Centennial House
(The Britton-Evans House)
411 Upper Broadway
Corpus Christi, Texas 78403
361-882-8691
Hours: Thursdays 10:00am-2:00pm

Built in 1849 by Forbes and Rebecca Britton, on land acquired from Col. Henry Kinney, the founder of Corpus Christi, it is the oldest building in Corpus Christi still on its' original site.  A site which in its' day would have afforded the residents a commanding view of the city's most important commercial pier, Mann's Wharf.

Centennial House is open for tours on Thursdays from 10:00am-2:00pm...Special tours for groups of 10 or more are available by calling 361-882-8691 or emailing via the link below...Special rates are available to those wishing to rent the House for meetings, receptions, etc.

More Information Contact: info@ccahs 

For information on other heritage tourism ideas in our area, visit www.texastropicaltrail.com

 McGloin Homestead
The home of Empresario James R. McGloin , built in 1855, was the first frame building in the old colony of San Patricio de Hibernia. It is the only remaining Empresario's home in Texas. The Homestead is located off County Road 60, 2 miles off of Highway 666 in San Patricio, between Bluntzer and Mathis, when coming from Bluntzer take CR 60 to the left at the Old San Patricio Trading Co.

Open 3:00-5:00 pm
2nd Sundays........................February - October
2nd Tuesdays......................November - January
For more information or to make a reservation contact:
Knolle Farm & Ranch......361-547-2546
Centennial House..............361-882-8691

This history is taken from the writings of Hallie F. Nixon entitled "How It All Started".  The writing of Mrs. Nixon are housed in the permanent files at Centennial House, Corpus Christi, Texas.

On May 20, 1963, at the invitation of Hallie Nixon, Mamie Searcy Kleberg, Minerva King Patch, Marie Jordt Zerr, Edward H. Harte, Dr. McIver Furman and Edwin Flato met for the purpose of starting a Heritage Society, with the primary goal being the saving and preserving of Centennial House.  It was agreed that this was desperately needed but that it was useless to proceed if funds could not be raised from enough interested donors giving $1000.00 to become founding members.  In January 1964 the organization was officially formed and its articles of incorporation signed by the members.  A $25,000.00 gift from Rachal and Ben Vaughn, coupled with the founding memberships enabled the project to begin.

Consultants on the project included David Warren, Curator of Bayou Bend, New Orleans historical architect Samuel Wilson, landscape architect Ralph Gunn and interior designers Norman and Muriel Foster.  Architect O'Neal Ford was also consulted and pronounced Centennial House to be "the finest example of masonry classic revival architecture in existence south of Austin".  By 1971 the exterior of the house was restored and the selection of furnishings reflecting the period of the Britton family occupancy, 1850-1860, had begun.  David Warren gave the final evaluation of the furnishings and the goal was finally reached.  Centennial House had become a house museum depicting the life of a wealthy Corpus Christi family of the 1850s.

In 1979, The Society purchased, from Hubert McGloin, the home of the Empresario James McGloin and the surrounding 25 acres, located in San Patricio, Texas.  In 1981, Mr McGloin deeded the subsequent 291 acres of wilderness area to The Society as well.  Mr McGloin had restored the McGloin Homestead prior to his selling it to The Society.  Currently the Homestead is open to the public once monthly for tours and other times as requested.  It is the goal of The Society to preserve South Texas heritage through education and enlightenment.