Historical Timeline of CCPL

November 1905

Several young, single Corpus Christi women organize La Retama Study Club, named for the flowering tree. The Club’s objectives are study and social enjoyment.

1907

La Retama Club defines an urgent need for a public library and begins raising funds. The club's first project, a book shower held at the Ladies Pavilion, brought 200 books for the library.

1909

Library stocked with 500 books, opens in one room of the Hatch & Robertson Building in downtown Corpus Christi. Club members serve as volunteer librarians. Patrons pay $1.25 for library cards. Revenue goes towards the purchase of books. Fundraising efforts continue. At a peanut hunt, children pay 10 cents for a glass of lemonade and all the peanuts they can find. The event raises $20.

1914

Marie von Blucher is hired as the first librarian.

1916

Fire breaks out in the building that houses the library. Fearing books would feed the flames, firefighters throw volumes out the windows. La Retama Club members carry some books to safety, hang wet and smoke-damaged books on ropes to dry.

1919

Club members announce fundraising drive. Goal: $1,000. September hurricane destroys most of the library's collection. Books are soaked with saltwater, mud, and oil. Club members again dry and treat as many volumes as possible. Library closes.

September 1920

Library re-opens in the Timon home on Mesquite Street. Library moves again this year to rooms in the State Hotel.

1925

Library returns to building across the street from 505 Mesquite.

1926

Although the City of Corpus Christi had provided some funds to the library over the years, budget limitations had never allowed full funding. In 1926, La Retama Club members launch a campaign to turn the library over to the City. In June, City agrees to pay club $1 for the library and to take over operations.

1927

City takes over library operations, moves library to City Hall at 505 Mesquite.

1935

The City purchased the W.W. Jones home to house La Retama Library located at 511 South Upper Broadway from 1935-1955. This was done to have ample space for books and patrons.

1955

City Hall was remodeled and became La Retama Library and remained in that location until 1986.

1960's & 1970's

Library collection and services are expanded through these decades. Branches are added to serve growing areas of the city. Branches added: Parkdale (1962), Greenwood (1966), a small Flour Bluff branch (1978), and Northwest (1982).

1979

Third floor of La Retama Library closed due to structural problems. Serious efforts, to plan new central library begin.

1982

Corpus Christi voters authorize $5 million capital improvements city bond sale to build a new library to replace La Retama. The Library Board organizes fundraising campaign to a augment $5 million planned for construction. Ultimately $1.5 million is raised.

1984

New library construction begins at Comanche and Tancahua streets with a ground-breaking ceremony held on Sept. 18.

1985

Herb Canales appointed Library Director.

1986

New Central Library opens on June 10.

1987

Library automated system installed.

1991

Greenwood Branch Library expanded and remodeled.

1992

Parkdale Branch Library expanded and remodeled.

1997

LINCC (Library Information Network of Corpus Christi) implemented. First Lady of Texas, Laura Bush, dedicated computer system on February 14, 1997.

1998

Janet and Ed Harte donate $1.84 million to the City of Corpus Christi for a new branch library in Flour Bluff.

1999

Ground broken for new branch in Flour Bluff.

2000

New Janet F. Harte Public Library opens.

2007

Northwest Branch Library expanded and remodeled with the addition of the Clif Moss Nature Education Center. Ground broken for new branch on the south side.

2008

Parkdale Branch Library expanded and remodeled and renamed the Anita and W.T. Neyland Public Library. Central Library renamed La Retama Central Library.

2009

The Dr. Clotilde P. Garcia Library opens on the south side of Corpus Christi, next to the Kaffie Middle School. This sixth public library serves a large residential population in one of Corpus Christi's rapidly growing areas.