“The Whyless (Wireless Station) Building”
The Museums of Port Isabel and the Laguna Madre Museum Foundation are proud to present “Telling Our Stories” the 2011 series on Thursday May 26, inside the Treasures of the Gulf Museum, 317 E. Railroad Ave. at 6:30 p.m. This month’s topic will be “The Whyless Building” by guest speaker Mr. Rudy Garcia.
In 1916, Point Isabel Wireless Station was built on 20 acres with two 330 foot triangular steel towers spaced 1250 feet apart. The Point Isabel site was one of three wireless stations strategically placed by the U.S. Navy to cover the whole of North America. The First New York Cavalry was part of a contingent to set-up the wireless station as seen by the tents and horse-drawn wagons next to the towers. Locals referred the area as the “Whyless” station.
The “Whyless” building, built shortly after 1919 served as a U.S. Military Barracks during WWI. Soon after, it was used as a Life Saving Refuge for victims of the devastating 1933 unnamed hurricane.
Having grown up in Port Isabel Texas as a child, Mr. Garcia now lives in Laguna Vista Texas where he has resided for the past 31 years.
Mr. Garcia attended Pan American University from 1973 – 1976, graduating in 1976 with a Bachelors degree of Science and Psychology with a minor in Sociology and English.
In 1988, Mr. Garcia received a Masters Degree in Education Counseling and Guidance from Pan American University of Brownsville.
“I realized education is my vocation after I left teaching to work for the Texas Department of Health and Human Services as a Child Protective Service Case Worker for three years” said Mr. Garcia.
In total, Mr. Rudy Garcia has devoted 27 years of service working for the Point Isabel ISD.
Please join us as we learn about some of Port Isabel’s forgotten history. All locals and visitors are welcome to attend this free presentation. Complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be available.
“Telling Our Stories” is a free presentation open to the public which is held by the Museums of Port Isabel and the Laguna Madre Museum Foundation. These presentations are set on the final Thursday of the month from January through September at 6:30 pm. Our thanks go out to the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce, the Port Isabel Merchants Committee, the Laguna Madre Museum Foundation, The El Paseo Arts Foundation, the Economic Development Foundation, and the City of Port Isabel for their continued support.
Sponsored by: SILVER BREEZE, located on 417 E. Maxan St. on Lighthouse
Square inside the Faro Market.
The Museums of Port Isabel and the Laguna Madre Museum Foundations goals are to help preserve and educate our local and natural history through presentations and exhibits.
For more information on telling our stories or to help sponsor an event, contact
Jeannie Marie A. Flores at 956-943-7602 or visit www.portisabelmuseums.com you may also send an email to museumdirector@copitx.com.