1970 by Matthew Brady

“1970 Saw Increase in Port Traffic”, Christi Port Book. Navigation Commissioners. April 1971.

In 1970, a total of 31.6 million tons of cargo was being handled at the Port of Corpus Christi, which was increase of more than a million tons over the total from the previous year. The Main Harbor handled 20.6 million tons compared to 19.9 million in 1969. The increase in cargo includes bulk of grains, metals, ores, petroleum, oyster shell, and “other cargo.” There were slight drops in shipments of liquid chemicals and dry chemicals, as well as cotton. Port officials remain on the lookout for increases of petrochemicals, bulk ores, and metal concentrates the next year, as they are environmental hazards.

Access Information: This official publication can be found on the second floor of the La Retama Central Library. The librarian there can help assist anyone looking for primary sources.

“Du Pont Co. May Build Plant Near Ingleside”, Corpus Christi Caller, April 9, 1970.

The chemical plant owned by Du Pont Co. of Wilmington Del, announced that it will be built on 1,500 acres of land near Ingleside. The map provided indicates the site near Ingleside, but exact boundaries are unknown. According to the spokesperson, it was being decided on building the plant based on economic facts. He also noted that it’s also being considered for its ability to produce number of chemical products. There seems to be no regard to the environmental hazards that this plant may bring to Ingleside.

Access Information: This newspaper/Map can be found in vertical files in the second floor of the La Retama Central Library. The librarian there can help assist anyone looking for primary sources.

“Du Pont Decision on Ingleside Land is Possible Soon”, Corpus Christi Caller, July 9, 1970.

Du Pont Co. is deciding on whether the 1,500-acre chemical plant being built on Ingleside. There are many factors to consider, as having this plant would be huge investment. First being that the plant would be able to produce huge quantity of chemical products. Second being that representative requested permit to drill waste disposal well and dispose of waste. He noted that the well will be drilled to a depth of 5,550 feet. With these facts on hand, it will be decided on the hearing on whether to build this plant or not on August 10, at 11AM.

Access Information: This newspaper/Map can be found in vertical files in the second floor of the La Retama Central Library. The librarian there can help assist anyone looking for primary sources.

“Minority Reports Cites Advantages of R&M Damsite”, Corpus Christi Caller, July 11, 1970.

Two of the ten members of the Waters Subcommittee had voiced their concerns over the R&M damsite. The disadvantages of the dam include higher investment/larger financial commitment, the wildlife development at R&M reservoir would be better for the area in terms of revenue, and water supply would be expensive. In addition, they had expressed concern that the dam would damage land value around Lake Corpus Christi because it would remain drawn down much of the time. Despite their concerns, minority report had noted that having the damsite would create higher revenue for Corpus Christi. R&M would be valued at $3,581,700 verses Choke Canyon at $1,858,150. The table on next page shows stat comparison of the two damsites.

Access Information: This newspaper can be found in vertical files on the second floor of the La Retama Central Library. The librarian there can help assist anyone looking for primary sources.

Pena, Raymond. “Hurricane Damage Report Given.” Texas Gulf Coast Register. Sept. 4, 1970.

On August 25, 1970, the Corpus Christi Area School Board had met at Incarnate World Academy Lounge to discuss the damages that the hurricane Celia had on the community. It was reported to the board that due to excessive damage to the parish Church, repairs were being made to the building immediately, as it was one of the few school buildings that suffered the most damage. On the next page shows the statistics that Hurricane Celia caused. For example,18 people had died and 4,462 are reported as injured. The hurricane caused immense destruction to the city of Corpus Christi.

Access Information: This newspaper can be found in the database “The Portal to Texas History”, available at TAMU-CC Bell library. Faculty, staff, and students can access this information anytime. Community members can use these online resources but need to check at the circulation desk and ask to log in to computer.

Spencer Pearson. “Wyatt, Morrill Argue Dam”, Corpus Christi Caller, Feb 11, 1970.

Oscar S. Wyatt is trying to build a 8,000 acre R&M damsite near Choke Canyon. Other people against this decision like Morrill and accused him for misleading statements about his project, such as this damsite being five miles from the nearest point of the proposed Choke Canyon Reservoir. Morrill noted that since Wyatt has no property in the R&M site, he asked Wyatt if he owned any oil or gas areas there. Wyatt then responded saying that he has three little wells there but are of little significance. In the next page of the newspaper, Wyatt admitted to Morrill that he indeed owns leases near R&M site but were not sure of the exact locations. Ralph Emmord, former member of the water district board, accused him of lying about the project and claimed it would take 19 years for Choke Canyon reservoir to fill the dam, since it was built in 1942.

Access Information: This newspaper can be found in vertical files on the second floor of the La Retama Central Library. The librarian there can help assist anyone looking for primary sources.

“There are many Reasons to Vote against building a Dam at the R&M Site”, Corpus Christi Caller, Feb 5, 1970.

As the title says, there are many disadvantages of having a Dam at the R&M site. First point is the damsite would lose fertility of 36,000 acres of the nation’s richest farmland, which is something to consider. In addition, it requires enormous deposits of sand and gravel needed for the construction, which would cost $15 million. The foundation of the dam would not be able to withstand decades of the pressure of 986,000-acre feet of water, and if it fails, could deal catastrophic damage to Corpus Christi. Lastly, the dam would not be a good basin as the water would be more shallow, which would cause 26,000 acre-feet of water to evaporated per year verses the dam being built at Choke Canyon.

Access Information: This newspaper can be found in vertical files in the second floor of the La Retama Central Library. The librarian there can help assist anyone looking for primary sources.

WBAP-TV (Television station: Fort Worth, Tex.). [News Script: Hurricane], item, August 12, 1970, 10:00.

Hurricane Celia caused millions of dollars in property damage to Corpus Christi. It resulted in the disruption of segregation schools in Corpus Christi. This problem is significant because Federal Judge Woodrow Seals of Houston had approved for the segregation of schools in Corpus Christi. In addition, the storm damage altered population density estimates, and new plan must be established. The judge told all attorneys to get together and come up with a new plan for the schools.

Access Information: This news script can be found in the database “The Portal to Texas History”, available at TAMU-CC Bell library. Faculty, staff, and students can access this information anytime. Community members can use these online resources but need to check at the circulation desk and ask to log in to computer.

WBAP-TV (Television station: Fort Worth, Tex.). [News Script: Hurricane], item, August 27, 1970, 10:00.

Hurricane Celia had caused enormous damage for the people of Corpus Christi. It was so bad that most property was damaged and caused people to be unemployed. As a result, more than 6% of the people were jobless. Furthermore, thirty-one cities are placed in that category. Corpus Christi is the first city in Texas reported as having an unemployment problem.

WBAP-TV (Television station: Fort Worth, Tex.). [News Script: Hurricane], item, September 14, 1970, 10:00.

Hurricane Ella had bypassed the Texas Coast and residents there were relieved that they had not been affected by this catastrophe. They had recently been affected by Hurricane Celica, in which it had caused significant damage to their communities. Jack Brown, WBAP Newsman, had to detour to Mexico due to the movement of Hurricane Ella. He was able to visit the city to get insight on the City’s recovery program. This was vital to get awareness to what was going on for the people there, as much of the property was damaged from Hurricane Celica.

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