by 
The Curious Bag
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Mustang Island is a barrier island off of Texas' Gulf Coast surrounded by Corpus Christi Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The Port Aransas South Island Jetty's Visitor's Guide states that Mustang Island continues to be a popular coastal destination for tourists from throughout the United States and the world.
History
The Karankawa Indians were the first to inhabit Mustang Island. Many Spaniard explorers visited the island from the mid-1500s, and during the early 1800s, they brought with them wild horses called Mestenos or Mustangs, giving the island its name.
Geography
Mustang Island is 18 miles long and is connected by roadway on its southern tip to Padres Island. The largest town on the island is Port Aransas, which is located on the northern end.
Inhabitants
The first permanent non-Indian residents were captain Robert Mercer and his family, who built El Mar Rancho on the island in 1853. There are now approximately 3,000 residents in Port Aransas.
Landmarks
The Lydia Ann Lighthouse, originally called the Aransas Pass Lighthouse, was the first permanent structure built in the Port Aransas area. Another very early structure is the Tarpon Inn, which was built in 1886.
Fun Fact
Jean Lafitte was a famous buccaneer who had camps on both Mustang and San Jose islands. There is said to be a Spanish dagger with a silver spike driven through it on the island that marks the spot where Lafitte buried a treasure.
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