By ESTEVAN MEDRANO
Port Isabel-South Padre Press
press@portisabelsouthpadre.com
The Champion Building, which has housed the Port Isabel Historical Museum since 1996, is in the process of being rehabilitated thanks to funding from the Port Isabel Economic Development Corporation and the City’s Capital Improvement budget. The facelift includes the restoration of the famous ‘fish mural’ painted in 1906 to its original splendor. The the building was repainted and the water tower was restored this year and the porch is currently being worked on.
The Champion Building was built in 1899 as a dry goods store and residence by Charles Champion. It was one of the first mercantile business to serve the citizens of Point Isabel at the time. The store distributed “Champion coins” that were used locally to purchase goods at the facility.
“We’ve go a lot of historical preservation projects with the acquisition of the Yacht club that we’re restoring, hopefully it will become a culinary school, the restoration efforts of the lighthouse and also restoring the Champion building,” said Mayor Joe E. Vega. “We’ve got to be sure we keep our history in tact.”
The completed restoration will take approximately three months. For more information, call (956)943-2682.
Want the whole story? Pick up a copy of the Port Isabel-South Padre Press, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here
Comments