Corpus Christi’s rich history is filled with stories of resilience, leadership, and groundbreaking achievements by African American individuals who shaped the city we know today. From law enforcement pioneers to community builders, these individuals not only broke barriers but also left an indelible mark on the city's cultural and social fabric. Join us as we delve into their lives, their contributions, and the landmarks that stand as a testament to their enduring legacies.

Historic African American People

 

Evan M. Mack

Evan M. Mack served as Deputy City Marshal in 1885 and again in 1891. A brick mason and widower with two sons, Mack was also a veteran of the U.S. Army. Enlisting as a free Black man, he served in Company I of the 116th U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment from 1864 to 1867 and later with the 24th and 38th U.S. Infantry Regiments. In Corpus Christi, Mack was the first captain of Robert's Rifles, Nueces County's first militia company after the Civil War. When Black militia companies were disbanded, the group was renamed Bluff City Guards, and Mack continued as their first captain. He is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Benjamin “Niny” Hardaway

Benjamin “Niny” Hardaway served as Deputy City Marshal in 1886 and 1888. Arriving in Corpus Christi from Vicksburg, Mississippi, at the age of 17, he became the city's first barber, operating a shop on Mesquite Street. Hardaway lived on Blucher Street with his wife, Hannah, and their daughters. He is buried at Old Bayview Cemetery.

Abe Harris

Abe Harris served as a city policeman, taking his oath of office on April 27, 1886. He was a local gardener and is buried at Evergreen Negro Cemetery in Houston. 

Thomas Parrish

Thomas Parrish served as Deputy City Marshal in 1887. He resided at 329 Carancahua Street in 1880 and married Lizzie Jackson in 1883. Parrish initially worked as a carriage driver but later moved to Cuero, Texas, where he became a railway porter. He passed away on April 18, 1904. 

Abraham Coleman

Abraham Coleman, a day laborer, was Deputy City Marshal in 1888. He lived on Tancahua Street with his wife, Narcissi. 

Sanders Hicks

Sanders Hicks served as a special police officer in February 1891. After his wife, Ellen Newman, passed away, he raised their five daughters and two sons. Hicks worked as a day laborer. 

Jerry Johnson

Jerry Johnson was a special police officer in February 1891. Originally from Mississippi, he worked as a laborer. Special police officers were appointed for specific events rather than serving as full-time officers. 

Willie K. Brown

Willie K. Brown patrolled Corpus Christi’s Northside as a police officer in the 1940s. He is among the first African American police officers to be photographed for the Corpus Christi Police Department. 

Deborah Johnson

Deborah Johnson moved to Corpus Christi in 1975 and became the first African American female firefighter for the Corpus Christi Fire Department in 1977. During her 29-year career, she supported the community through volunteer efforts and received the prestigious Paul Kelly Humanitarian Award from the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters. After retirement, she served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for foster children for 14 years. Her son, Dwight, continues her legacy as a Corpus Christi firefighter. 

Notable Highlights

 

  • 1877: The Public Free School for Colored was located in Corpus Christi. It was founded by Solomon M. Coles, who also served as the school’s first principal. 

  • 1925: The Public Free School for Colored was renamed Solomon Coles High School in honor of his work to improve education for African Americans in the city. Today, the school is an alternative high school and education center.  

  • 1952: Desegregation of Del Mar College, which was just a couple years before the landmark ruling of Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. 

  • 1955: On September 12, 1955, 63 African American students integrated eight Corpus Christi schools, including Cunningham, Driscoll, Northside, and Prescott. Newspapers reported the event passed “without incident.” 

  • 1959: Bobby Smith, a football player for Miller High School, became the first Black football player in all of Texas football history to be named to the Texas Sports Writers Association all-state first team. 

  • 1965: The Solomon M. Coles baseball team was the first public school team in Corpus Christi to win a state championship in baseball. The all-Black team, coached by John Clay, won the Class 3A PVIL State Championship. In 2015, the team was honored by the Corpus Christi Hooks, the city, and CCISD for their achievement. 

Historic Places

 

Holy Cross Church and School

Established in 1917, Holy Cross is the second-oldest parish in Corpus Christi. Originally, African American Catholics held Mass in private homes until Mother M. Katherine Drexel, founder of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, helped secure land to build a church and school. 

Hillcrest Neighborhood 

Once a thriving hub for African American-owned businesses and community landmarks, Hillcrest was home to institutions like Solomon M. Coles High School, Holy Cross Church, and Leathers Drug Store. Some of these establishments remain integral to the neighborhood's history. 

Old Bayview Cemetery

There are over 40 citizens of African American ancestry, some of whom were former slaves now buried within a short distance from their former slave owners. Among them is George Owens, a former enslaved man who joined the Union Army during the Civil War and later became a buffalo soldier in the 9th U.S. Cavalry. His simple marker belies a life of service and resilience, embodying the spirit of freedom and opportunity after emancipation. Anna Moore Schwein, a schoolteacher and historian, is another notable figure. Born in 1856 to an enslaved mother brought to Corpus Christi in 1849, Schwein chronicled life in the city through her vivid interviews, providing a crucial window into local Black history from slavery to the early 20th century. These stories, resting in Old Bayview Cemetery, speak to the profound legacy of Corpus Christi's African American community.