THROWBACK THURSDAY: Corpus Christi's McGee Beach in downtown dedicated in 1942

When people hear the word "beach" in Corpus Christi, they are most likely thinking of the gulf waters of Padre and Mustang islands, or maybe even the low-key appeal of North Beach. But McGee Beach on Corpus Christi's bayfront also belongs on your list of area lounging spots.

Originally South Beach

Only longtime locals and history enthusiasts will be aware of the area's original moniker: South Beach. The beach formed naturally when the seawall and bayfront improvement project were completed in the early 1940s. Corpus Christi's Street and Park Commissioner, Thomas R. McGee, advocated improving the area to create a second bathing beach as a counterpart to North Beach — hence the name South Beach. 

McGee told Caller-Times reporters before the beach's opening on the July Fourth weekend in 1942 that the area, while not as large as North Beach, was ideal for young children since the bay floor did not drop off steeply like at North Beach and had much smaller waves.

Popular spot

Mayor A.C. McCaughan set off the festivities with a bonfire at the official opening. The beach was a hit. Crowds grew so large over the ensuing weeks that the city began stationing a lifeguard at the beach a month after opening. 

In the Aug. 18, 1942 Caller, the Crow's Nest column — the front-page opinion column written by managing editor Bob McCracken — proposed giving the popular spot a new name. South Beach was totally lacking in imagination, he opined. Why not give credit where credit was due and name the beach after McGee?

It took a year (it is city government, after all) but on Aug. 10, 1943 a resolution passed dedicating the beach to the former commissioner as McGee Beach. The council agreed to place signs at the area steps.

Snag in McGee signage

Not to cast stones, but it only took 26 years and a week to get that sign up. On Aug. 19, 1969, Caller-Times reporter Lynn Pentony wrote about the new signs finally up at the park. McGee, who was also one of the seawall designers, had died in 1961. His widow and two sons often discussed why the signage with the beach's proper name wasn't installed.

The sons finally called the city and asked about it. The signs went up, with one small snag — the name was written as Mcgee Beach. New signs were made.

Park improvements

A number of improvements have been made over the years. The small jetty-like structures, called groins, were added in 1947. The concession stand and restrooms were built in 1975, and an elevated walkway added at the same time. Sand replenishment occurs every few years. There are still crowds every weekend, and true to McGee's intention, it appears to be popular for families with young kids.

And finally, don't confuse it with I.B. Magee Beach Park. That's in Port Aransas. I'm not sure if Port Aransas spelled those signs correctly the first time.

Allison Ehrlich is the archive coordinator for the Caller-Times. Contact her at allison.ehrlich@caller.com and follow her on Twitter @CallerArchives.

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