In an article published in the Wednesday, February 1, 1933 issue of the Port Isabel Pilot featured a story about a photographer taking pictures of fish from the local waters. The article reads as follows:
J. W. Gardner, Harlingen photographer and ardent booster of Port Isabel, was here Saturday engaged in installing an engine in a boat, which he has recently purchased.
Mr. Gardner stated that his boat will be especially equipped for the purpose of taking photographs of marine life. One of the features will be a rack sufficiently large to hang a fish ten feet in length for making a photograph of it.
Mr. Gardner expects to devote considerable time during the next few months to fishing in an endeavor to secure photographs of as many different varieties of fish that are habitats of local waters, as possible.
Eventually he anticipates having one of the most complete collections of photographs of marine life that can be obtained.
