In 1554, three Spanish vessels were wrecked on Padre Island.

I ain't had coffee from anywhere east of Padre Island in years.

Padre Island can, of course, seem pristine.

These statements, however, do not square with the historical pattern of gas exploration on Padre Island.

The island's southern end connects by roadway to Padre Island.

But like most national parks, Padre Island is caught between conservation and recreation.

Here on Padre Island, park service officials hand out highlighted copies of the 1962 law that created the national park.

Padre Island suffered significant devastation, and the island's sensitive ecosystem was altered by the storm.

In 1852, King purchased a false title to the southern half of Padre Island.

The longest of these islands, and the world's largest barrier island, is Padre Island.