Hathcock History: Treasure Huntin on SPI

Hi Steve: My parents have been visiting the Rio Grande Valley every winter for years and usually set up their RV in a park near Harlingen. They sent me a copy of the Coastal Current that had one of your articles on treasure hunting tips. I am an avid treasure seeker and have hunted numerous water and land sites in Minnesota and Wisconsin but have never had an opportunity to hunt in the surf. In your article, you mentioned one of the students in your metal detecting class found an old Civil War button on his first hunt! Is this a common occurrence on South Padre Island? (Finding old artifacts?)

We are planning a visit to the Island in the near future and I was wondering if you could give us a little information on what hotels will accept small dogs. We also have several small children and would like to do something that they will enjoy, too.

I have lost the article you wrote, but would appreciate it if you could send me a copy so we can use the information to help plan our treasure hunting. We would also appreciate any suggestions on tools to bring, local laws on metal detecting and directions to some of the areas that would be good to hunt.
Thanks for your time and keep writing those stories!

My response: Congratulations on your decision to vacation on South Padre Island. Let me answer your questions as best as I can. I am not sure which hotels accept dogs. I have heard Motel 6 will accept small pets if they are not left unattended. Their phone number is 956-761-7911. There are several dozen property management companies that rent condominiums on the Island. Go to the Internet and type in the words: South Padre Island. You will be surprised at how many sites there are. Be sure to check out the Coastal Current’s page for my latest story and an update on current events. Another good site is worth the visit is http://islandtraders.biz.
With regard to entertaining the kids:

There are many outings designed with the family in mind. George and Scarlet Colley run a highly rated birding and dolphin-watching cruise. Their web site can be accessed at http://fin2feather.com/ or, you can email them at skimmer@fin2feather.com

The kids can spend a whole day at Schlitterbaun Waterpark. There is covered seating for adults, refreshments and lots of fun for the kids. The new Birding and Nature Center has recently opened its doors to visitors and you can learn more at their website: www.spadre.com/southpadreislandbirdingandnaturecenter.htm
The article you mentioned was one I wrote about Roger Violet’s experience during one of my metal detecting classes. On this particular day, I had assembled the group on the beach in front of Padre Grande Condominiums.  It was along here that the Corps of Engineers dumped mud and bottom sand from last year’s dredging of the Brownsville Ship Channel.

Five minutes into his first hunt, Roger found a button from the Civil War. Undoubtedly, the button had come from the dress uniform of a Union Officer who had been assigned to the depot at Bravo’s Santiago, across from the Jetties in Isla Blanca Park. This outpost was established during the Mexican War. The Union forces maintained a presence here during the War Between the States. In early May of 1865, troops from this encampment marched on Brownsville. A counter attack by Confederate forces, under the command of Rip Ford, had routed the Union forces. One man was killed and several hundred men were wounded or captured by the Southerners. A couple of days later, the men in gray received the bad news that Lee had surrendered five weeks earlier. The war was over and the men of Ford’s command surrendered to their own prisoners. (This was the last official land battle of the Civil War.)

Boca Chica is a good place to metal detect. There are lots of snakes behind the dunes in the grassy areas, so bring a pair of snake boots or leather leggings. The laws governing metal detecting are pretty simple. It is illegal to dig in the dunes. The Park Rangers will give you a ticket and the fine could be several hundred dollars or more. Always ask permission to hunt on private land. It is ok to hunt along the beach, but always remember to fill the holes you dig.

I have attached a copy of the article, which will also give you more of the information you asked for, and I also have copies of previous stories in binders at Beachcomber’s Museum of Local and Natural History at 104 West Pompano Street on the Island.

Have a safe trip and we will see you on the beach.

Steve Hathcock serves as chairmen of the South Padre Island Historical Preservation Committee, is a member of the Cameron County Historical Commission and is one of the founders of the South Padre Island Historical Foundation. Steve Hathcock and his partner Kay Lay own and operate Beachcomber’s Museum of Local and Natural History at 104 West Pompano street South Padre Island (Open noon to 5 daily closed Monday). E-mail at stevehathcock@islandtraders.biz. Website at padreislandtraders.com.