Maritime Museum

In downtown Corpus Christi near the waterfront is an area that has a few museums, parks and other points of interest. In one area, about 2 blocks square, are a number of older homes that have some architectural or historical significance. They have been moved to this area and restored. As a result, this area looks like an old town with beautifully restored homes, yards and walkways. This is typical of what most of them look like.

There were a number of different styles of house dating back before the civil war. They were all beautifully restored and furnished.

They are still adding new buildings and there is room for a lot more in the future. This is what some of them look like before the restoration is done. A lot of work to be done.

Just down the street is the Maritime Museum. This freighter was going by as we went into the museum. Kind of a maritime picture which suits the museum, right?

In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue. He crossed the Atlantic in 3 ships and discovered North America. As we all know, he was sponsored by Queen Isabella of Spain and sailed under a Spanish flag. In 1992, the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America, Spain had exact replicas made of the 3 ships and sailed them to the U.S.. After all the voyages and ceremonies were over, Spain donated the ships to Corpus Christi. They sat in harbour as tourist attractions until a couple years ago when a barge broke loose and damaged 2 of the ships. They have been placed here for restoration. This is the Pinta.

This is the Santa Maria. When it was brought into dry dock it was found to be in bad shape so they have started a major restoration to save it. To be as historically accurate as possible, these ships were built of pine, the same as the originals. Back then, ships weren't expected to last much more than 10 years so were usually built of the cheapest wood. These were built about 10 years ago and are badly rotted.

The third ship, the Ninia, is still floating at another pier and is expected to last longer as long as it stays wet. They seem way too small to be crossing the ocean and must have bobbed like crazy in big waves. Not for me.

Inside the museum they have a big section on ship wrecks which happened along the Texas coast and have been researched and artifacts retrieved. There are hundreds of items on display and well documented histories of the ships and their wrecks. These anchors were from a Spanish galleon which sank in the 1600's.

There is a section on fossils and underwater predators. This pteradon was as big as a person and had a 20' wing span. If he wants your french fries at the beach, just let him have them!

In the maritime animal exhibit there were thousands of different fish and sea shells. This crab is huge. The sign says their arms get up to 12' total length. This ones about 10'. Thats a King Crab!

There is an area about early human habitation. I found this diorama beautiful. It shows early man looking on North America for the first time. Imagine how awe inspiring that would have been.

From this balcony at the museum you can see the Gulf of Mexico and the Lexington carrier behind me. Behind the glass enclosure on the left is the Aquarium and behind that are the $1.00 margaritas. This shows how all the major attractions are so close. Our RV park is about 10  minutes away. Very handy.