Arts, Culture and Heritage
A Brief History
The story of how our city received this name goes back hundreds of years. Legend has it that in 1519, on the Roman Catholic Feast Day of Corpus Christi, Spanish explorer Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda discovered this semi-tropical bay.
Colonel Henry Lawrence Kinney later established the area as a frontier trading post around 1838. Kinney was an adventurer, impresario, and colonizer. Kinney's Trading Post or Kinney's Ranch, as it was known, remained an obscure settlement until 1845, when U.S. troops set up camp in preparation for war with Mexico.
Troops were encamped in Corpus Christi with General Zachary Taylor until 1846, when the army marched southward to the Rio Grande to enforce it as the southern border of the United States. About a year after the war, the City officially took the name Corpus Christi because a "more definite postmark for letters was needed."
Corpus Christi is now home to the largest city on the Texas Coast and is the sixth largest port in the nation. Corpus Christi boasts a rich culture and heritage.
Explore and Learn
Interested in learning and experiencing more about Corpus Christi? Explore featured museums, cultural events, historical parks, and research collections below.
Art Center of Corpus Christi
The mission of The Art Center is to nurture and promote regional artists and art as a service to our diverse community.
Art Museum of South Texas
The Art Museum of South Texas presents exciting exhibitions, offers dynamic education programs, and actively collects and preserves a permanent collection that educates all communities.
Bay Jammin’ Concert and Cinema Series
Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation invites everyone to enjoy the annual Summer Bay Jammin’ Concert & Cinema Series at Cole Park Amphitheater.
Corpus Christi History
Our libraries, historical parks, and public art both enrich and reflect our community. Explore these free activities and resources to learn more about Corpus Christi history.
Harbor Playhouse Community Theatre
The Harbor Playhouse has helped to preserve and enrich the artistic and cultural heritage of the Coastal Bend for 94 years.
Photo Credit: 2024 Google; Image Capture: June 2023
Museum of Science and History
Engaging our community in the exploration of science, history, and innovation in the Corpus Christi and Coastal Bend region.
Photo Credit: Museum of Science and History
Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures & Education Center
This museum bridges the rich histories and cultures of Asia with Texas through a vast collection of art and artifacts.