Port Aransas Museum

Port Aransas Museum The Port Aransas Museum was opened in 2008 by the Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Associati

Catch Some History 🎣👕New shirts just landed in the Port Aransas Museum Gift Shop! Featuring a classic Port A fishing sce...
08/28/2026

Catch Some History 🎣👕

New shirts just landed in the Port Aransas Museum Gift Shop! Featuring a classic Port A fishing scene and a little island history, these are perfect for anyone who loves to catch some fish, catch some memories, and catch a little history.

🎣 Grab yours on your next visit to the museum and take a little piece of Port A history home with you!

Which fisherman in your life needs one of these? Tag them below!

If you’ve spent any time in Port Aransas, chances are you’ve heard of Shorty’s, the “Oldest & Friendliest” bar in town.P...
08/24/2026

If you’ve spent any time in Port Aransas, chances are you’ve heard of Shorty’s, the “Oldest & Friendliest” bar in town.

Pictured here are Gladys “Shorty” Fowler and her husband, Mack, who opened Shorty’s in 1946. What began as a converted pool hall quickly became a gathering place for shrimpers, fishing guides, tradespeople, locals, and visitors. The Fowler family operated Shorty’s for generations, passing the business down through their family before it changed ownership in 2012.

Through hurricanes, changing times, and even a move to a new location in 2023, Shorty’s has held onto the character that made it a Port A institution with live music, pool tables, cold drinks, hats covering the ceiling, and a place where locals and visitors can feel at home.

Shorty’s is more than a bar… it’s a piece of Port Aransas history and a reminder of the people and businesses that helped make this island what it is today.

💬 Have you been to Shorty’s? Tell us your favorite Shorty’s memory or tag someone you’ve shared a drink, game of pool, or night of music with there!

The people who built Port Aransas weren’t only the families who lived and worked here, they were also the generations of...
08/21/2026

The people who built Port Aransas weren’t only the families who lived and worked here, they were also the generations of visitors who fell in love with the island and kept coming back.

For decades, families have spent their summers on these beaches, making memories in the sand, on the water, and along the shoreline. What began as a vacation destination for some became a family tradition passed down from one generation to the next.

Photos like this remind us that the story of Port A is also the story of the people who came here, loved it, and made it part of their lives.

đź’¬ Did your family grow up vacationing in Port Aransas, or did you grow up as a local? Tell us about your favorite beach memory or the traditions you still carry on today!

Take a look at the Port Aransas waterfront in years past! The area now known as Fisherman’s Wharf has been a hub of fish...
08/19/2026

Take a look at the Port Aransas waterfront in years past! The area now known as Fisherman’s Wharf has been a hub of fishing, boating, and waterfront life for generations.

The story here goes back to 1929, when Sim Mathews opened the Silver King Cafe. The business eventually became Mathews Place, offering food, fishing tackle, marine hardware, fuel, and fishing guide services. Barney Farley later partnered with Mathews, and the business briefly became Barney’s Place.

Today, Fisherman’s Wharf continues that waterfront tradition. Since 1971, it has been a fixture of the Port A fishing community. The Wharf is now home to fishing charters aboard the Wharf Cat and S**t Cat, dolphin watches, sunset cruises, a marina store, bait and tackle, fuel, fish cleaning, and more like the Jetty Boat making multiple trips each day to nearby St. Joseph Island, giving visitors the chance to explore the island and enjoy the waters surrounding Port A. After Hurricane Harvey devastated the area in 2017, it was redeveloped into the modern waterfront destination it is today.

This area also remains a place to gather after a day on the water, with waterfront dining at different restaurants, fishing tournaments, and events throughout the year.
From the docks, boats, and businesses of yesterday to the fishing, food, and adventures happening there today, Fisherman’s Wharf is a perfect example of how Port A’s waterfront has evolved while staying true to its roots.

💬 Do you have a favorite Fisherman’s Wharf memory? A fishing trip, a big catch, a meal, or a day spent on the docks? Tell us in the comments!

We’re halfway through this month’s theme, The People Who Built Port A, and we can’t forget about another group of people...
08/18/2026

We’re halfway through this month’s theme, The People Who Built Port A, and we can’t forget about another group of people who have shaped this island: the generations of visitors who have returned to Port Aransas year after year.

For decades, families have come here for fishing trips, beach days, summer vacations, and time together. They’ve made memories on our docks, beaches, boats, and streets and many have passed their love of Port A down to their children and grandchildren.

Port Aransas wouldn’t be the same without the people who chose to keep coming back, making this island a part of their family traditions and their stories.

đź’¬ How many generations of your family have been coming to Port Aransas? Tell us your favorite Port A memory in the comments!

Few places are as woven into the story of Port Aransas as the Tarpon Inn.The inn’s history dates back to 1886, when it w...
08/14/2026

Few places are as woven into the story of Port Aransas as the Tarpon Inn.

The inn’s history dates back to 1886, when it was built to house workers constructing the Mansfield Jetty. It later became a destination for anglers drawn to Port Aransas during the island’s famous tarpon fishing era.

The Green family played an important role in the Tarpon Inn’s history, helping establish it as a gathering place for fishermen, visitors, and the community. Over the years, the inn became more than a place to stay, it became a symbol of Port A’s fishing heritage and a landmark that generations of visitors have experienced.

Today, the Tarpon Inn remains one of the most recognizable pieces of Port Aransas history, connecting us to the people, businesses, and fishing traditions that helped shape the island.

Have you ever stayed at the Tarpon Inn or visited it? Tell us about your favorite memory in the comments!

Visit the Port Aransas Museum to discover more stories about the people and places that built Port A.

The story of Port Aransas begins with the families who chose to make this island home, building businesses, raising fami...
08/13/2026

The story of Port Aransas begins with the families who chose to make this island home, building businesses, raising families, and laying the foundation for the community we know today.

The Mercers established Mustang Island’s first homestead in the 1850s and later built the island’s first trading store. The Farleys became legendary for their boatbuilding and fishing legacy, helping establish Port Aransas as the “Tarpon Capital of the World.” Families like the Brundretts, Frandoligs, Roberts, Cotters, Greens, Browns, Munsills, Carters, Mathews, Tellers, Belchers, Moores, Littletons, and Clarks also became part of the fabric of the island through generations of fishing, business, civic life, and community building.

These names are woven into the history of Port A and many continue to be part of our community today.

Is your family name part of Port Aransas history? Tell us in the comments! And if you know someone whose family helped shape the island, tag them below.

Discover more stories of the people who built Port A at the Port Aransas Museum.

Long before the Port Aransas waterfront looked the way it does today, Mathews Place was at the center of island life.Sim...
08/11/2026

Long before the Port Aransas waterfront looked the way it does today, Mathews Place was at the center of island life.

Sim Mathews opened the Silver King Cafe in 1929, and over the years the waterfront business became a cafe, fishing tackle shop, marine hardware store, and fishing guide headquarters. It later became Barney’s Place before returning to Mathews Place. The docks were a gathering place for fishermen, boatmen, families, and visitors.

These photos offer a glimpse into the people and places that helped shape Port A’s waterfront.

Want to learn more? Visit the Port Aransas Museum’s website to read the full history of Mathews Place and discover more stories from our island’s past.

Did you or your family ever spend time on the Port A waterfront? Share your memories below!

In May 1937, one of the most famous visitors in Port Aransas history came to the island for one thing: tarpon fishing.Pr...
08/07/2026

In May 1937, one of the most famous visitors in Port Aransas history came to the island for one thing: tarpon fishing.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt traveled to the waters off Port Aransas and, on May 8, finally landed the five-foot tarpon he had been hoping for. He fished with local guides Ted Mathews and Barney Farley, putting Port Aransas' world-famous tarpon fishing in the national spotlight.

At the time, tarpon fishing was at the heart of Port Aransas. The abundance of these legendary fish had been attracting anglers from across the country since the early 1900s, helping transform our small fishing community into a destination for sport fishermen. In fact, Port Aransas was once even known as Tarpon, Texas.

FDR's visit is more than famous photos… it's a snapshot of the people and traditions that helped put Port Aransas on the map. Local fishing guides like Barney Farley played an important role in introducing visitors to the waters that made this town special, a legacy that continues through Port A's fishing culture and Farley Boat Works today.

The people who knew these waters, built the boats, guided the visitors, and shared their love of the island helped shape the Port Aransas we know today.

Want to learn more? Visit the Port Aransas Museum to explore and see artifacts connected to this incredible chapter of Port A history.

Behind every landmark, tradition, and treasured memory in Port Aransas are the people who helped shape this island into ...
08/04/2026

Behind every landmark, tradition, and treasured memory in Port Aransas are the people who helped shape this island into the place we know and love today.
From fishermen who knew these waters by heart, to boat builders, business owners, families, and community leaders who dedicated their lives to Port A - their stories are the foundation of our town’s history.
This month, we’re celebrating the people behind the place and sharing the stories of those who helped build the Port Aransas community through generations.
Because the buildings tell a story, but the people built Port A.
Who is someone who helped make Port Aransas special for you? Share their story in the comments. We’d love to hear about the people who made this island feel like home.

Address

101 E Brundrett Street (At 408 N Alister St)
Port Aransas, TX
78373

Opening Hours

Thursday 9am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Friday 1pm - 5pm
Saturday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

(361) 749-3800

Website

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