A&M-Corpus Christi Strengthens Local History Archives with Chapman Ranch Records Acquisition
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A century of South Texas agricultural, economic, and community history is being preserved thanks to a landmark acquisition by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Special Collections and Archives at the Mary and Jeff Bell Library. The university has obtained the operational records of the historic Chapman Ranch, a vital piece of the region’s heritage that has remained largely unseen by the public — until now.
Chapman Ranch is an unincorporated community located in south Nueces County, about 7 miles south of Corpus Christi. It was established in 1925 on land originally part of the King Ranch and named after the Chapman family, who purchased the land in 1919. The ranch has a rich history as a mechanized farm and a center for crop experimentation, particularly with cotton. Today, it features a blend of agricultural operations, including cotton farming, alongside residential areas and recreational opportunities.
The Chapman Ranch records, totaling over 160 boxes, contain administrative, financial, and agricultural documents dating back to the 1920s. While these materials represent only a portion of the ranch’s history — specifically, the records of one of the descendants of the Chapman family — they offer invaluable insight into the operation and legacy of this historic property. At risk of being lost or discarded, the documents were relocated from the original Chapman Ranch buildings to the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History. This move was made possible thanks to a partnership between the university and the museum, and the university is hopeful to one day serve as the conservator for the complete Chapman Ranch collection.
“Our goal was to save these documents before environmental damage took a permanent toll,” said Lori Podolsky, Director of Special Collections and Archives at TAMU-CC. “They’re not just pieces of paper; we’re uncovering the textures and artifacts of history.”
Beyond operational details, the collection yields discoveries about the Chapman family’s contributions to Texas and national history. Chapman Ranch operated as a self-contained community, featuring its own schools, shops, and even a medical office — offering a window into rural life in the 20th century.
“There are also unexpected details in the documents,” Podolsky said. “These insights show how the ranch’s influence extended far beyond South Texas.”
As historians begin to explore the collection, its intrinsic value only grows. Records suggest the Chapman family had a considerable impact on the development of the Port of Corpus Christi and the surrounding economy.
“This collection fills major gaps in the agricultural and cultural history of the Coastal Bend,” Podolsky added. “It documents everything from lease agreements and land surveys to social and community life.”
Currently, the documents remain stored at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History, where processing by the university and museum teams continues on a weekly basis. Archivists estimate that about 10-15% of the collection has been stabilized and catalogued.
“The museum is grateful that the donating family recognized the value of these records and gave us the opportunity to help preserve them. Partnering with the Special Collections and Archives team at TAMU-CC has been invaluable,” said Dillon Beal, Director of Collections and Exhibits at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History. “We are thankful and confident in their expertise to process, care for the collection, and for them providing the collection with a permanent home. Collaborations like this are crucial for preserving Coastal Bend history, and we are more excited than anyone to see what Lori and her team uncover.”
While public access will be limited during the processing stage, the materials will be made available once Special Collections and Archives relocates from Bell Library to the university’s new Downtown Building at 233 N. Chaparral St. Built in 1947 from poured concrete, the building offers expanded storage and superior protection from severe weather. It has withstood numerous hurricanes and benefits from additional storm surge protection provided by a nearby seawall.
“We’re working to have the collection fully discoverable online by spring 2026,” Podolsky said. “And if someone is interested before then, we’re happy to bring materials to the library for review once they’re stabilized.”
The Chapman Ranch collection joins other high-profile holdings at the Mary and Jeff Bell Library, including the personal papers of civil rights leader Dr. Hector P. Garcia, the records of the American GI Forum, and historical land surveys from Charles von Blucher. These collections have drawn researchers from around the world and are used for everything from academic research to documentary film development.
“The impact of these archives reaches far beyond history departments,” Podolsky said. “They inform climate research through weather logs, shape art and storytelling, and help communities understand their cultural roots.”
