Point Isabel Lighthouse, Historic lighthouse in Port Isabel, Texas.
Point Isabel Lighthouse is a 17-meter (56 ft) stone tower standing at the harbor entrance, marking the shipping channels that lead into Port Isabel. The structure has a distinctive white exterior with a gallery platform near the top where visitors can view the surrounding coast.
The lighthouse was built in 1852 to guide vessels through the pass and served as a military observation point during the Civil War. After more than a century of limited use, restoration efforts brought it back to active service in recent times.
The lighthouse reflects the maritime identity of this coastal community, where navigation and harbor trade shaped daily life for generations. You can see how it remains central to how locals understand their place along the Gulf.
You can climb the interior staircase to reach the viewing platform at the top, which offers clear views of the Gulf and surrounding barrier islands on sunny days. The site is walkable from the town center and has parking available nearby for visitors.
A sophisticated third-order Fresnel lens was installed in 1857, an optical system that projected light far across the water before electricity became standard. This same lens mechanism still exists inside the tower, offering a glimpse into 19th-century maritime engineering.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
