Corpus Christi in Nueces County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The John Dunn, Jr., Homesite

Photographed by James Hulse, September 1, 2021

1. The John Dunn, Jr., Homesite Marker

Inscription. John Dunn, Sr., (1803-1889) immigrated to the United States from Ireland in 1851. He began acquiring large amounts of property in Nueces County, including this site which he purchased in 1868 from Jonas Pickles. This section of his landholdings was inherited by his youngest son, John Dunn, Jr. (1853-1941).

Dunn, Jr., began working as a young boy herding sheep for his father. He received most of his schooling in Father Gonnard's School for Boys in Corpus Christi. As a young man, Dunn participated in posses that captured Mexican raiders and horse rustlers. He eventually acquired nearly 12,000 acres of ranch land and was known throughout the Corpus Christi area for his philanthropic land donations, particularly to the Roman Catholic Church.

The one-story section of this home was built by Dunn in 1889 in anticipation of his marriage to Mary Tom (1856-1937). The home served as headquarters for Dunn's ranching operations and was enlarged as his family grew. Located on land that has been in the Dunn family since 1868, the homesite stands as a reminder of early Nueces County settlement.

Erected 1985 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 6312.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 27° 48.835′ N, 97° 28.365′ W. Marker is in Corpus Christi, Texas, in Nueces County. It is at the intersection of Up River Road (County Highway 54) and Dunn-Meany Road (Highway 52A), on the left when traveling west on Up River Road. The marker is located along the south side of Up River Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5825 County Road 54, Corpus Christi TX 78407, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Corpus Christi College-Academy (approx. 0.4 miles away); Matthew Dunn (approx. 1.1 miles away); Snapka's Drive-Inn (approx. 1.9 miles away); Grossman-Graham House (approx. 2½ miles away); Kelsey Memorial Methodist Church (approx. 4.2 miles away); Héctor Pérez García, M.D. (approx. 4.3 miles away); Galvan Ballroom (approx. 4.3 miles away); a different marker also named Galvan Ballroom (approx. 4.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corpus Christi.

Also see . . . Irish.

Natives of Ireland were among the first settlers in Spanish-ruled Texas, and the story of the Irish in Texas is in many ways coincident with the founding of the republic and the development of the state. The heritage
Photographed by James Hulse, September 1, 2021

2. The reverse of the John Dunn, Jr., Homesite Marker
of the Irish seems in retrospect to have peculiarly suited their migration to a new land, for the English dominance of Ireland must have been to the new colonists in Texas a close parallel to the oppression they eventually found in the new country. It is not surprising that as many as twenty-five Irishmen probably signed the Goliad Declaration of Independence, that four signed the actual Texas Declaration of Independence, and that 100 were listed in the rolls of San Jacinto, comprising one-seventh of the total Texan force in that battle. Source: The Handbook of Texas

(Submitted on October 3, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the John Dunn, Jr., Homesite Marker from the road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 1, 2021

3. The view of the John Dunn, Jr., Homesite Marker from the road

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 770 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 3, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.