Laguna Vista Recreational Association

A HISTORY OF THE LAGUNA VISTA COMMUNITY MARINA AND THE LAGUNA VISTA RECREATIONAL ASSOCIATION

In 1938, developers Robert F. Roloff and his wife Marion A. Roloff purchased the
Laguna Vista, Texas townsite, then “initiated, financed and directed the development” of
the townsite.

Thirty two years later, in its November 12, 1970 issue, The Port Isabel Press reported “The original townsite of Laguna Vista included a total of 400 acres and development thus far consists of 106 permanent homes, a 6,000 (linear) foot seawall abutting the Laguna Madre and all basic utilities such as streets, power, water and sewer.” The article continued “The small community also has its own fire and police protection and a Marina which can accommodate 35 craft.”

On September 30, 1971, Robert F. Roloff and his wife Marion A. Roloff, Laguna Vista Developers donated 4 parcels of land to the Village of Laguna Vista. Three
parcels were together on one deed but the fourth parcel, the Community Marina, designed and built by Mr. Roloff, was on a separate, individual deed. When the Roloffs conveyed these generous and meaningful gifts to the people of Laguna Vista, The Port Isabel Press reported Mr. Roloff intentionally kept the Community Marina separate “to ensure that the people of the Village who were most interested in the Marina, its use and protection, would be the ones to direct its maintenance and determine its improvements from time to time.”

To accomplish this goal, Mr. Roloff created a not-for profit corporation, the Laguna Vista Recreational Association (LVRA) to enter into a 50 year lease with the (then) Village of Laguna Vista to manage the Marina. Mr. Roloff served as a Board Member and Officer of the LVRA for many years.