Singer Las Cruces Ranch Site

Sun shading (lidar)

Adjust simulated sun direction on the lidar hillshade. Azimuth = compass bearing of the light (0° north, 90° east). Altitude = height above the horizon (low = long shadows).

Historical map overlays

USGS scanned historical topographic maps. Enable an overlay and adjust its opacity. Works in 2D and 3D.

Sun azimuth: 315°   Sun altitude: 45°   Z factor: 1   Lidar opacity: 1
center: —   mouse: —   zoom: —

Singer Las Cruces Ranch Site

Lost Treasure TX • Kenedy County County
Description
South Padre Island historic seat of John Singer's Las Cruces Ranch on the former Padre Ballí grant — base for cattle, shipping, wreck-master profits, and beachcombed Spanish treasure that fed the Money Hill legend.
Historical Notes
Singer bought the Santa Cruz Ranch in 1851, rebuilt on Ballí's foundations, and operated near strategic Brazos Santiago Pass during the Civil War era. Union forces burned the house for firewood after expelling the Union-sympathizing family in 1861; mid-1900s visitors claimed to find "Lost City" homestead ruins but verification remains disputed. The ranch sat in the corridor where Singer gathered Spanish coins from the beach and, by legend, a wooden chest of jewelry before caching wealth in Money Hill dunes.
Status / Verification legend — Legendary or approximate

Take Add Data / Take Notes

Log in or create an account to save private field notes for this location. Your notes are only visible to you.

Forgot password?
or

Enter your email and we'll send you a link to reset your password.

Back to log in
or