The Port Isabel Yacht Club Hotel is among the 12 sites that Preservation Texas, Inc. has named to its eleventh annual list of Texas’ Most Endangered Places.
Preservation Texas officials announced the selections outside the Texas State Capitol on May 20.
“The 2014 list is a diverse group of sites that reflect the range of preservation issues that historic places throughout the state are confronting,” said Evan Thompson, executive director of Preservation Texas. “The sites are cultural, architectural and historic icons that are at imminent risk of disappearing from the landscape. Local grassroots organizations have been working tirelessly in support of these sites. By including them on the 2014 list, we hope to rally Texans statewide to step up and save them by supporting job-creating investments in our state’s historic places.”
Historic preservation is a billion dollar industry in Texas. Historic sites named to the list of Texas’ Most Endangered Places represent some of the biggest economic opportunities to make an impact on local communities through preservation. Preservation Texas provides technical assistance to identify preservation needs and set priorities, fund raising expertise, and assistance in fostering partnerships and building community support.
PORT ISABEL YACHT CLUB (1926)
77 N. Yturria St.
Port Isabel, Cameron County
Built in 1926 as the Point Isabel Yacht Club, its early years were associated with famed citrus grower John Shary. Located on the Intracoastal Waterway, the club was soon expanded to include numerous rooms for visitors. Noted guests ranged from Warren Harding to Al Capone to Amelia Earhart. The Spanish Colonial Renaissance building stands as a vivid reminder of Gulf Coast development during the roaring 20s.
Today, the building is in need of restoration. Having condemned the building in recent years, the City of Port Isabel is working to acquire the building and seeks to adapt it for office, educational and cultural uses. This early 20th century landmark on the Texas coast can serve as a model for the creative repurposing of an old building while inspiring preservation of other important architectural and cultural sites in Cameron County.
Sites named to the 2014 list are:
Abilene Courts
Abilene, Taylor County
Brinkley Davis House
Limestone County
Camp Logan / Hogg Bird Sanctuary
Houston, Harris County
Clay House
Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County
Dorbandt House
Marble Falls, Burnet County
Jefferson Ordnance Magazine
Jefferson, Marion County
Lerma’s Nite Club
San Antonio, Bexar County
Mary Allen Seminary
Crockett, Houston County
Oňate Crossing/Hart’s Mill/Old Fort Bliss
El Paso, El Paso County
Pig Stand No. 41
Beaumont, Jefferson County
Port Isabel Yacht Club Hotel
Port Isabel, Cameron County
Reynolds-Seaquist House
Mason, Mason County
Thompson noted that the sites included on the 2014 list reflect increased awareness of the importance of historic preservation in supporting landmarks in small communities. “Passion and determination in these communities are strong, but badly managed land use planning, coupled with a lack of financial resources and professional guidance present serious challenges,” he said.
Preservation Texas, Inc. is the advocate for preserving the historic resources of Texas. Founded in 1985, the nonprofit organization named its first list of endangered sites in 2004. Its Most Endangered Places program is funded in part by grants and sponsorships from across the state.
For more information on Texas’ Most Endangered Places, visit www.preservationtexas.org, or phone Preservation Texas, Inc. at 512-472-0102.
