Ward Island (Texas)
Encyclopedia
Ward Island is an island located in the city of Corpus Christi
, Texas
. The entire island is used for Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi
base.
Ward Island is situated in Oso Bay in the Coastal Bend of Texas. The elevation of Ward Island is approximately 15 feet (4.6 m) above sea level.
Originally called "Island A," the 258 acres (1 km²) peninsula was later named for land developer John C. Ward, who obtained the island in 1892. His plans were to develop the island into an exclusive resort community until his plans were crushed during a depression in 1893; however the island still became a popular fishing and hunting site. In 1909, W.E. James and Herman Anderson purchased the land and a tourist business remained until the 1940’s.
During World War II
, a base on the island was operated by various military units and the Royal Canadian Air Force
. It eventually closed as Naval Air Technical Training Center Ward Island
.
In October 1947, after the base closed, the island became the site of the University of Corpus Christi, which eventually developed into Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi is a coastal city in the South Texas region of the U.S. state of Texas. The county seat of Nueces County, it also extends into Aransas, Kleberg, and San Patricio counties. The MSA population in 2008 was 416,376. The population was 305,215 at the 2010 census making it the...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. The entire island is used for Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi
Naval Air Station Corpus Christi
Naval Air Station Corpus Christi , also known as Truax Field, is a naval base located six miles southeast of the central business district of Corpus Christi, in Nueces County, Texas, USA.-History:...
base.
Ward Island is situated in Oso Bay in the Coastal Bend of Texas. The elevation of Ward Island is approximately 15 feet (4.6 m) above sea level.
Originally called "Island A," the 258 acres (1 km²) peninsula was later named for land developer John C. Ward, who obtained the island in 1892. His plans were to develop the island into an exclusive resort community until his plans were crushed during a depression in 1893; however the island still became a popular fishing and hunting site. In 1909, W.E. James and Herman Anderson purchased the land and a tourist business remained until the 1940’s.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, a base on the island was operated by various military units and the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
. It eventually closed as Naval Air Technical Training Center Ward Island
Naval Air Technical Training Center Ward Island
Naval Air Technical Training Center Ward Island is a former United States Navy base located on Ward Island in Corpus Christi, Texas. Today the base location is used by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.-History:...
.
In October 1947, after the base closed, the island became the site of the University of Corpus Christi, which eventually developed into Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.