Coastal Bend History
Coastal Bend History - List
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Doc McGregor: A man and his camera
'Doc' McGregor came to Corpus Christi as a chiropractor in 1929. By the time of his death in 1986, he left behind a prolific photo collection of the city he loved.
Drive-In movies in Corpus Christi
Many people may not remember the last full-time movie drive-in in the City of Corpus Christi. Maybe that's because the last one closed more than 40 years ago.
Corpus Christi and presidential politics
Another election is in the books and none of the major presidential candidates made a stop here in the Coastal Bend. But it wasn't always that way.
The historic Tarpon Inn
Port Aransas has existed since the late 1800s and has been called by several names. But one thing has always been a constant in this little beach town: the Tarpon Inn.
Del Mar College - Part 1: The Early Years
If you've lived in the Coastal Bend for any length of time, you've heard of Del Mar College, but before it was Del Mar it had a much simpler name. We go back over 90 years to its beginning this week.
Del Mar College - Part 2: 1952-1970
When many junior colleges around the country were closing down, Del Mar College was growing in the 50s and 60s. We continue to explore the history of Del Mar College in this week's CBH.
Del Mar College - Part 3: 1970-2000
Now known as the Windward Campus, it was originally built to free up space for academics on the Heritage Campus. Mr. Parks is talking Vo-Tech in this week's Coastal Bend History.
Del Mar College - Part 4: 2000-2024
In this week's Coastal Bend History, we're looking at the last 24 years of Del Mar College's story and wrapping up our four-part series about the history of this Corpus Christi institution.
The historic 1914 Nueces County Courthouse - Part 1&2
While it's not much to look at now, the old Nueces County Courthouse was once the finest courthouse in the state.
The historic 1914 Nueces County Courthouse - Part 3
Nearly half a century after it went out of service, the 1914 Nueces County Courthouse remains abandoned. This week's Coastal Bend History explores the 47-year-old fight to restore it.
The historic 1914 Nueces County Courthouse - Part 4
The historic 1914 Nueces County Courthouse has been in limbo since it went out of service in 1977. While the building has been purchased several times, nothing has ever been done with it.
The historic 1914 Nueces County Courthouse - Part 5
After nearly 50 years since its last day in service not much has been done with the 1914 Courthouse. In 2010 the county once again began pushing for demolition. -
Historic Heritage Park
There's a good chance you've been to Heritage Park, but how did this collection of historical homes all end up in one place? It all started with a fear of Corpus Christi's history being demolished.
Corpus Christi's first historian - Mary Sutherland
Mary Sutherland was an influential woman in Corpus Christi in the early years of the new century, but her biggest contribution to the city was preserving its past.
A new High Bridge for the Port of Corpus Christi
Construction on the new Harbor Bridge continues and as crews work to meet the deadline, the sun is setting on the iconic structure it will replace.
Birth of the Bayfront Arts and Science Park
The original plans for the Arts and Science Park of Corpus Christi were not where it stands today. This week's Coastal Bend History explores the history of this important part of the city.
Corpus Christi's Island University: Part 1
Most people know Ward Island as the home of Texas A&M - Corpus Christi, but its history goes much deeper. Come back to the 1940s with us in this week's Coastal Bend History.
Corpus Christi's Island University: Part 2
The Island University has grown and changed since it began as a Naval Training School. This week we continue the story of Ward Island.
The historic Bluff Balustrade
Separating uptown from downtown, the Bluff Balustrade helped transform Corpus Christi from a sleepy Gulf Coast town into a major coastal city.
Chief William Red Fox
For four decades, one man made it his mission to dispel myths about Native Americans and he lived right here in Corpus Christi.
The marvelous Mrs. Charlotte Sidbury
One home started Heritage Park and its original owner was a woman of major influence in Corpus Christi at a time when women were not generally afforded the opportunity.
Two historic Corpus Christi cemeteries
In the shadows of Buc Stadium are Holy Cross and Rose Hill Cemeteries. While they aren't the city's first cemeteries, they hold a great amount of its history.
A new way to shop in Corpus Christi
Downtown Corpus Christi used to be the area's hub for shopping, but one project started a trend that would move shoppers to other areas of town, and it may not be what you're thinking.
A new concept: Parkdale AutoTown
Nowadays in Corpus Christi, SPID is the Mecca of car shopping, but back in the day, the first auto-plaza in the Coastal Bend was in the Parkdale area. Buckle up as we take you to car paradise. -
Downtown's oldest building
You may have passed this building on the corner of Mesquite and People's many times, but did you know it's the oldest standing commercial building in the whole area?
Our city's protector - The Seawall
Many people use the seawall as a place to fish, relax or take in nature, but the structure itself has a major purpose.
Corpus Christi's biggest celebration: Buccaneer Days
Buc Days is the city's biggest bash of the year, but how did it all get started? Get ready to climb aboard the way-back machine for a history lesson on all the swash-buckling fun!
The iconic Hotel Breakers
At the turn of the century, North Beach was the place to be when it came to summer fun in Texas, and for 58 years one hotel was at the center of the North Beach universe.
Corpus Christi's "Blue Ghost" - Part 1: Arrival
Many people in the Coastal Bend have grown up with the Blue Ghost moored here in Corpus Christi Bay, but its journey from war to museum is filled with history.
Corpus Christi's "Blue Ghost" - Part 2: Dedication
After nearly 50 years in service, the USS Lexington found its final homeport in Corpus Christi and in November of 1992, she was officially dedicated as the USS Lexington Museum.
Corpus Christi's "Blue Ghost" - Part 3: Legacy
Despite being retired for more than 30 years, the Blue Ghost continues to be recognized for her historic importance.
The incomparable Lichtenstein's
For nearly 100 years one store dominated the area. Despite its dominance, the only reminder left is its name. This week's Coastal Bend History follows the path of the Lichtenstein Department Stores.
A downtown building with a notorious past
With a rich history and a semi-sorted past, this nearly 100-year-old building at the corner of Starr and Water Street has served Corpus Christi for a long time.
A dedicated educator: Miss Mary Carroll
Carroll High School is a name in Corpus Christi known for football, baseball, and its countless graduates, but how much do you know about the woman it's named for?
Saturday night at the Speedway
In this week's Coastal Bend History, we'll take you back to the glory days of Corpus Christi Speedway, the place to be for high octane excitement in the Coastal Bend.
Bob Hall Pier and the name behind it
Over the years, Mother Nature has destroyed the piers the people of Nueces County have put up over and over in the Gulf of Mexico, but one thing has never changed; they've all been called Bob Hall. -
A majestic new high school for Corpus Christi
You may not be able to tell by looking at the Miller HS campus, but there is nearly a century of history on that campus.
Corpus Christi's first state baseball championship
The Coastal Bend has a rich history of baseball, but the first championship came more than half a century ago.
One of Downtown's oldest buildings - and still standing
You may have been around it many times and not even noticed it, but this building's stucco facade hides a beautiful building with a storied past.
A majestic Water Garden for the Bayfront
For years, the Corpus Christi Water Garden was one of the Bayfront's most visited spots. But from its conception, it has seen its share of troubles.
The first federal building in Corpus Christi
You may recognize it as the Thomas J. Henry Building on Starr Street, but in its 107 years in Corpus Christi, it's been so many things.
CC International: A new airport for a growing city
From humble beginnings as an air-mail stop to a major air travel hub still in use today, commercial aviation in the Coastal Bend has seen a lot of change.
Moses Menger: A story of redemption
Menger Elementary School was named after a long-time Corpus Christi educator, but his story is more than just his time in the school district.
Ocean Drive's popular Beach Club
Ocean Drive and Airline was once a hot spot for teens in Corpus Christi. From boat racing to live music, it had it all. But as contributor Robert Parks explains, mother nature had other plans.
Taylor Street: Then and now
In some cities, change is slow. Neighborhoods look the same for decades. But in some areas, change can be dramatic and swift. Taylor Street in downtown Corpus Christi has undergone dramatic change.
The beautification of Corpus Christi
Tirelessly striving to make Corpus Christi a beautiful place to live, Evelyn Price spent her time and energy proving that "You Can't Stop Corpus Christi".
The Christmas Miracle of 2004
While our meteorologists say there's no chance for a white Christmas in the Coastal Bend this year, it's not a far-fetched idea.
A Corpus Christi Christmas past
We've gathered a selection of Christmas photos from the Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi Special Collections and Archives to share. -
Corpus Christi’s Cole Park - Part 1
Over the years Cole Park has grown into a massive recreation area along the Bayfront, and an iconic tourist attraction. Hard to believe in the beginning it was just six acres of land.
Corpus Christi’s Cole Park - Part 2
Cole Park started from humble beginnings and later became one of Corpus Christi's favorite parks. Contributor Robert Parks explains how it wasn't always the beautiful park we know today.
Corpus Christi's first airport
Corpus Christi International Airport is the gateway to the world here in the Coastal Bend but, it wasn't the first. The city's first was built nearly a century ago.
Ben Garza - Champion of civil rights
Most people know of the Ben Garza gym, or Ben Garza Park on the West Side of town, but do you know the history behind the name?
A tribute to veterans: Sherrill Park and the man behind the name
Sherrill Veteran's Memorial Park Stands as a memorial to Coastal Bend men and women killed in the line of duty. Contributor Robert Parks looks at the history behind the park and its possible future.
Corpus Christi's historic Bayview Cemetery
Born during conflict and steeped in history, the Old Bayview Cemetery was almost buried and forgotten were it not for a group of women and a newspaper man.
The good doctor - Robert H. Simpson
One man's obsession had roots in one of the deadliest events in the Coastal Bend. His fascination with all things weather would eventually help improve forecasting and save countless lives.
The Art Center: A Bayfront building with a storied past
Some would argue the Art Center of Corpus Christi on Shoreline is itself a work of art, but it wasn't always so prestigious. In fact it had a much more humble beginning.
Corpus Christi's World War I Memorial
Although it took more than a decade to build it, the city has a long story behind its World War I Memorial, located in Spohn Park.
The Wilshire Street cone
A 10,000 pound ice cream cone that at one time was the focus of a Corpus Christi neighborhood - the focus of this week's Coastal Bend History.
The unique South Texas Art Museum
In this week's Coastal Ben History, contributor Robert Parks explores the history of the Art Museum, from concept to construction.
South Bluff Park: One of the city's oldest
It's been in use for more than 110 years and it has grown since it was first created. In this week's Coastal Bend History, contributor Robert Parks looks at its humble beginnings. -
Corpus Christi's first round buildings
Contributor Robert Parks looks at the city's first new building shapes to take on old characteristics in this week's Coastal Bend History.
Coastal Bend remembers the 104th anniversary of the 1919 Hurricane
Thursday, Sept. 14 marks the 104th anniversary of the Hurricane of 1919, one of the deadliest hurricanes to come to the Coastal Bend.
Wilbur Clark's Crest Hotel
If you've ever been on the Corpus Christi Bayfront, chances are you've seen the Emerald Beach Hotel, but do you know the history of that hotel?
Sam Wilson and his tower
Ada Wilson is a name instantly recognized by those who have lived in Corpus Christi long enough. Her husband, Sam Wilson, a true Texas oil man, also left a lasting impact on the city and its skyline.
Grisham's and that famous milk bottle
If you've been to North Beach, you've probably driven right by it and wondered what it was. A bottle-shaped building advertising an RV park. But do you know the history behind that unique bottle?
Corpus Christi's first indoor malls
When the first indoor mall was built in Corpus Christi, it forced the city to create new construction rules, and that was just the start.
William DeRyee: A true Renaissance man
From a revolutionary in Bavaria to a pharmacist in Corpus Christi, William Deryee's life followed a winding road.
The tragic story of Hazel - The name behind the park
If you haven't been, you've at least heard about Hazel Bazemore Park in Calallen, right on the Nueces River, but do you know the history behind the park's name?
The Memorial Coliseum: Part 1 of 3 - Construction
Completed in 1954, the Memorial Coliseum instantly became the most recognizable building on Corpus Christi’s bayfront skyline.
The Memorial Coliseum: Part 2 of 3 - The glory days
What do Van Halen, The Shrine Circus, The Harlem Globe Trotters, and high school proms all have in common?
The Memorial Coliseum: Part 3 of 3 - Demolition
The city had outgrown the aging Memorial Coliseum, and the difficult decision had been made to demolish the building that had held so many memories for so long.
A penny at time: The story of Moore Plaza
When looking for Corpus Christi success stories, few can match that of Alan Lovelace "Dinty" Moore and his wife, Blanche. -
Watsonia - A unique Ocean Drive house
The home that sits at the corner of Louisiana and Ocean Drive, once known as Watsonia, is an architectural anomaly in the Coastal Bend.
An iconic Shoreline building gets a new life
Built in 1947, this distinctive looking building on Shoreline Boulevard has housed famous celebrities of the 60s and was later renovated into a first-class office complex.
The birth of Mary Carroll High School
In the years following World War II, Corpus Christi’s population was exploding, and the city’s boundaries rapidly expanded to the south and the west. A new high school was needed.
Only in America: The story of a man named Doddridge
Doddridge Street is only one mile and mysteriously becomes Weber Road, but who is the man it was named for that forever changed Corpus Christi?
A fence older than our nation sits on Ocean Drive
It might be one of the oldest structures in the city, so what is the story behind the fence surrounding this beautiful Ocean Drive home?
That iconic Whataburger photo and one tragic story behind it
Nearly every Whataburger has it. A photo of a baseball team being treated to a burger after a game sometime in the 1950s. But what is the story behind it and what happened to number 11 on that team?
In search of Clara Driscoll
Seventy-five years after her death, the name Clara Driscoll is still one of the most recognizable in Corpus Christi.
Just call me 'Zip'
Mexican immigrant Cipriano Ramirez Gonzalez came to America for the American dream and became part of a movement that changed the Corpus Christi Hispanic community forever.
The Princess Louise Hotel
Once a luxurious hotel by the water, this building has seen a lot in her 94 years on the Corpus Christi Bay
The Donigan Home: Ocean Drive's most recognizable house
Immigrants from the Ottoman Empire, the Donigan family came to Corpus Christi and lived the American dream and built one of the city's most famous homes.
Exposition Hall: 30 years of exhibits, dances, and conventions
We all have great memories and stories about Memorial Coliseum, but we tend to ignore it's companion building...Exposition Hall.
Walter Pope: A man that was larger than life
Corpus Christi has been the home of numerous "larger than life" figures who have contributed immeasurably to the growth and success of the city. -
The Pope Building was one of Corpus Christi's first tall buildings downtown
Once known as The Pope Building, the building has been called the Sea Gulf Villa since 1979 when it was converted into apartments.
The ever changing downtown scene
One building in downtown Corpus Christi on the corner of Mesquite and William has taken on many different roles over the years.
Whataburger #4: A walk back in time
The corner of Gollihar and Kostoryz has had a Whataburger on it since the early years of Texas' favorite hamburger chain
Corpus Christi's first and most historic park
Located in what would become the heart of downtown Corpus Christi, Artesian Park quickly became the most popular meeting spot for social gatherings, political rallies, band concerts, and recreation.
A forgotten final resting place
Isolated in the Hillcrest neighborhood, the New Bayview Cemetery was a grand location to be buried in at the beginning of the 20th century.
Downtown sign has stood the test of time
Painted on the back of the Lovenskiold Building, the Bingham Drugstore sign is a small reminder of Corpus Christi’s distant past.
That beautiful house on the bluff
One of the last of the magnificent mansions that lined the city's bluff, this grand home is as elegant today as it was 100 years ago
The (nearly) indestructible Japonica
In the days before the Gulf Clipper and the Flagship, there was the Japonica...a 98 ft. long vessel that docked at the end of the Pleasure Pier.
The remarkable life of Tito Rivera
I came across his toppled headstone in Old Bayview Cemetery one day in 2016. I had photographed it back in the 1990's, still intact and standing tall...a real tribute to a remarkable man.
