The Port Isabel Lighthouse was built by the United States government in 1852–a brick tower with a light composed of four lamps mounted to an iron platform. It stands 57 feet tall on a small rise, making it 82 feet above sea level. Ships could see its light 16 miles from shore. Newer navigation technology made the lighthouse obsolete in 1905, and it was permanently abandoned, but was restored about 50 years later. (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ggp01)