Padre J. Nicolas Balli
Padre Island, off the South Texas coast, is named for Padre Jose Nicolas Balli (177?-1829), whose family migrated from Spain in 1569 and became large landowners in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. In 1800 Balli applied to King Charles IV of Spain for 11 1/2 leagues of land on the island, and in 1804 started its first settlement, Rancho Santa Cruz. Padre Balli served as collector of finances for all the churches in the Rio Grande Valley and founded the first mission in present Cameron County. Padre Balli's ministry was a great influence on the lives of early South Texas settlers.
26.0849° N, 97.1674° W
Where to Find It
PR 100, east end of causeway (3 miles east of Port Isabel), South Padre Island.
Nearby Markers
- 0.8 mi S 1923 Point Isabel Coast Guard Building Port Isabel
- 1.2 mi SE Brazos Santiago, C.S.A. South Padre Island
- 1.2 mi SE Brazos Santiago Pass and Brazos Island Military Depot South Padre Island
- 2.4 mi W Queen Isabel Inn Port Isabel
- 2.5 mi W Port Isabel (Old Point Isabel) Port Isabel
- 2.5 mi W Port of Matamoros Port Isabel