Heritage Park is the site of twelve historic Corpus Christi homes, the earliest dating back to 1851. Many of the homes are recorded as Texas Historical Landmarks and all have been wonderfully restored. These twelve incredible homes are a tribute to the ethnic diversity and culture of the area. The Multicultural Center, found in the historic Galvan House, provides numerous events year round, providing visitors and citizens alike a taste of the rich culture and heritage of the area. The Center also consists of a Courtyard, Central Plaza and the Lytton Memorial Rose Garden. We will look at two of the houses below.
MERRIMAN‐BOBYS HOUSE
1521 NORTH CHAPARRAL STREET
The Merriman‐Bobys House is the 2nd oldest framework existing in Corpus Christi. (The oldest is the Centennial House found at 411 Upper Broadway.) The framework was built in 1851 by Walter Merriman, a lawyer and land developer. The residence was made use of as a medical center throughout the Civil War and the yellow fever epidemic of 1867. Nearly one-third of the population, featuring Corpus Christi's only 3 doctors, passed away in the epidemic. Your home had many owners over the years, featuring prominent ranchers who utilized it as a town house. Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Bobys bought the home in 1936 and the neighborhood chapter of the Texas Poetry Society held meetings right here. Morris Lichtenstein got your home and later donated it to the City in 1981. It was moved from its original location on the Bluff in 1982 and restored by the Corpus Christi Arts Council. This is probably the most special framework in Heritage Park, yet the most typical of early Corpus Christi architecture. The open deck and shellcrete fireplace are great examples of Early Texas regional architecture. The three distinct gables are the outcome of
additions to the original structure which was created with native wood and square nails. The front entry features a raised panel door bordered by sidelights and a full transom. Your house runs as a dining establishment.
BRITTON‐EVANS 'CENTENNIAL' HOUSE
411 NORTH BROADWAY STREET
This house was built by Captain Forbes Britton between 1849 and 1850. Captain Britton and his wife came to Corpus Christi after the Mexican War. One year later on, Morris Levey of New Orleans became the owner of the property. During the Civil War in 1862 your house came to be a Confederate hospital. It was also made use of as a
healthcare facility and officers' mess hall for the Federal Army in 1866, and as a resident's refuge throughout desperado and Indian raids throughout the 1870s. In 1880, George Evans2 purchased the home and lived there until Southern Mineral Corporation bought it in 1936. The structure is known as the oldest framework existing in Corpus Christi. The Centennial House is the finest instance of masonary timeless revival architecture in presence on the Gulf Coast of Texas. It is completely furnished with genuine antiques of the period, First Empire through 1859. Currently, it runs as a gallery under the support of the Corpus Christi Area Heritage Society.
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| Corpus Christi, from the People's T-head. 8-second exposure. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
