The Most Haunted Places in Corpus Christi

The beautiful community of Corpus Christi offers a unique combination of natural shores and landscapes within a modern urban atmosphere. The area is well-known for its beaches and shoreline activities, as well as its urban areas featuring iconic skyscrapers and other professional buildings. 

Yet hidden within this lively location, the town of Corpus Christi is riddled with secrets and legends about hauntings at the city’s most historic places. There have been multiple accounts of ghostly encounters at several key locations throughout the community, from a ghostly battleship and popular restaurant to a haunted historic theatre.

If you love learning about the haunted history of popular U.S. cities like Corpus Christi, you should schedule a ghost tour with us here at Corpus Christi Ghosts. Our tour guides have extensive knowledge of the creepiest places in this urban beach community and will share stories of popular legends throughout the tour. Plan your trip with us by booking your tour today!

What is the Most Haunted Place in Corpus Christi?

Corpus Christi is home to beautiful shorelines, a bustling urban professional area, and several ghosts and spirits of the dead who seem to love the popular community just as much as residents and tourists.

Here is just a sample of some of the most haunted places to check out while staying in Corpus Christi.

USS Lexington

The USS Lexington is an Essex aircraft carrier that was commissioned in 1943. It served around 21 months during WWII and earned numerous combat records. After being decommissioned in 1947, the aircraft was reactivated for use in Navy training in 1955.

After many years of use in training, the USS Lexington was secured in Corpus Christi. It is now a museum supported by the community that has been open to the public since 1992. The museum offers a variety of fun and insightful activities, including escape rooms, a flight simulator, and a 3D Mega theater that allows visitors to experience what it was like to take a flight in this historic aircraft.

The USS Lexington earned its nickname “Blue Ghost” from Japanese folklore because of its history and involvement in WWII, where the ship survived several attacks in combat. But there is also a haunting spirit on board who goes by the same name.

The Blue Ghost of the USS Lexington 

The ghost of the USS Lexington is a kind and respectful sailor named Charlie, who is also known by locals and museum staff as The Blue Ghost. It’s been said that Charlie has piercing blue eyes and can be recognized by the vintage white Navy uniform he’s wearing. 

Some say he was killed during the Japanese Kamikaze attack that occurred in 1944. He’s been known to impress visitors to the museum with his extensive knowledge of the ship.

Visitors and staff have reported hearing strange noises, such as chains dragging across the floor or the sound of the elevator moving when no one is on board. They also mentioned encounters with additional spirits, who may have been other members of the U.S. Navy.

Old Bayview Cemetery

The Old Bayview Cemetery is the oldest federal military cemetery in the state of Texas. Its date of origin goes back to the days of the U.S.-Mexican War. 

During that time, General Zachary Taylor’s Army of Occupation established its base camp in Corpus Christi. They soon realized, not long afterward, that they’d need a formal burial ground for those they lost in battle. Therefore, the site located at 805 Comanche, Corpus Christi, became the Old Bayview Cemetery.

The Ghostly Women of the Bayview Cemetery

This renowned and respected cemetery is also one of the most haunted graveyards in the state. Over the years, locals have reported having ghostly encounters, spirits, and hearing unexplained noises while standing inside.

There are two famous spirits connected to this location, one is of the White Lady, a young woman wearing a white gown who roams the graveyard searching for her lost love. Another is the Fainting Woman, who many say was buried alive in the cemetery and now haunts the grounds, seeking her vengeance. While some are skeptical about these haunted claims, the legendary stories have drawn many curious thrill seekers to visit the old military graveyard.

House of Rock

In the downtown Corpus Christi area, there is a popular venue that hosts live music as well as private events, including fundraisers and weddings, known as The House of Rock. This venue, established in July of 2005, also has a main bar that is open to the public seven days a week. Visitors enjoy live music performances and participate in weekly events such as Open Mic Night, stand-up comedy, and poetry readings.

Sinister Ghosts inside the House of Rock

While it is a lively establishment, the House of Rock is also home to several dark entities. Guests and staff members alike have reported hearing unexplained sounds late at night. 

They have even witnessed objects floating around or moving on their own across the bar with no logical explanation for the phenomenon. Some say these ghostly encounters are due to the restaurant once being the Maxwell P. Dunne Funeral Home in the early 1900s. The basement of the venue was also used as the funeral home’s morgue.

Nueces County Courthouse

In 1853, Nueces County, Texas, was a lawless community that covered the majority of the area from Corpus Christi to the Mexican border. After concerns rose from the residents, the construction of the first county courthouse in the area began.

The structure was completed in 1914 at a cost of $250,000. Additions have been made to the building since that time in the 1930s, as well as later in the 1960s. Courtrooms and offices were added to the first floor, while the top two floors served as the jail space.

Within the walls of the historic courthouse lie mystery, intrigue, and a host of ghostly legends. Although it was abandoned in 1977, the Nueces County Courthouse is still a symbol of the city’s history and a focal point for anyone curious about haunted locations.

The Ghosts of Former Courthouse Prisoners

The courthouse was home to many trials, incarcerations, and executions while it was in operation. Its dark past has created many urban legends about the spirits of those who faced death row and never left the walls of the jail.

Among the many haunting tales is one that is connected to the 1919 hurricane. The courthouse became a safe refuge for residents during the tragic storm that devastated all of Corpus Christi. Unfortunately, the courthouse also served as a makeshift morgue as the town took steps to recover days after the storm passed.

There are tales of a Woman in White who has been seen wandering the remnants of the hallways, wearing a long flowing white dress. People describe feeling a sense of unease, such as being followed by echoing footsteps. Some have claimed to feel an unexplainable chill in her presence.

Another ghost seen inside the courthouse is that of the dreaded judge who was very strict and unforgiving. Legend has it that the judge gave out so many harsh sentences that he is still practicing his judicial and judgmental duties from beyond the grave. According to the story, he will judge any living soul he comes in contact with, so if you plan to visit the old courthouse, make sure your conscience is clear before arriving.

Blackbeard’s On The Beach

Blackbeard’s on the Beach is a popular surf and turf restaurant in Corpus Christi, serving up great food to residents and visitors of the North Beach area. The restaurant opened its doors in 1991 and is well-known for having a lively atmosphere and excellent cuisine. 

However, that’s not all this establishment is known for. There are also rumors of several ghosts who frequently haunt this popular eatery.

Inside the bright purple building, there is a haunting presence that is hard to ignore. It’s been said that ghosts will open and close doors, move the saltshakers around, and shift the chairs, although it appears that no one is there. These happenings occur often and have been known to leave customers with a sense of unease.

A Stowaway Ghost

The spirits at Blackbeard’s on the Beach have even been known to sometimes follow customers home. Those who have recently dined at the restaurant will return home and soon discover their thermostat has been changed or their items have gone missing, only to turn up somewhere else. The ghosts don’t hang around long and will eventually return to their home at North Beach.

Wilson Plaza

Wilson Plaza was once home to the very first skyscraper in Corpus Christi. The uptown business district officially opened on March 27th, 1927, and became the place for business professionals to find successful careers for decades until it shut down on October 25th, 2024.

The Wilson Building was home to various businesses and organizations, from oil companies to the IRS and Southwestern Bell Telephone company. There were also several restaurants on site, including small cafés and sandwich shops.

J. Maston Nixon is credited with transforming this section of Corpus Christi from a residential to commercial area. The Wilson Building was originally named after him until the property was purchased in 1947 by oil producer Sam E. Wilson, who renamed it and added the Wilson Tower.

Hauntings Within the Historic Skyscraper

The Wilson Plaza may have been a busy place where business deals were made every day, but now there are some shady deals happening at this currently vacant location. Visitors to the location have reported catching glimpses of shadowy figures and noises that cannot be explained. 

Some have said it felt as if they were being watched when they were in the building alone. In additional to all of that, the elevators have been known to stop randomly on floors. Doors and doorknobs have also been said to move all on their own.

Ritz Theatre

The historic Ritz Theatre is one of the last buildings from the early 1900s that remains in Corpus Christi. The theater was built in 1929 and spent several decades being the hotspot in town for all types of entertainment. Musicians such as Bob Dylan, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Willie Nelson have played there as well as rock bands like Def Leppard and Metallica. The Ritz Theatre is still open today, hosting shows on the first Friday of every month during the Corpus Christi Downtown Artwalk.

The Spirit of a Young Performer

But there’s more to this performing arts venue than live music and entertaining events. There are also stories about multiple spirits on site that wander around hoping to frighten performers and audience members. 

It’s been said that the ghost of a young girl dressed in costume and playing on stage can be seen there often. Other reports include hearing strange noises, random cold spots throughout the venue and disturbances with the electrical equipment.

The Haunted Homes of Heritage Park

The last three haunted locations in Corpus Christi on our list can all be found at Heritage Park.

Heritage Park is the site of twelve of Corpus Christi’s oldest and most historic homes. The oldest of the twelve dates back to 1851. Many of the homes are registered as Texas Historical Landmarks and have been restored to recreate their beautiful design just as they were many years ago.

Sidbury House

The historic Sidbury House is named after the former owners, Edward D. Sidbury and his wife, Miss Charlotte King Cook.

Charlotte was one of the most influential civic leaders of her time. She worked as a rancher during the late 1800s and also held a job as a bank director and lumber manager.  

Years prior to living at the Sidbury house, Charlotte married a man named John Wesley Scott in 1848, and they lived at his ranch in Beeville, TX. Scott died in 1875, however Charlotte continued to run the ranch until she met her second husband, Edward D. Sidbury, who was a wealthy lumber dealer and the owner of several properties throughout southern Texas. 

He passed away in 1881, leaving his fortune as well as his lumber business to Charlotte. She continued to oversee operations at the business, and the company amassed a worth of more than $200,000 by 1891. Her wealth provided her with prominence in the Corpus Christi community, and she later took on the position of director and shareholder of the Corpus Christi National Bank.

The Sidbury house is believed to be one of the most haunted houses in the country, thanks to its resident child-like ghost, who can be found roaming through the rooms on the second floor. The ghost has been known to knock on doors and push random objects off tables and shelves. They will move dolls that are on display into different locations as well.

Galvan House

The Galvan House, also known as the French-Galvan House, in Corpus Christi was built between 1907 and 1908 by Asa Milton and Frances Garrett French. The home is a two-story structure that features a wrap-around gallery on every floor. Anyone who has a great appreciation for historical architecture will tell you to visit this property and get a closer look at this historic home that pays tribute to ethnic diversity and the unique culture of the community.

It’s been said that visitors have reported seeing a ghost roam around the second floor of the Galvan House. People have felt someone tap them on the shoulder, only to turn and see there is no one around. Phantom footsteps can also be heard going up and down the stairs in the attic.

Ward-McCampbell House

Another historic home found in Heritage Park at Corpus Christi is the Ward-McCampbell House. This Victorian-age Greek revival home is believed to have been built between 1908 and 1910. The porch space features Greek revival pillars that run all the way around to the south side of the home, which would have originally given the owners a breathtaking view of the beach.

Like several other homes that are a part of Heritage Park, the Ward-McCampbell House is believed to be haunted by several spirits. One of the former residents, Alice Ward, has often been seen roaming the hallways and rooms. She will make noises when visitors try to enter the patio and will also lock the door on unsuspecting tour guides. A few lucky ghost enthusiasts have caught a glimpse of her spirit lingering on the balcony of the home.

Haunted Corpus Christi

Underneath all the coastal beauty of the Corpus Christi shoreline is a much darker and mysterious side to the area that few people dare to approach. If you are brave enough to explore these and other spooky locations in this Texas beach town, you should schedule a ghost tour with us here at Corpus Christi Ghosts for a frightening good time.

Be sure to check out our blog for regular updates on the most haunted places in the Corpus Christi area. And you can follow us on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram

for tales and info on the scariest locations throughout the country.

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• https://www.visitcorpuschristi.com/things-to-do/

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• https://texashouseofrock.com/about/

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