Texas Cities

Region: Gulf Coast

City is major deep-water port and one of Texas' most popular seacoast playgrounds. First European to have visited area is believed to have been Spanish explorer Alonzo de Piñeda in 1519. First settlement began as frontier trading post founded 1839 by impresario-colonizer Col. Henry Lawrence Kinney; obscure settlement until about 1845 when accelerated growth began. Institutions of higher learning are Del Mar College and Texas A&M University—Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi Seawall, with steps to the water, was built in the late 1930s as part of a major landfill that created Shoreline Boulevard and the popular "T" head docks for pleasure boats. Corpus Christi Beach, north of downtown over the bridge, is the site of the USS Lexington and Texas State Aquarium, and it offers park areas, picnic tables, showers and rest rooms. From the Corpus Christi Marina, watch the colorful sailboat regatta every Wednesday evening.

The Harbor Bridge (U.S. 181) arches 235 feet above the water. A pedestrian walkway has spectacular views of the harbor and city. Beneath the bridge, an observation platform offers close-up views of ships entering and leaving the port.

In keeping with the city's image of having glistening waterways, Corpus Christi's Water Garden at Bayfront Arts and Science Park sparkles for visitors who see, hear and touch the garden's water.