Corpus Christi in Nueces County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Irishtown
Photographed By Steve Gustafson, June 12, 2010
1. Irishtown Marker
Inscription.
Irishtown. . Bounded by Twigg and Tiger Streets, Hall's Bayou and Corpus Christi Bay, the section of the city's Ward One known as Irishtown included primarily Irish residents, although there were also Anglo Americans, Mexican Americans, African Americans, Greeks and others. By the 1830s, Irish settlers migrated to San Patricio in response to advertising in the northeastern U.S. by empresarios McMullen and McGloin. Others came with the establishment of Henry L. Kinney's trading post or after serving under Gen. Zachary Taylor during the U.S.-Mexican War (1846-48). Many early settlers were carpenters, laborers, farmers, cattlemen, merchants, or blacksmiths., In 1853, a Methodist church began in Irishtown; its building provided space for school as well as worship services. Builders constructed the Nueces County Courthouse that year, followed by the second, built in 1875 and known as the Hollub Courthouse, and third, built in 1914. By the late 1880s, the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway reached the city, with a depot on Tiger Street. By 1900, Irishtown had a volunteer firefighting unit, Shamrock Hose Co. No. 4. The community also had a baseball team which played on a field at the intersection of Chaparral and Fitzgerald Streets. Nearby was Artesian Park, where bands featuring neighborhood musicians held concerts and festivals, and politicians campaigned for office., Although Irishtown declined after the replacement of the Bascule Bridge with Harbor Bridge in 1959 and the loss of county offices in 1977, the Bayfront Science Park would become home to museums, convention and event facilities, and Heritage Park, which includes several residences of old Irishtown. Today, the historic neighborhood continues to be an area rich in culture and heritage. . This historical marker was erected in 2007 by Texas Historical Commission. It is in Corpus Christi in Nueces County Texas
Bounded by Twigg and Tiger Streets, Hall's Bayou and Corpus Christi Bay, the section of the city's Ward One known as Irishtown included primarily Irish residents, although there were also Anglo Americans, Mexican Americans, African Americans, Greeks and others. By the 1830s, Irish settlers migrated to San Patricio in response to advertising in the northeastern U.S. by empresarios McMullen and McGloin. Others came with the establishment of Henry L. Kinney's trading post or after serving under Gen. Zachary Taylor during the U.S.-Mexican War (1846-48). Many early settlers were carpenters, laborers, farmers, cattlemen, merchants, or blacksmiths.
In 1853, a Methodist church began in Irishtown; its building provided space for school as well as worship services. Builders constructed the Nueces County Courthouse that year, followed by the second, built in 1875 and known as the Hollub Courthouse, and third, built in 1914. By the late 1880s, the San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railway reached the city, with a depot on Tiger Street. By 1900, Irishtown had a volunteer firefighting unit, Shamrock Hose Co. No. 4. The community also had a baseball team
Photographed By Steve Gustafson, June 12, 2010
2. Irishtown Marker
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which played on a field at the intersection of Chaparral and Fitzgerald Streets. Nearby was Artesian Park, where bands featuring neighborhood musicians held concerts and festivals, and politicians campaigned for office.
Although Irishtown declined after the replacement of the Bascule Bridge with Harbor Bridge in 1959 and the loss of county offices in 1977, the Bayfront Science Park would become home to museums, convention and event facilities, and Heritage Park, which includes several residences of old Irishtown. Today, the historic neighborhood continues to be an area rich in culture and heritage.
Erected 2007 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 14040.)
Location. 27° 48.338′ N, 97° 23.693′ W. Marker is in Corpus Christi, Texas, in Nueces County. Marker is at the intersection of Chaparrel Street and Fitzgerald Street, on the right when traveling north on Chaparrel Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Corpus Christi TX 78401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 863 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 22, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.