Corpus Christi History by Murphy Givens

Wednesday, January 12, 2000

Looking back at 1950

I was thumbing through the City Directory for 1950, looking at the names of the businesses and it struck me, once again, how much Corpus Christi has changed. I wasn't here then, but going through old newspaper archives and looking at photos of that era can give you a good feel for a place. Corpus Christi today bears little resemblance to the city it was 50 years ago.
   Building Harbor Bridge swept away some of the oldest homes on the north end of downtown, in the vicinity of the Caller-Times and the old courthouse. Perhaps even more change resulted from the loss of individual and unique places of business. Corpus Christi in the past 50 years has become much like other cities. Except for the port and the bayfront, Corpus Christi is an extension of Waco.
   What was it like here in 1950 before we entered the era when all American cities present a more or less version of the same picture?
   In 1950, you could go anywhere in the world and not find another Shoop's Grill. Shoop's was run by Bob "Papa" Shoop, who had been a maker of bathtub gin during Prohibition, according to a column by Bill Walraven. Shoop's, decorated with panels showing Corpus Christi's history, was famous for its fresh seafood iced down in buckets and cooked to order. A house special was red snapper baked in foil.
   Cecil Ferrell, a longtime Corpus Christi resident, said he always had a hard time deciding whether to go to Shoop's or Miller's Grill, but knew that he would get a great meal at either place. Shoop's was at 200 N. Water next to Moreman's Tire Co., and Miller's Grill was on Lawrence Street, between the Centre Beauty Salon and Doyle's Pharmacy.
   If it was evening, you might go to Linn K. "Doc'' Mason's Dragon Grill, on Water Street (this was the third location, where the Town Club used to be and where Corpus Christi Grill and Brewery was recently located). The Dragon Grill had an illegal gambling operation on an upper floor, featuring blackjack, slot machines and roulette. It was raided a couple of times, in 1936 and 1953, but the authorities were never able to make much stick against "Doc'' Mason.
   The Dragon Grill must have been the swankiest place in town. Gigi Starnes, in an article published in 1989 by the Nueces County Historical Commission, described the place:
   "Hand-hammered copper doors set in a wood-paneled foyer welcomed visitors. The main floor dining room, the Zodiac Room, could accommodate up to 500 guests. Six large murals there represented progressive scenes of a Swedish couple's courtship and marriage, including The Proposal, Magic Toast, Wedding Feast, Wedding Trip, Festival Parade, and Midnight Festival . . . Between the murals, modern floral panels in coral and silver were placed. Coral was also the dominant color in rococo carpets and ceilings.''
   The Dragon Grill, by most accounts, was a top-notch nightclub, bringing in nationally known entertainers, and a four-star restaurant. Mason was said to keep the largest supply of Maine lobsters anywhere in South Texas.
   Another popular spot in 1950 was on the hill, the Nixon Caf‚, where Lyndon Johnson often stopped when he was in town. The Nixon, in the Wilson Building, was run by three men who emigrated from Metamorfosis, Greece - brothers John and Clem Govatos, and their cousin John Nicols. (John Govatos was Caller-Times Business Editor Tom Whitehurst's grandfather.)
   M. S. Lichtenstein of Corpus Christi said he liked to go to the Nixon Caf‚ after dancing to get the K.C. Sizzlin' Sirloin, which it was famous for. Many others, he said, preferred a steak-and-egg combo called the Weaver's Special. The Nixon stayed open all night.
   Other busy cafes in 1950 were the Manhattan Caf‚, on Peoples and the Mexican & Italian Cafe on N. Water. There was the Chat N' Chew on Leopard and the Toot & Tellum on Staples. (These names were either too clever or not clever enough.)
   There were no McDonald's or Burger Kings then, but there were unique fast-food places, like Hasty Tasty Drive-Ins and Hub Sandwich Shops. There were two Zackie's drive-ins, which were book-ends on either side of Gillespie Buick on Water Street. Zackie's No. 2 was located where the U&I Restaurant is now. There was the Jitter-Bug Drive-In on Antelope and several Pig Stands; the busiest was near the bascule bridge.
   If you were on the south edge of town, where coyotes used to run, there was the Six Points Barbecue and the Six Points Coney Island. Price's Chef was open back then, and still is. Snapka's, also still in business, was popular spot, as well as Pick's on Ayers, known for its fine enchiladas.
   There were many places that were unique to Corpus Christi, like Perkins Borthers Department Store and Lichtenstein's, which in 1950 had been in business for 75 years. Lichtenstein's Tea Room on the fourth floor was a busy place at lunch. Besides H-E-B, the city had its own grocery store chains, like Limerick's and Biel's.
   There were also unusual, one-of-a-kind hotels here then, each with its own personality, including the Nueces, the city's first big hotel, the Princess Louise, which stood out with its pink granite walls and red-tile roof, and the White Plaza on the bluff.
   The Robert Driscoll was built by Clara Driscoll who, it was said at the time, had a grudge against the White Plaza Hotel. It was built four stories higher, rumors had it, so Clara could spit down on the White Plaza. She had the 20th floor to herself. Many famous people stayed at the Driscoll, including Mary Pickford, John Wayne, and Tyrone Power kept a room there when he underwent flight training at the Naval Air Station in World War II.
   Most of these places are all gone now. Unless you lived here then, it's hard to visualize where these establishments once stood. The city streets are full of superseded places. The erasures on the urban landscape remind us that this city, any city, is always in a state of renewal and decay, and change is constant. Makes you wonder what will still be here 50 years from now.
  

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