George Gongora/Caller-Times file DEEP SEA DIVING: Children examine the deepwater research mini sub, Newtsub DeepWorker 2000, at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History, located at 1900 N. Chaparral St.

Explore history of Asia, ranching
Area museums feature fighter jets, Texas Rangers memorabilia

By Venessa Santos-Garza, Caller-Times

   South Texas is rich with history and even richer with people willing to share it. From the dusty cattle country overflowing with old cowboy stories at the King Ranch

Museum to the Pat McGee Surf Museum where visitors can ride the wave of surfing history and lore, there is plenty to see and much more to learn.
   Below is a list of some of the places along the main road and off the beaten path that may be of interest.
   ALICE
   The South Texas Museum
   The museum is built into an old cattle empire office and is home to

Area Museums Selena sites Fans from across the globe flock to Corpus Christi to get a glimpse of the hometown of the late Tejano star Selena Quintanilla-Perez, who won a Grammy in 1994 for best Mexican American performance for ‘Selena Live.’ While in town, check out the following "Selena sites": The Mirador del Flor along the seawall at the Peoples Street T-head includes a statue of the singer. Local philanthropist Dusty Durrill began planning the memorial shortly after Selena was gunned down by her fan club president Yolanda Saldivar on March 31, 1995. Selena Etc. Boutique and Salon, 4926 Everhart Road, features a variety of Selena memorabilia and fashions. Q Productions Inc. Recording Studio and Selena Museum, 5410 Leopard St., is Selena’s father’s studio where her songs were produced. The museum is open for tours Monday through Friday from 9 to 11:45 a.m. and 1 to 6 p.m. Admission is a $1 donation for adults and 50 cents for children. All proceeds go to the Selena Foundation. The Days Inn, 901 Navigation Blvd., is where Selena was killed in 1995. Selena’s gravesite is located near the main entrance at Seaside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 4357 Ocean Drive. Visitors are asked to leave the cemetery before dark.

Hispanic and general Texas history collections. The museum also boasts a collection of photographs of important figures in Alice history.
   66 S. Wright, Alice
   Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
   Admission: Donations accepted
   For information: (361) 668-8891
  
   CORPUS CHRISTI
   Art Museum of South Texas
   Hosts a variety of speakers and traveling exhibits from around the world. Monthly events include family fun days and lectures by guest artists.
   1902 N. Shoreline Blvd.
   Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m.; first Thursday of the month, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
   Admission: $3 adults; $2 for senior citizens, active military and students; 12 and under free
   For information: 825-3500
   Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures
   Includes exhibits from most all the Asian cultures. From the Bronze replica of the famous Japanese Buddha to the clothing from China, India and beyond, visitors get a close-up view of the other end of the globe.
   1809 N. Chaparral St.
   Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
   Admission: $3 adults, $2 students, $1 children under 12
   For information: 882-2641
  
   Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History
   Gives visitors a view of everything from early pioneer living to creepy, crawly bugs. Weekends sometimes include workshops for families on subjects like how to build a butterfly garden.
   1900 N. Chaparral St.
   Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
   Admission: $9 adults, $7 seniors, $6 military, $5 children 5-12
   For information: 884-7391
  
   H. R. Brunner Telephone Pioneer Museum

  Answers all the questions a visitor could ever possibly have about the workings of the telephone.
   406 N. Carancahua
   Hours: Thursdays, 10 a.m.-noon, special tours can be arranged
   Admission: Free
   For information: 884-1067
   International Kite Museum
   Guides can tell you the history of kites and how they play into lives of children around the world. Along the way, visitors can see a showcase of kites of all shapes and sizes from all parts of the globe.
   Best Western Sandy Shores, 3200 Surfside Blvd.
   Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
   Admission: Free
   For information: (361) 883-7456
   Lexington Museum on the Bay
   A museum on naval history built on the decks of an old seafaring vessel. Take a tour of fighter planes, sit in for a show at the Joe Jessel Mega Theater on board, or just wander the decks. The Lexington sailed for 49 years, making it the longest-serving aircraft carrier in U.S. Navy history. It received 11 battle stars in World War II for specific combat actions.
   2914 N.Shoreline Blvd.
   Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. weekly
   Admission: $10 adults, $8 senior citizens and active military, $5 children 4-12
   For information: 888-4873
  
   FALFURRIAS
   Heritage Museum
   The ultimate place for the Old West fan, with collections of Texas Ranger memorabilia, including the badge that stopped criminals in their tracks or the shotgun used to enforce the law.
   400 N. Saint Mary's St., Falfurrias
   Hours: Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Saturdays, noon-1 p.m.
   Admission: Donations accepted
   For information: (361) 325-2907
  
   KINGSVILLE
   King Ranch Museum
   Has a variety of ranching heritages on display, including photographs of famed Life Magazine photographer Toni Frissell taken in the 1940s.
   405 N. Sixth St., Kingsville
   Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m.
   Admission: $4 adults, $2.50 children
   For information: (361) 595-1881
  
   ROCKPORT
   Texas Maritime Museum
   Museum officials can tell you just about anything you would like to know about boats, sailors and water. The center includes an extensive library containing books about all things nautical.
   1202 Navigation Circle, Rockport
   Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.
   Admission: $4 adults, $2 children 4-12
   For information: (361) 729-1271
  
   SAN DIEGO
   Duval County Museum
   Run by locals who know local history better than anyone. The museum is rich with local lore and family history - a perfect place for people trying to find their roots.
   208 E. Saint Josephine, San Diego
   Hours: Monday-Friday, 1-5 p.m.
   Admission: Free
   For information: (361) 279-2597