Nueces County Courthouse

Nueces County Courthouse, Built: 1914, Closed: 1977, Corpus Christi, Texas



In 1853, lawlessness in Nueces County, which covered most of the area from Corpus Christi to the Mexican border, prompted the construction of the first county courthouse on this block. Three lots were purchased for $300 from Corpus Christi founder, Henry Lawrence Kinney (1814-1865). A second courthouse was built in the mid-1870's beside the first. Under the administration of county Judge Walter F. Timon (1872-1952), this neo-classical structure was completed in 1914 at a cost of $250,000. The architect, Harvey L. Page (1859-1934) of Washington, D.C., designed the International and Great Northern Railroad station in San Antonio and Laguna Gloria in Austin, home of former Corpus Christi resident Clara Driscoll. Additions were made to the buildings in the 1930's and 1960's. Courtrooms and offices were on the first four floors. The top two floors, separated from the rest of the building by an air space to eliminate noise, served as the jail. In addition to government offices, apartments were provided until the 1950's for the jailer and other county officials.
 
As of today,the Corpus Christi city council has voted to have it torn down.

Downtown Corpus Christi

Some of  the buildings, in downtown Corpus Christi, are in a state of decay.  If you look closely you can see the changes that have taken place to theses  buildings over the years.  Note the wood over the bricked in windows in the 6th picture, and the doorways that lead to no-where.  This building used to be a department store in the 50's.  The bottom two photos allude to what used to be a drug store.

Some of  the buildings, in downtown Corpus Christi, are in a state of decay. 

Bluff Tunnel

Built in 1929, The Bluff Tunnel closed in 1977 after becoming a haven for vagrants and illicit activity. Despite a 1992 plan by the Heart of Corpus Christi to reopen it, a 1996 visioning plan that listed its restoration as a priority and former Mayor Henry Garrett's interest in reopening the area in 2000 when he was a councilman, the rusted gates remained shut.

The tunnel has street entrances at Lower Broadway and Leopard Street in front of Wilson Plaza. There are also entrances to the tunnel in the basements of the 600 Building and what is now the Wells Fargo Building.

The "Tunnel" at Cole Park

There is supposedly a tunnel, running from Cole park to a house or houses on the other side of Ocean Drive.  We found the opening (which is bricked in), and it left me wondering what was behind the bricked in doorways.

Abandoned Super Track Grand Prix

I've passed by this abandoned race track, every weekend for the past seven years, and finally got a chance to go take a look, after seeing a side gate open. After about 20 minutes, we walked to the back and saw the "No Tresspassing" sign posted by the Corpus Christi police, and figured it was time to leave.

I've heard stories, from some of the younger adults in the area, spending time here as kids and how much fun it was.  The track had bumper boats, putt-putt golf, a catapillar ride (which looks intact, but sort of sad) and of course, the go carts.  No one really knows why it closed.