Week Four: Accomplishments --- Info. on Coliseum & CC's Environment

One of the accomplishments I made while creating the works of my project was being able to interview somebody I wasn't exactly close too. I found out A LOT of information of the Harbor Playhouse, my second home, and now I'm finally able to say why some things are immensely historical over at the Harbor. I know the reason why there are names engraved on the chairs, I know why there's a plaque in the front of the building, I know why it is located in that very spot... the list goes on. A few things I learned about Ruthie Kalbfleisch's project on the Coliseum -- 1) A great number of events were taken place there like concerts, festivities, and plays. 2) It was demolished in the year 2010. 3) The city was supposed to build a lot more buildings in the same area but now it is just a parking lot. A few things I learned about Sabrina Chapa's project on the Environment of Corpus Christi --- 1) The refineries down here affect our environment enormously. 2) The EPA, not many people know about it, and its effects on the city. 3) It was created around 44 years ago.

Week Three: Reflection

Putting this whole project together was pretty difficult. I mean this whole journey went by so fast! Choosing a topic, visiting different places, gathering information (reading & interviewing), and then putting it all together. It also amazes me at same time because I realized how much information I was missing out on. I'm very happy knowing that this assignment was assigned to my class. I think I need to just keep on editing my video... I don't think it will be able to fit the 8-10 minute limit. Oops. Haha, sorry Mr. Martinez.

Historical Marker #3 - Nueces Hotel

I have never visited this Historical Marker until that day I took a picture next to it. I learned that it was built in the early 1900s to attract people down to Southern Texas. The hotel was known for its Peacock Alley and Tropical Garden. During the war, one of the more serious fights occurred at a Junior Coed dance in the Tropical Garden of the Nueces. It had over 200 guest rooms and was a great place to stay during the summer when most families went on vacation. Although times were hard during Hurricane season, the hotel still brought in people from all over. It represents how Corpus's development involved the entire community as well as their surrounding area. I really enjoyed visiting this historical marker because it is located downtown and I live on the Southside... sooo I don't really get to come down here that much.

Historical Marker #2 - The Harbor Playhouse

I chose this marker because it is directly associated with The Harbor Playhouse and is located inside of it. Even though this isn't exactly a "historical marker", I feel that it plays a huge factor in its history here in South Texas. Never have I ever taken a picture of this marker, let alone pay mind to it. I've constantly passed it for the past 5 years I've been involved at the Harbor and I finally understand the importance behind it. I am truly grateful to have had this opportunity to accumulate a great amount of research about this place, considering the fact that it is practically my second home. This whole journey turned out to be pack with interesting and fascinating information and junior year/summer 2014 memories.
I finally understand the meaning behind going farther and beyond the limits that were set. Once I found all the information/facts that I needed, I just kept on going. I can honestly say that I've not once had this happen to me before when dealing with a history project.. Not once. When I found information about the Playhouse that I never knew before (which happened 90% of the time... haha) I wanted to know more and more, and I promise you... it was worth it.

CC Downtown Library Experience Numero Dos

After going to the Library the first time, I realized that there was much more information I was able to retain. This time I focused on the details, unlike the last time I focused on the main events taking place at The Harbor Playhouse (my topic). I really enjoyed going to the La Retama Center Library and being able to see where and how The HP started.
The WOW: There is sooo much information! I didn't believe that I would find a lot of articles/archives from way back when but boy was I wrong! So much info. so little time.
The UGH: I wish I had more interviews/pictures from the 1950s and 60s... I also wish that there were more articles involving the entire community and their input on The Harbor Playhouse.

Week Two: Downtown CC Library Experience Numero Uno

First of all, I'd just like to say thank you to Mr. Martinez. Him assigning the class to head over to the La Retama Central Library for research was such a great idea! I love how much information/pictures I was able to pull from each of the three thick folders I found... but instead of typing EVERY detail of my experience, here are a couple of pictures! -- Which does involve Ruthie & Sab :)

Week One: Corpus Christi History Progress

These past few weeks have been a bit rocky in trying to find information on The Harbor Playhouse. Dealing with the amount that I do have, it is a good portion of what will be included in my project. I've found out a lot about The Harbor Playhouse. One thing is that it used to be called The Little Theater and so I have to look up factoids and other information under "two places". Their website and a couple of other ones have given me a few paragraphs about the theater and has really given me that push I need to complete this project. Soon I will be incorporating interviews/pictures/articles/facts and more about this wonderful place. Hope you enjoyed reading!

A Few Memories of Buc Days

Melody Johnson (2nd farthest on the right near the sea)

A couple of years ago my little sister, Melody Johnson, performed in the Buc Days Parade with her Silver Anchor Dance Team just like I did when I was her age. She noticed a lot of people of many cultures gathered at this parade and were either performing or just having a good time. After having to perform along with her other dance team members she would watch the other performances. She noticed that there were many kids around and a great amount of them were her age. 
Melody went on a few rides, ate different foods for the first time, and even met a few new people/friends. 

Buccaneer Days are experienced by many and dates all the way back to the year of 1938. This year marks its 77th year and is continuing in honor of the city's founding with music festivals, parades, rodeos, carnivals, events, and much more. The Buccaneer Days' significance is mainly composed by the fact of how it encompasses its festivity around the history of Corpus Christi.

Historical Marker #1 - Cheston L. Heath School

Riddle: “Where would they first educate Mexican schoolchildren?  If you look nearby, you may see a place where some people without an education have unfortunately spent some time”.

Ruthie & I at The Nueces County Courthouse

The answer didn't exactly come to us right away but soon enough we were brought to the Nueces County Courthouse where the site of the Cheston L. Heath school once stood. I learned that the Courthouse The Corpus Christi Independent School District had a list of academics and English taught to the city's Mexican-American students in the year of 1896. The number of student enrollment increased immensely after World War I and the school thrived until it was closed in 1968 and the students were mixed into the other district schools.The are expanded and the school district became the site of the Nueces County Courthouse in the year of 2000. At first I thought the marker was going to be pretty small but once I got up close to it, I had to scoot away just to read it. The impact it has made on the lives of Mexican-Americans is still shown today and this marker is one f them.

Introduction to my blog you ask?

Hello world and all who inhabit it! My name is Rose Johnson and yes, this is my blog. After Mr. Martinez assigned us to creating a blog consisting of Corpus Christi's history, I realized how much I didn't even know about the city I've been living in for almost 10 years now. 
When I moved here to Corpus, I brought everything I knew about the U.S. as well as my Chamorron culture.

I started to adapt to the "American" culture, crossing out what I assumed how things/people in America would be like. At first, I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do here in Corpus. I tried ballet, gymnastics, did soccer, and even took dance classes until I found The Harbor Playhouse. I've been involved with the Harbor Playhouse since 2009 and haven't looked back since. 


Ever since this assignment was given by Mr. Martinez, I automatically knew that the history of The Harbor Playhouse would be my topic. It's a topic that I would definitely enjoy covering and that I knew an amount of information on. Some goals that I hope to achieve for this project? Gather as much information as I can, learn as much as I can, and have as much fun as I can. Haha, wish me luck (or to break a leg?) Thanks for reading!

Dr. Hector P. Garcia at TAMUCC?

Yesterday my friend, Ruthie, and I went to TAMUCC's 2014 Island Day. While we were there we learned that on campus was the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Plaza and Statue.  

We immediately made sure to visit the plaza/statue and snap a couple of pictures. Haha, it was a pretty awesome experience considering the fact that Dr. Garcia has made such an impact on our country. 

                   

Another cool thing about the plaza is that it is favorited by many students on campus.

Hopefully my fellow classmates at CHS will get the chance to visit the plaza/statue before we all graduate. Thanks for reading!