Corpus Christi in Nueces County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Snapka's Drive-Inn
Photographed By James Hulse, September 1, 2021
1. Snapka's Drive-Inn Marker
Method Snapka was born October 5, 1916, in Abbott, Texas, as the fifth of six boys. He learned to cook for the family at a young age. During the late 1930s, Method Snapka moved to Corpus Christi along with his brother, Rudy, and they left soon after to serve in WWII. After the war, the brothers returned and Method became the Clerk of the Corporation Court for the city of Corpus Christi. The brothers decided to travel down toward the Rio Grande Valley to find a location for their restaurant venture. The Robstown Snapka's Drive-Inn opened on July 5, 1948, with a menu of hamburgers and Mexican dishes. The brothers hired a cook and a carhop and quickly found success. Method met Maxine Winkler at the Naval Air Station where she worked and the couple wed on January 24, 1949. Soon after, the brothers decided to open a second location at Highway 9 and Navigation Boulevard on Corpus Christi's west side due to the area's post-war growth. Local architect Morris Levy designed the Leopard Street location and incorporated the parking-under awnings concept made popular by drive-inns. In 1953, Method left his position to work full time running
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Snapka's became popular due to the proximity of the Leopard Street location to Roy Miller High School, known at the time as Corpus Christi High School. Snapka's became a popular hangout for students after football games and for families to socialize with their neighbors. The Leopard location suffered heavy damage during hurricane Celia in 1970, but Method rebuilt the drive-inn. There were five Snapka's locations in Texas over the years. Two locations remain and they continue to be run by the Snapka family.
Erected 2016 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18481.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Hispanic Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is January 24, 1949.
Location. 27° 47.861′ N, 97° 26.907′ W. Marker is in Corpus Christi, Texas, in Nueces County. Marker is at the intersection of Leopard Street and Cantwell Lane, on the right when traveling west on Leopard Street. The marker is located at the entrance to the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4760 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi TX 78408, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Grossman-Graham House (approx. ¾ mile away); Matthew Dunn (approx. one mile away); Corpus Christi College-Academy
Photographed By James Hulse, September 1, 2021
2. The front entrance to Snapka's Drive-Inn
Photographed By James Hulse, September 1, 2021
3. The “parking-under” awning at Snapka's Drive-Inn
Photographed By James Hulse, September 1, 2021
4. The view of the Snapka's Drive-Inn from across the street
Credits. This page was last revised on October 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 152 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 3, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
