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“Oh, and that boarded-up building, that’s haunted too,” exclaimed my tour guide upon my first visit to Corpus Christi, Texas. Rewind just a few hours earlier, I had just arrived at this coastal city along the Gulf of Mexico, anticipating the next few days to be filled with cultural activities and culinary adventures.
While there was plenty of that, I picked up a few lesser-known paranormal tidbits about this historic town, cemented in both fact and legend. Below are just a few of what Corpus Christi residents claim are some of the hottest spots for paranormal encounters.
The USS Lexington
Docked along the bay overseeing the town, the USS Lexington served as an aircraft carrier during World War II. During her life in use, she was repurposed to carry out numerous other acts of service, spanning decades of use for the US Navy.
Decommissioned in 1991, the USS Lexington is now a popular museum and tourist attraction. As you climb aboard, you may begin to wonder if there are any other occupants who never quite left…
Tourists and residents alike often report unusual activity here. Some have claimed to see apparitions of figures in military uniform; others walk away with recounts of hearing eerie and unexplainable sounds. Among the more popular encounters is an apparition of a sailor named Charlie, who, according to history, died in the boiler room of the ship in 1944.
The 1914 Nueces County Courthouse
“Take a moment to envision this lawn covered in debris and mangled, stiff bodies – this is the sight you would’ve seen in the aftermath of the 1919 hurricane,” our tour guide Susan explained as we took a gander at the lawn of the historic, boarded-up building that once symbolized justice and law.
Serving as a place of refuge in the aftermath of Corpus Christi’s deadliest hurricane, the old courthouse stood resilient for decades to come, continuing to hold justice within its walls – along with prisoners and executions.
While the building has been vacant since 1977, it’s widely believed that unrested souls remain among the tattered walls of the failing structure, unable to find peace with the violent or unjust ends of their past lives. Paranormal enthusiasts often capture heavy activity here –reports of orbs, eerie apparitions, and unexplainable sounds are just a few of many unsettled encounters here.
Read More: Visit the Haunted Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Sidbury House in Heritage Park
In a concentrated location of several historic homes, the Sidbury house is one of many locations in Heritage Park that are reported to be haunted. This Victorian-era structure sits in the shade of massive trees guarding the elegant wrapround porch – a sight to “die” for.
The house was built in the late1800s and became home to local prominent figure Charlotte Sidbury. She dedicated her life to philanthropy and business for the greater good, cementing her legacy in Corpus Christi.
While the home is well-protected and preserved, it’s still in use – most recently as the offices of the Corpus Christi Parks and Rec division. Many claim that office workers aren’t the only ones utilizing the famed structure – reports of strange activity, cold spots, and even apparitions have been known to occur here. While individual accounts may vary, it’s unanimously agreed that all activity in this house–human or otherwise comes in peace.
The Ritz Theater
The Ritz opened its doors to Corpus Christi residents in 1929, promising exhilarating evenings filled with films, entertainment, and lively performances. It fulfilled its duties for years to come, however as the turn of the century loomed overhead, the patrons of the Ritz began to wane. The Ritz shut its doors in 1989 and has since then remained largely inactive – at least in the realm of the living.
With a performing arts venue comes passionate artists, singers, dancers – and some of these spirits have chosen to stay on stage, forever wandering about in their vaudeville-like costumes. Largely reported activities include apparitions of a young girl, dressed in costume and playing on stage. Other reports include unexplainable sounds, cold spots, and electrical disturbances.
As they say in theater – the show must go on! Even with paranormal activity, plans to revive and re-open the theater is currently underway. Whether the spiritual residents will vacate the premises in time for opening night remains to be seen.
Read More: Exploring Edinburgh’s Haunted Sites: Not Just for Halloween
House of Rock
Care for a side of spirits with your choice of spirit? This lively music venue located in downtown Corpus Christi offers more than just performances by your favorite local bands. While the venue opened in 2005, the building itself offers a long-standing history, repurposed a few times over the last few decades.
According to local history, the building once served as a local funeral home at the turn of the 20th century. It is rumored that the basement of the building was once used as a morgue to store bodies in preparation for memorial services.
While it’s proven to be difficult to track down records to confirm the historical accuracy, it’s without a doubt certain that whatever past the building has, you can feel it when you walk in.
Ghost hunters and locals alike report similar encounters of strange noises, cold spots, and a feeling of being watched, while those who work in the building have also reported similar experiences, along with sounds of footsteps when the building is otherwise vacant.
Ghost Tours
If you haven’t been scared off by now, it’s time to leave the rest to the professionals – Rene and Susan at Corpus Christi Tours, LLC offers plenty of guided tours around the city. Their popular ghost tour will take you to the sights mentioned above and then some.
Friendly and knowledgeable, this family-operated business will invite you and your group into their comfortable van for an evening of spooks sprinkled with some local history.
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Author Bio: At the age of 16, Lauren’s wanderlust was ignited as she embarked on a trip to her father’s homeland of Jordan, earning her first passport stamp. The sound of the iconic Boeing 747 engine left a lasting impression on her. She swiftly realized that life was not meant to be grounded but rather lived in constant pursuit of awe-inspiring beauty that renders one silent. Since then, Lauren has made it her mission to explore as much of the world as possible.
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