Heritage Park in Corpus Christi is home to twelve beautifully restored historic homes, with the oldest dating back to 1851. Many are recognized as Texas Historical Landmarks, each reflecting the city's diverse cultural roots and architectural styles. Together, these homes create a living tribute to the people and communities who shaped Corpus Christi's history. With shaded walkways, a central plaza, and the Lytton Memorial Rose Garden, Heritage Park is an inviting stop for anyone interested in local history, culture, and a walking tour of Corpus Christi's past.
French-Galvan House
Back to Top of ListLocated at 1581 North Chaparral Street, the Galvan House was built in 1908 by attorney A. M. French and designed by his wife, Frances Garrett French. The couple wanted a home that could host both family and friends. In 1942, Rafael Galvan, Corpus Christi’s first Mexican American police officer, purchased the home. The Galvan family owned the property until 1982, when it was moved to Heritage Park. The Colonial Revival design is notable for its classic Ionic columns, symmetrical two-story porch, and beveled glass door and sidelights. The Galvan House stands as a reminder of Corpus Christi’s rich cultural history and the Galvan family’s community leadership.
Haunted Highlight:
Visitors often describe feeling an invisible tap on the shoulder or hearing footsteps echoing up the stairs toward the attic. During paranormal investigations, Spirit Box Sessions have captured eerie electronic voices, and on one occasion, the porch lights flickered on and off in response to questions. The French-Galvan House continues to intrigue ghost hunters and curious guests drawn to its lingering mystery.
Grande-Grossman House
Back to Top of ListAt 1517 North Chaparral Street, the Grande-Grossman House blends two distinct family legacies. Benito Grande, who arrived in Corpus Christi in the late 1870s, was a successful businessman and saloon owner who built the home in 1904. In 1925, Ida Grossman Cohen purchased the house, bringing it into one of the city’s most notable Jewish families. Moved to Heritage Park in 1982 and restored in 1985, the structure reflects a mix of Craftsman and Prairie architectural elements, including brick piers and extended roof brackets. The Grande-Grossman House reflects Corpus Christi’s cultural diversity and evolving architectural trends of the early 20th century. The Grande-Grossman House is currently home to the Tejano Civil Rights Museum.
Ward-McCampbell House
Back to Top of ListBuilt around 1908, the Ward-McCampbell House at 1501 North Chaparral Street once stood on Water Street near Corpus Christi Bay. Mary Alice Ward McCampbell, widow of County Attorney William Berry McCampbell, lived here with her three sons. During the 1919 hurricane, the family took refuge on the second floor as floodwaters rose more than 20 feet. Mary later died of pneumonia, reportedly from standing watch during the storm. The house was moved to Heritage Park in 1983 and restored with its original Ionic columns and wraparound porch intact. It stands as both a tribute to early 20th-century craftsmanship and a story of human endurance.
Haunted Highlight:
The Ward-McCampbell House is said to still be watched over by Mary Alice Ward McCampbell, who survived the devastating 1919 hurricane only to die of pneumonia the following year. Visitors and staff have reported strange occurrences linked to her restless spirit. Unexplained noises echo through the house whenever someone approaches the patio, and tour guides have found themselves mysteriously locked out as if Mary is reminding them this is still her home. Those brave enough to explore have claimed to glimpse her apparition on the balcony, a spectral reminder of the storm that changed her life forever.
Jalufka-Govatos House
Back to Top of ListThe Jalufka-Govatos House, located at 1513 North Chaparral Street, was built around 1905 by James Jalufka in the historic Irishtown neighborhood. A veteran of the Spanish-American War and World War I, Jalufka worked in the cotton industry, while his wife, Helen “Captain” Jalufka, earned her nickname by running a successful boat works business. In 1944, Pete and Minnie Lee Govatos, active in Corpus Christi’s Greek community, purchased the home. The structure reflects the Southern Bungalow style with broad gables, paired porch columns, and a rusticated block foundation. Restored by the Czech Heritage Society of South Texas, the Jalufka-Govatos House honors the area’s immigrant influence and community resilience.
Merriman-Bobys House
Back to Top of ListOne of the oldest surviving structures in Corpus Christi, the Merriman-Bobys House was built in 1851 by lawyer and land developer Walter Merriman. The home once served as a hospital during both the Civil War and the yellow fever epidemic of 1867, which claimed nearly a third of the city’s population. In later years, it became a gathering place for local writers and artists before being moved to Heritage Park in 1982. Constructed from native wood and square nails, the home features a shellcrete fireplace and an open porch typical of early Texas architecture. The Merriman-Bobys House offers a glimpse into the city’s earliest days of settlement and community.
Haunted Highlight:
During the Civil War and yellow fever epidemic, the Merriman-Bobys House served as a makeshift hospital under Dr. Eli T. Merriman, who later died of yellow fever himself. Some believe his spirit still lingers in the home he once used to treat the sick. In later years, when the building operated as a restaurant, staff reported seeing a woman in period clothing walk through the front door and vanish, her face always hidden from view.
Gugenheim House
Back to Top of ListThe Gugenheim House at 1601 North Chaparral Street was built in 1905 for Simon and Lila Bell Gugenheim, members of a well-known local business family. It was relocated to Heritage Park in 1977 and restored a few years later. The Victorian-style home features a square turret, tri-faceted porches, and detailed gingerbread trim typical of the late 19th century. This home’s unique architecture and preserved details make it one of the most visually striking structures in Heritage Park.
Littles-Martin House
Back to Top of ListThe Littles-Martin House at 1519 North Chaparral Street celebrates one of Corpus Christi’s earliest Black families. Hattie Moore Littles and her husband, Willis, were the first Black Catholics in the city, baptized in 1915 with John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy as their godparents. The Kenedys later gifted them this home, which was moved to its current site in Heritage Park in 1986. Restored by the NAACP, the house is a classic example of Queen Anne Victorian Cottage architecture, featuring a hip roof with gables, chamfered bay windows, and decorative shingles. Its hand-carved pine door and tigerwood fireplace mantle showcase fine craftsmanship and reflect the cultural pride of the Littles and Martin families. The Littles-Martin House was home to the Corpus Christi NAACP Headquarters, but is currently under construction for renovations.
Sidbury House
Back to Top of ListBuilt in 1893 at 1609 North Chaparral Street, the Sidbury House was commissioned by Charlotte Cook Scott Sidbury, a rancher, civic leader, and businesswoman who never lived there herself. The home is the only surviving example of High Victorian architecture in Corpus Christi. Its ornate design includes wraparound verandas, balconies, steep roofs, delicate woodwork, and a distinctive Moorish arch over the front steps. The Sidbury House was moved to Heritage Park in 1927 and restored by the Junior League in 1977, preserving its elaborate Queen Anne charm.
Haunted Highlight:
Visitors and paranormal investigators have reported strange activity at the Sidbury House, including sightings of a woman peering from the upstairs window and a child’s ghost roaming the second floor. Objects have been known to move on their own, dolls mysteriously rearrange themselves, and some guests describe an eerie feeling of being watched from behind the front door.
Julius Lichteinstein House
Back to Top of ListAt 1617 North Chaparral Street stands the Lichtenstein House, built in 1905 by Julius Lichtenstein, son of the founder of the Lichtenstein Department Store. This family played a major role in Corpus Christi’s early business development, operating one of South Texas’s most successful retail establishments for over a century. The home combines Colonial Revival simplicity with Victorian details, including a turret topped with clerestory windows. In 1977, the Junior League of Corpus Christi restored the home for educational and artistic use, preserving one of the city’s finest examples of early 20th-century architecture. The Lichtenstein House is currently home to the Instituto de Cultura Hispánica Museum.
Lawrence House
Back to Top of ListBuilt in 1893 on McBride Lane, the Lawrence House was moved to Heritage Park in 1999. The house was so large it had to be transported by barge down to the cargo dock before being loaded on a trailer for its final move. Theodore Merchant “Buddy” Lawrence and his wife, Cora Garrett Lawrence, raised six children here. Buddy Lawrence was one of Nueces County’s earliest advocates for the vegetable truck farming industry in the 1890s, helping open regional markets through Corpus Christi’s shipping routes. He later served as County Judge and County Commissioner, promoting the “New Roads” movement that turned rural trails into paved roads and oversaw the construction of the first causeway over Nueces Bay. Restored by the Veteran’s Band of Corpus Christi, the Lawrence House remains one of the city’s important historical landmarks.
Carroll House
Back to Top of ListBuilt in 1911, the Carroll House, sometimes referred to as the Mary Carroll House, stands as one of the historic residences preserved within Corpus Christi’s Heritage Park. The home has long been associated with the Carroll family, early advocates for education and civic development in the city. Mary Carroll, a respected educator and the namesake of Mary Carroll High School, reflects the family’s lasting influence on Corpus Christi’s growth and community values. Relocated to Heritage Park as part of the city’s preservation efforts, the house continues to tell the story of Corpus Christi’s evolving neighborhoods and stands as a quiet reminder of the city’s early 20th-century character and the community leaders who helped shape its future.
Britton-Evans (Centennial) House
Back to Top of ListAlso known as the Centennial House, this home at 411 North Upper Broadway Street is the oldest surviving structure in Corpus Christi still on its original site. Built around 1849 by Captain Forbes Britton, it served as a Confederate hospital during the Civil War and later as a Union officers’ quarters. Constructed from shellcrete and featuring classic Texas Greek Revival architecture, the house offers insight into the area’s early frontier life. The Britton-Evans House remains a symbol of Corpus Christi’s endurance through wars, epidemics, and the test of time.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, architecture admirer, or simply curious about Corpus Christi’s roots, Heritage Park offers an unforgettable walk through time. Each restored home tells the story of the people who helped shape the city, from early pioneers to community leaders. To experience these stories firsthand, contact Enjoy Corpus Christi Tours for a guided historical or haunted tour that explores the city’s past and the legends that still linger in Heritage Park. Be sure to check out our upcoming events for even more ways to enjoy Corpus Christi. For insider tips and inspiration, explore our visitor guides packed with local favorites and hidden gems. And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the loop on the latest happenings along the coast.
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