Flour Bluff

Flour Bluff is a specified area of the city of Corpus Christi, Texas. It is located on the similarly named peninsula bordered by Corpus Christi Bay on the north, Oso Bay on the west, and the Laguna Madre on the east. South Padre Island Drive crosses Flour Bluff, dividing it into the lower part (mostly occupied by Corpus Christi Naval Air Station), and the upper part, with the business area and the schools that flank Waldron Road.

Overview

What now is Flour Bluff Drive once was a railroad branch going off Texas Mexican Railway to the Naval Air Station. Waldron Field, on the south side of Flour Bluff, was built during World War II and since then has been used as a Navy landing airfield. One can commonly see the orange and white training planes flying around the area.

According to the Historical Marker located on SH 358 eastbound, near Laguna Shores Road, just west of the JFK Memorial causeway.In the spring of 1838 France blockaded the coast of Mexico during the Pastry War, so-called because of the mistreatment of French citizens, including pastry chefs, living in Mexico. The strategic location of Corpus Christi Bay led to the revival of smuggling in this area. Supplies were carried overland across the Rio Grande, and the illicit trade flourished as Mexico bought sorely needed goods in Texas. Although president Sam Houston did not wish to antagonize Mexico, Mexican patrols at Corpus Christi offended many Texans. In July, 1838, authorities at Texana heard reports of Mexican activity near the bay. A captured Mexican sea captain said that his government had declared Corpus Christi a port of entry and had dispatched about 400 men to protect it. A summons was issued, calling Texans to rally at Texana, August 7, to drive the invaders from the republic's boundaries. By the time the volunteers reached the area, some of the Mexicans had landed their supplies near the tip of Corpus Christi Bay and returned to Matamoros. The rest scattered, leaving about 100 barrels of flour and parts of a steam engine. The Texans confiscated the usable flour, and other contraband, and the site became known as Flour Bluff.

Education

Flour Bluff is home to the Flour Bluff Independent School District which is commonly known for its incredible athletics and academics. The school district enjoys the support of the Naval Air Station and Corpus Christi Army Depot at the Northeast end of "The Bluff". The student body is heavily populated by military member's children as well as their civilian counterparts on base. The federal monies received as well as the highly talented teaching faculty create a very success oriented student body. Flour Bluff routinely ranks amongst the best schools in Texas and the nation for academics. The military presence is also responsible for the best National Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps in the nation, 12 years running. Starting in 1995-96 through the year 2007-2008, Flour Bluff has won the NJROTC National Championship and has graduated a number of students who have attended the national military academies. The latest being Greg Veteto, punter for the Navy team and member of the Naval Academy's graduating class of 2008, in Annapolis, Maryland. The Flour Bluff baseball program has improved greatly in recent years as it has obtained a record of 47-2 in the last 4 years of regular season play. The football program has also recently improved and has made it several rounds into the playoffs 3 years in a row. The playoff success over the last decade was sparked by the class of 2001. Prior to the 2000 playoffs the Hornets had not made a post season appearance in 18 years. The 2000 Area Championship was the first playoff win in school history.

Recreation

Flour Bluff is bordered on the East by the Laguna Madre. This area is considered some of the finest Red Drum, or Redfish and Trout fishing in the world. Anglers from as far away as Germany and Russia descend on the area every year to catch "Reds". Guiding has become big business as some of the best fishing requires special boats that can handle "skinny water". These boats are shallower than a typical "flats boats" and can run in as little as 6" of water. These boats are very expensive and are required only for this type of fishing. Guides, armed with the best equipment money can buy, use these boats to put anglers on the big Reds, Trout and even Flounder for an unforgettable fishing experience. Birding has also become a huge phenomenon. While it is the City of Corpus Christi that received the title, Birdiest City, It is the Flour Bluff and North Padre Island area that get all of the birdwatchers with their identification books and high optics cameras for the purpose of photgraphing the widest selection of birds in the world.

See also

* Corpus Christi, Texas
* Flour Bluff Independent School District
* Corpus Christi Naval Air Station