Timeline of Corpus Christi, Texas facts for kids

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Corpus Christi, Texas, USA.

Prior to 19th century

• 1519 - Spaniard Alonso Alvarez de Pineda travels to bay on day of religious Feast of Corpus Christi.

19th century

• 1821
  • Mexico gains independence from Spain
  • The Old Indian Trading Grounds become part of Mexico.
• 1828
  • Known as the Old Indian Trading Grounds.
  • Manuel de Mier y Terán toured through Mexico's province of Texas. Terán noted that some officials favored Corpus Christi as a port, referring to the area on the bay since there was no settlement called Corpus Christi at the time.
• 1829 - Traders are known to have landed on the coast on the Corpus Christi Bay. No civilization is apparent to traders.
• 1836
  • Texas gains independence from Mexico
  • The Old Indian Trading Grounds become part of the Republic of Texas although the area was claimed by both Texas and Mexico.
• 1839 - Henry Kinney sets up trading post (also known as "Kinney's Ranch").
• 1840
  • On January 17 the unrecognized country of the Republic of the Rio Grande claimed the area south of the Nueces River which included Kinney's Ranch.
  • On November 6 the Republic of the Rio Grande collapsed.
  • Possession of the area returns to the Republic of Texas while Mexico still claimed the area as its own.
• 1845
  • August: Kinney's Ranch becomes a major U.S. military outpost under command of Zachary Taylor.
  • December 29: Kinney's Ranch becomes part of the United States of America after annexation of the Republic of Texas.
• 1846
  • March: U.S. military troops depart.
  • Town becomes seat of newly created Nueces County.
• 1847 - Town renamed "Corpus Christi" ("something more definite for a postmark on letters.")
• 1852
  • September 9: Corpus Christi incorporated.
  • Residents elect city council and mayor, Benjamin F. Neal, who served from 1852 to 1855.
• 1860 - Population: 175.
• 1861 - Corpus Christi becomes part of the Confederate States of America.
• 1862 - August: Town besieged by U.S. forces.
• 1865 - Confederate States of America collapse and possession returns to the United States of America.
• 1870 - Population: 2,140.
• 1875 - Conflict between "local settlers and Mexicans."
• 1876 - A city charter was adopted.
• 1883 - Corpus Christi Caller newspaper begins publication.
• 1890 - Population: 4,387.

20th century

• 1910 - Population: 8,222.
• 1911 - Corpus Christi Times newspaper begins publication.
• 1912 - Roman Catholic Diocese of Corpus Christi established.
• 1914
  • County courthouse constructed.
  • August 1: Rotary Club of Corpus Christi chartered, the 125th club of Rotary International. Rotary was instrumental in the early development of Corpus Christi, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Port.
• 1919 - September: Hurricane occurs.
• 1926
  • September: Port of Corpus Christi opens.
  • Intracoastal Waterway opens.
• 1927 - Corpus Christi Public Library established.
• 1928 - Grande Theatre built.
• 1929
  • League of United Latin American Citizens founded.
  • Corpus Christi Caller-Times newspaper in publication.
• 1930
  • Oil discovered in vicinity of Corpus Christi.
  • Population: 27,741.
• 1935 - Del Mar College founded.
• 1937 - KRIS radio begins broadcasting.
• 1940
  • Beach Theater in business.
  • Population: 57,301.
• 1941
  • March 12: U.S. military Naval Air Station Corpus Christi commissioned.
  • "Sea wall" built.
• 1947 - University of Corpus Christi founded.
• 1950
  • North Padre Island Causeway opens.
  • Population: 108,287.
• 1951 - Osage Drive-In cinema in business.
• 1956 - KRIS-TV and KZTV (television) begin broadcasting.
• 1957
  • Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History established.
  • Astor Restaurant established
• 1959 - Harbor Bridge opens.
• 1960 - Corpus Christi International Airport opens.
• 1968
  • Frances Farenthold elected to Texas House of Representatives from the 45th district.
  • Padre Island National Seashore dedicated near city.
• 1970
  • August 3–4: Hurricane Celia occurs.
  • Population: 204,525.
• 1972 - Art Museum of South Texas established.
• 1980 - August: Hurricane Allen occurs.
• 1981 - Sunrise Mall in business.
• 1983
  • "Selena Quintanilla Pérez of Corpus Christi wins the Tejano Music Award."
  • Solomon Porfirio Ortiz becomes U.S. representative for Texas's 27th congressional district.
• 1985 - Port of Corpus Christi designated a foreign trade zone by U.S. Department of Commerce.
• 1989 - Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi active.
• 1990
  • Texas State Aquarium opens.
  • Greyhound Race Track in business.
• 1991 - USS Lexington Museum established.
• 1995 - March 31: Pop singer Selena shot and killed.
• 1998 - City website online.
• 2000 - Population: 277,454.

21st century

• 2003 - Corpus Christi designated an All-America City.
• 2004 - December 24: Snowstorm occurs.
• 2007 - Senor Jaime's erected a 12 ft Rooster which is now a city monument.
• 2010
  • Only a Handful releases the Corpus Christi theme song "I'm from Corpus"
  • Population: 305,215.
• 2011 - Blake Farenthold becomes U.S. representative for Texas's 27th congressional district.

Images for kids

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  After Hurricane Allen, 1980

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  Snow in Corpus Christi, 2004