L.H. Gross collection regarding Corpus Christi History.

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: Coll-48

Staff Only

The L. H. Gross collection consists of stock certificates for Texas Land and Title Company and Guaranty Title Company, and a book containing list of stockholders, meeting minutes, and bylaws of the Texas Land and Title Company as well as postcards.

Some of the postcards show the damage done to Corpus Christi by a storm that came ashore on the Texas Gulf Coast in its vicinity on September 14, 1919. Mainly due to a devastating tidal surge, the storm caused significant loss of life and property throughout the area, especially in Corpus Christi. Many photographs were made of the storm’s aftermath. Included in these images were numerous picture postcards that visually chronicled the wreckage. The L.H. Gross collection in the Special Collections and Archives Department contains twenty-eight of these postcards, each of an interesting and informative view, as well as one of the city during the 1920's, when it had recovered.

These images poignantly record the damage that directly led to the creation by civic leaders of the protected deep water Port of Corpus Christi, the Corpus Christi Seawall, and other civic improvements that launched Corpus Christi’s growth as a major Texas urban center. They speak volumes about the traumatic event that many historians see as the central natural disaster in Corpus Christi history.

Dates

1919-1989

Creator

Gross, H. M. (Collector, Person)

Language of Materials

This materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

This material is made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to taking precautions against infringement of copyright and respecting the publication rights of reproduced materials. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards. Any materials used should be fully credited with their source according to the example given in the Preferred Citation note. Requests for assistance with citations and images of publication quality should be directed to specialcollections@tamucc.edu

Extent

4.5 Linear Feet

Biographical / Historical

Robert L. Gross graduated from University of Texas at Austin in 1962 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Fluid Mechanics and Machine Design. He was an active member of Beta Pi.

Gross began his career at Guaranty National Bank and Trust in Corpus Christi in 1966 as an Assistant Cashier. After a number of promotions, he was made an Executive Vice President in 1973.