1950 by Alyssa Lucas
Newspapers
“Bids Called on Revised Plan for Negro Housing.” Corpus Christi Times. December 5, 1950. NewsBank: Access World News.
This newspaper clipping talks about housing for people of color, and goes over the cuts which were made to make the housing cheaper. This included things such as using concrete blocks instead of redwood siding and removing doors from things such as closets. Those changes were made because the plan originally exceeded the budget that was made. This shows how housing for people of color was reduced in quality to fit a certain budget.
Access information: For all of the newspaper clippings, access them by using NewsBank: Access World News. This database is available on the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Bell Library website for any TAMU-CC staff or students. If a nonmember wishes to access this database through TAMU-CC, they must visit the library in person and be checked into a computer.
Bynum, Kay. “Real Estate Board Considers Merits of Public Housing Here.” Corpus Christi Caller. May 2, 1950. NewsBank: Access World News.
This newspaper clipping covers the new public housing area available to African Americans which was located in the salt flats area in Washington-Coles. It was a continuation of the article titled “Government” located in the same newspaper. Albert Lichtenstein explains the “very poor of this city” has been neglected and this is supposed to address that. The newspaper labels the area as a “disgraceful slum.”
“Construction of Negro Housing Project Stymied.” Corpus Christi Caller. November 30, 1950. NewsBank: Access World News.
This newspaper clipping covers how housing for African Americans was located in the salt flats area along the Winnebago Street which was in Washington-Coles. It covers how they finalized the project and made it to achieve “a minimum cost level.” It also discusses the materials being used for the apartment such as concrete blocks for the interiors. Construction for this project was meant to be completed in 10 months. This project drew controversy and received protests from “anti-public welfare groups.”
“Contract for Negro Housing Job Approved.” Corpus Christi Times. December 27, 1950. NewsBank: Access World News.
This newspaper clipping covers “low rent housing for negros” which are located along Winnebago Street in the Washington-Coles neighborhood. It covers how the housing was supposed to be ready by December of that year. The article also covers other low-rent dwelling units the Corpus Christi Housing Authority has such as “La Armada I, Wiggins Homes, Navarro Place, and Leathers Center.”
“Government.” Corpus Christi Caller-Times. January 1, 1950. NewsBank: Access World News.
This newspaper clipping contains a variety of topics, but briefly covers housing which was being built in the salt flats which were located in the Washington-Coles area. This document covers how the dumping of trash in the salt flats was discontinued in 1913 when the city of Corpus Christi got an incinerator. This gives notion to the quality of the land the houses were being built on.
Leigh, Graham. “Room for Improvement.” Corpus Christi Caller. May 17, 1950. NewsBank: Access World News.
This newspaper clipping was written by a white woman who lived in one of the “slum areas” in 1950. The letter was written by Graham Leigh who lives in Corpus Christi, and covers the changes she wanted to see in her neighborhood. She talked about the difficulty of living among people who “spoke a different language” and referred to them as “dirty.” Her reason for writing was to argue that “slums” like the one she lived in needed beautification and not areas like Shoreline. This clipping shows the mindset of the time, and explains why beautification was taking place.
“Negro Housing Unit’s Cost to be Slashed.” Corpus Christi Times. November 30, 1950. NewsBank: Access World News.
This newspaper clipping covers how measures were being taken to cut construction costs to the housing units for African Americans. Originally every proposal that was made by commissioners were all above budget. The location of this project was along Winnebago Street in Washington-Coles. The houses were to be made out of materials such as “concrete blocks with redwood trim” and “masonry interior partitions.”
Maps
Blucher, Conrad Meuly von. Project TEX. 8-5 plat. Charles H. F. von Blucher Family Papers, Collection 4, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Special Collections and Archives Department, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. http://hdl.handle.net/1969.6/8604. Accessed April 27, 2022.
This map is a topographic map made by the Housing Authority of the City of Corpus Christi. It shows the port area in 1950 and shows where the salt flats were located. It also shows streets near it such as the Winnebago Street which goes along it. These areas faced large amounts of environmental injustice due to the instability of the land and how it used to be a trash dumping ground before it was used for housing.
Access Information: All maps listed can be accessed by visiting the Mary and Jeff Bell Library website. This collection can be visited by clicking the links listed above. The maps are available to see in person by visiting the Mary and Jeff Bell Library located on the TAMU-CC campus in the Special Collections and Archives section.
Blucher, Conrad Meuly von. Property Line Map Project Tex. 8-5 plat. Charles H. F. von Blucher Family Papers, Collection 4, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Special Collections and Archives Department, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. http://hdl.handle.net/1969.6/8543. Accessed April 27, 2022.
This map is a “Property Line Map” from the “Housing Authority of the City of Corpus Christi.” This map is similar to the one listed above and shows similar areas.
Census
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. 1950 Census of Population and Housing. Enumeration District 258-24.
This is a census which shows the population along Winnebago Street. Winnebago Street was located in the Washington-Coles area. This census shows how the majority of people living among this street were African Americans.
Access Information: To access this census, visit the 1950 Census Website. Once there, then select the city of Corpus Christi to see the census specific to that location. Click the census with listed Enumeration District 258-24.