Historical Cultural Landmarks

WARD-MCCAMPBELL HOUSE
1501 NORTH CHAPARRAL STREET

Mary Alice Ward McCampbell, widow of Nueces County Attorney William Berry McCampbell, built this house around 1908 on Water Street, a few feet from Corpus Christi Bay. The seawall, which now protects downtown Corpus Christi from flood tides, was not completed until 1941. In 1919, a hurricane came in suddenly and the storm tides isolated residents of Old Irishtown from the Bluff’s high ground. Mary Ward McCampbell and her three sons watched the storm from this house. As the tides rose, they fled to the second floor and watched the flood waters rise over 20 feet to the second story porch. They later recalled seeing entire houses, dead animals, and debris flow past the porch. Early in 1920, Mary McCampbell died of pneumonia; her family said she contracted while standing watch on the porch during the storm. Her eldest son, William Ward, sold the house to his cousin in 1921. The Ionic capital, lattice enclosures and wraparound porches are typical of the Classic Revival architecture. The house was donated to the City in 1983 and moved from its original site one block away. It has been restored by the Irish Cultural House, Inc. for offices and meeting rooms. Irish Cultural House, Inc., a non-profit organization, provides information and educational programs on the influence of the Irish culture and language in the Corpus Christi area.

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