History

In 1519, Spanish explorer Alonso Alvarez de Pineda, believed to be the first white man to set foot on the island, called it La Isla Blanca. When Padre Balli claimed the island in 1800, it was known as Isla de Corpus Christi or Isla Santiago. Throughout its history, it has had other names, such as Isla de San Carlos de los Malaguitas and Isla del Brazo de Santiago.

In 1804, Padre Jose Nicolas Balli founded a settlement named Rancho Santa Cruz on the island, about twenty-six miles north of its southernmost tip. He and his nephew, Juan Jose Balli, the mayordomo or foreman, established a ranching operation and were able to raise large herds of cattle, horses and mules on the island.

The padre also built a Mission there to Christianize the native Karankawa Indians and to serve the colonists. The island was occupied until about 1844 when a hurricane forced the inhabitants to flee to the mainland. Juan Jose returned to Rancho Santa Cruz and remained there until his death in 1853. As the result of shifting sand and many hurricanes, the ranch disappeared under the sand. It was discovered in 1931, and since then has been called The Lost City of Padre Island.