Balli Family Shortly before Mexico won independence from Spain, Nicolas Balli and his mother, Dona Maria Hinojosa de Balli of Reynosa, made application for a grant covering the entire island. Action on their joint application was long delayed. In the meantime, Balli, who had become a secular priest, established a ranch on the island near its southern tip. After Spanish colonial rule ended in 1824, application for the island grant was made to the new Mexican government by the priest and his nephew, Juan Jose Balli II, who was his partner in ranching operations on the island. Validation of the Mexican grant was completed in December of 1829, the same month Padre Nicolas died. The name Padre Island did not come into general use until after Texas' independence, when the Mexican grant was recognized as a valid title to Padre. The padre's heirs neglected their island, apparently considering it of little value, and division of the property was never carried out. Besides Juan Jose Balli II, there were other children of Nicolas Balli's younger brother, Juan Jose (Chico) Balli. The history of the island contains confusing records of changes in ownership which resulted in long-continued litigation spanning 70 years.

"The Point Isabel Lighthouse was completed in 1852. It remained in operation until the Civil War, when Rip Ford removed the lens in an effort to keep the services of the lighthouse from benefiting the Union Army. The lighthouse was overhauled, refitted, and relit on Feb. 22, 1866. Today it is considered one of the smallest state parks in the nation." From Rio Grande Heritage by Brian Robertson.