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Historic Sea Gun structure leveled
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| The historic hotel at the Sea Gun property at the north end of the Copano Bay Causeway has been demolished to make room for a multi-use development on the site. The hotel had deteriorated and had not been used for many years. Photos by MIKE PROBST |
The historic Sea Gun Sports Inn has been demolished to make way for a $75 million project. The old pink structure had deteriorated and had not been in use for years.
According to information provided by the current developers of the property, the legend of the Sea Gun site began in 1933 when John Howard Mills built the Mills Wharf family compound which included cottages and a fishing and hunting camp.
“There wasn't a bridge or causeway then so the only way in was by boat,” said Mills' grandson, current Aransas County Judge C.H. “Burt” Mills Jr.
The natural beauty of the site caught the eye of the late Dallas oil mogul Toddie Lee Wynn who owned a 19,000-acre ranch on Matagorda Island. His purchase of Mills Wharf in 1960 was a further expression of his deep affection for the area.
Wynn built the original Sea Gun Sports Inn which in its heyday in the 1960s and 70s. It was a sportsman's paradise which attracted national political figures and Hollywood celebrities such as Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack.
The quaint pink cottages rented for under $20 per night. The restaurant and its Reef Club catered to anglers and hunters who rose early to roam the bays. The sports inn offered a total recreational experience with its fishing charter service and professional guides, game cleaning and packing services, private duck blinds, a marina, swimming pool, and tennis courts.
For a moonlight cruise, fishing trips or birding excursions, the Whooping Crane was available with Captain Brownie at the helm.
Sea Gun became a landmark at the foot of the causeway leading to Rockport, but it was an era which sadly began to fade with the passing of years.
Brett Bohn of Lakeland Development Company, whose family, the Rouquettes, have lived in the area since the 1800s, said, “The revival of Sea Gun is consistent with the vision I have of a Lamar Peninsula which will be enjoyed by generations to come,”
Infrastructure work has begun, and demolition of the existing Sea Gun Hotel and Restaurant is paving the way for the Sea Gun of the future.
Bohn's company and Aransas Bay Interest's David Pilgrim and Alan Latham, current owners of Sea Gun are redeveloping the property.
According to information provided by the current developers of the property, the legend of the Sea Gun site began in 1933 when John Howard Mills built the Mills Wharf family compound which included cottages and a fishing and hunting camp.
“There wasn't a bridge or causeway then so the only way in was by boat,” said Mills' grandson, current Aransas County Judge C.H. “Burt” Mills Jr.
The natural beauty of the site caught the eye of the late Dallas oil mogul Toddie Lee Wynn who owned a 19,000-acre ranch on Matagorda Island. His purchase of Mills Wharf in 1960 was a further expression of his deep affection for the area.
Wynn built the original Sea Gun Sports Inn which in its heyday in the 1960s and 70s. It was a sportsman's paradise which attracted national political figures and Hollywood celebrities such as Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack.
The quaint pink cottages rented for under $20 per night. The restaurant and its Reef Club catered to anglers and hunters who rose early to roam the bays. The sports inn offered a total recreational experience with its fishing charter service and professional guides, game cleaning and packing services, private duck blinds, a marina, swimming pool, and tennis courts.
For a moonlight cruise, fishing trips or birding excursions, the Whooping Crane was available with Captain Brownie at the helm.
Sea Gun became a landmark at the foot of the causeway leading to Rockport, but it was an era which sadly began to fade with the passing of years.
Brett Bohn of Lakeland Development Company, whose family, the Rouquettes, have lived in the area since the 1800s, said, “The revival of Sea Gun is consistent with the vision I have of a Lamar Peninsula which will be enjoyed by generations to come,”
Infrastructure work has begun, and demolition of the existing Sea Gun Hotel and Restaurant is paving the way for the Sea Gun of the future.
Bohn's company and Aransas Bay Interest's David Pilgrim and Alan Latham, current owners of Sea Gun are redeveloping the property.
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| Park upgrades facilities |
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cheri palmer wrote on Mar 15, 2009 10:38 PM: