museum hours apply. The Port Isabel Lighthouse will be open on Memorial Day. For more information call 956/943-7602.

The Treasures of the Gulf Museum is open! Due to construction, please use the entrance on Highway 100.

The Museums of Port Isabel is a complex consisting of three diverse facilities, the Port Isabel Historic Museum, the Treasures of the Gulf Museum, and the Point Isabel Lighthouse. All three are within walking distance of each other and are open year around to the public.

PORT ISABEL LIGHTHOUSE
Constructed in 1852, the Point Isabel Lighthouse was built to protect and guide ships through Brazos Santiago Pass and the barrier islands. In 1952, the Lighthouse was opened as a State Park and remains the only lighthouse on the Texas Gulf coast open to the public. The Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage which is on the grounds of the Lighthouse, is open to the public and houses the Chamber of Commerce and the Port Isabel Visitors Center. There is no admission charge to the Keepers Cottage. Lighthouse tickets can be purchased at the Keepers Cottage or at the Lighthouse. A combination ticket is available. Last ticket sold at 4:30 p.m. or 1/2 hour before closing.

• Summer Hours: Sunday – Thursday 9a – 5p. Friday & Saturday 11a – 8p
• Winter Hours: Daily 9a – 5p

Keepers Cottage Hours (year around): Monday – Friday 9a – 5p. Saturday 10a – 4p. 421 E. Queen Isabella Blvd., Port Isabel. 956/943-2262.

PORT ISABEL HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Port Isabel Historical Museum is a state-of-the-art facility located in the Champion Building. Built in 1899 as a dry goods store and residence, it now houses two exhibit levels, a theater, gift shop and one of the largest collections of Mexican artifacts from the U.S.-Mexican War. The facade features the famous ‘fish mural’ painted in 1906 by a local fisherman. Last ticket sold at 3:30 p.m.

• Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10a – 4p. 317 E. Railroad Ave., Port Isabel. 956/943-7602.

TREASURES OF THE GULF MUSEUM
Treasures of the Gulf Museum spotlights three 1554 Spanish shipwrecks. Meeting their fate just 30 miles north of Port isabel, they are brought to life with murals, artifacts and hands-on activities. Also featured is a Children’s Discovery Lab, Ship theatre and Nautical Gift Shop. Last ticket sold at 3:30 p.m.

• Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10a to 4p. 317 E. Railroad Ave., Port Isabel. 956/943-7602