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JANUARY 2021
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Kingsville
Located deep in the
WELCOME
heart of South Texas
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ome to the World-Famous King Ranch, home to Texas A&M University-Kingsville and it’s 8,000 students, home to Naval Air StationKingsville (one of only two bases in the United States that trains Navy and Marine fighter pilots), home to World Class fishing and Baffin Bay, and home to good ol’ fashion Texas hospitality and food, you’ll find it right here in Kingsville. Located just minutes from Baffin Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Kingsville is the undiscovered gem of the Coastal Bend. We have a rich blend of Hispanic, Western and Texas culture that makes our city one of the finest in the state of Texas. We are proud of our history, and we are proud of what we can offer you. You’ll want to come and visit and see the culture of the King Ranch and Texas A&M University (formerly Texas A&I), but you also have to come and taste our food. Kingsville is home to some of the finest Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants located along the Coastal Bend. We are also home to some of the best hamburger joints in all of south Texas. You will not leave Kingsville hungry-we promise you that. Visit all of our historic museums, bask in academia or enjoy our livestock and rodeo shows. If it’s fishing you’re after, take a short drive to Baffin Bay for the best Red, Drum and Ocean Trout on the entire Gulf of Mexico waters. We are located 45 minutes south of Corpus Christi, an hour south of Port Aransas and its world-class beach, and 90 minutes north of South Padre Island and Brownsville. So what are you waiting for? Visit our historic community and have a great visit. Or better yet, come and plant roots in our growing community filled with rich history, academia, Americana and great ethnic food. We’re Kingsville, Texas. We can’t wait to meet you.
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“Kingsville’s charm goes far beyond its history, though if you are a history buff you will enjoy one of many museums located in the community. You can also tour the historic King Ranch to learn more about the legacy of Captain King, advancements in agriculture and ranching, learn about the only Triple Crown Winner from Texas or enjoy the incredible wildlife that call South Texas home”. The history of Texas is filled with larger than life figures, taming the wild frontier of our great state. Captain Richard King, the namesake of the town and a pioneer of the Wild Horse Desert has certainly earned his place among the giants of Texas’ rich history. The history of the King Ranch and Kingsville are intertwined and are integral parts of creating the South Texas that we know today. Kingsville hosts a number of family friendly events throughout the year. If
you are a sports fan, you can enjoy a game in one of the 13 division II sports on the campus of Texas A&M University Kingsville. In the fall, be sure to make a trip to Javelina Stadium to watch the 7-time National Champion Fighting Javelinas take the field. The University is also home to the John Conner Museum, South Texas Archives and the Kingsville Symphony Orchestra. You can catch a performance by the Kingsville Symphony
Orchestra in the beautiful new music hall on campus. The community hosts multiple events throughout the year including: Festival de la Loteria, Festival de Paloma, La Posada de Kingsville Parade of Lights and many more. These events are held in historic downtown Kingsville. While you are downtown be sure to visit the incredible shops and restaurants that are just a few steps away. In even number years, you can join us on Naval
Manny Salazar CEO of Chamber of Commerce
Air Station Kingsville for the Wings over South Texas Air Show featuring the Blue Angels. If you enjoy the outdoors, Kingsville is the right place for you. Kingsville is home to world class fishing on Baffin Bay, hunting and birding. Kingsville truly is a gem in South Texas. We are excited to welcome you to our community, treat you with legendary Texas hospitality and show you what makes Kingsville such a special place.
Music Hall at Texas A&M University-Kingsville 4 KLEBERG COUNTY
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For nearly 100 years, Texas A&M University-Kingsville has provided educational access and opportunity to generations of students. Since 1925, the University has awarded more than 80,000 degrees, changing the lives of students and their families. With a steadfast focus on excellence, our reputation as a top-tier institution of higher learning goes beyond South Texas. Texas A&M-Kingsville is ranked among the nation’s top institutions for awarding engineering, agriculture, and communication sciences and disorders degrees to Hispanics, according to Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. Students can pursue a degree from one of the Univer-
sity’s five colleges with over 100 undergraduate programs, 50 graduate programs, and 8 doctoral programs to choose from, and a team of advisors will help guide you from the enrollment process through to the moment you cross the stage and earn your degree. Your university experience will feature small class sizes, award-winning faculty who care about your success, and outstanding student support services. The University is classified as Carnegie Classified Doctoral University with High Research Activity for provid-
ing students with opportunities to conduct research and work alongside faculty who are leaders in their fields. Continuing our legacy of helping eliminate financial barriers to achievement, new freshman and transfer students can qualify for the Javelina Opportunity Award. Eligible students* may have their tuition and fees covered for their first two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring or Spring/Fall). Forbes Media lists Texas A&M-Kingsville as one of the Top 25 best colleges in the country based on alumni rankings. Starting
salaries for our graduates are among the highest regionally and statewide, according to the national college salary report released annually by PayScale, Inc. We offer students a comprehensive university experience with housing choices, including modern suite-style living, traditional residence halls, and living-learning communities. With a community that feels like family and a campus that becomes your home away from home, Texas A&M University-Kingsville is where you belong.
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• The Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture and Natural Resources houses three institutes that are among the best in the world: The Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute is home to topnotch researchers who lead their field working with wild cats, white-tailed deer, quail, and even the Texas horned lizard. The King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management offers the only master’s degree in ranch management in the world and has graduates working at some of the most prestigious ranches in the country. The Citrus Center, located in the Rio Grande Valley, developed the Rio Red variety of grapefruit and works to provide citrus growers with virus-free budwood. • The Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering offers the first natural gas engineering degree in the world in addition to accredited bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in architectural, chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, industrial, mechanical engineering, and computer science. • The College of Education is home to the first doctoral degree in bilingual education. • The online Master’s in Business degree in the College of Business Administration is nationally recognized as one of the top, most affordable online MBA programs in the country. • The National Natural Toxins Research Center is the only federally-funded viper research center in the U.S.. It is one of the leading research centers in the world for discovering toxins for use in biomedical research.
*Eligible students must have a valid FAFSA/TASFA on file, have a household income of $65,000 or less, be a Texas resident, maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements, and register for at least 15 semester credit hours during the spring and fall semesters at Texas A&M-Kingsville. Summer and intercessions terms are not eligible. Offer may include grants and scholarships, any remaining tuition and mandatory fees not covered by these programs will be covered by the institution. All admitted students are considered for eligibility. No additional application is necessary.
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THINGS TO DO
THINGS TO DO IN KLEBERG COUNTY and the surrounding areas
Kingsville didn’t earn its legendary status by chance. There are plenty of epic things to do here, including eco-tourism, history, fishing, BBQ cookoffs, rodeos, chasing Monarch Butterflies, golf, listening to a symphony orchestra or an academic lecture, picnics in the park or just enjoying a great South Texas burger, Mexican restaurant or great seafood, we have it all. We’re just waiting for y’all to come and visit.
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King Ranch Saddle Shop The King Ranch Saddle Shop is located in the historic John B. Ragland Mercantile Building that’s located in the heart of Kingsville and a few minutes away from the King Ranch Museum and King Ranch Visitor Center. Although the Saddle Shop today sells a variety of goods like furniture, luggage, and clothing, the handcrafted saddles and specialty leather are still its strong suit. At the King Ranch Saddle Shop, you can find exquisite leather goods and quality outdoor gear for your next adventure. Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday: Closed• 201 E. Kleberg
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Walking Tour of Texas A&M- Kingsville
A lovely stroll through this historic University is a walk well spent. From the Ben Bailey Art Gallery and Conner Museum to the beautiful walk through the center of campus to Javalina Stadium is a scenic walk you and your family can enjoy together.
Shop Downtown Kingsville The historic downtown shopping district on Kleberg Ave. features the King Ranch Saddle Shop, Harrel’s Pharmacy, and a host of unique stores, restaurants, coffee shops and jewelry stores. The 1904 Train Depot museum is nearby, as are a couple of Monarch City USA gardens.
The Brookshire Skate Park and Public Pool
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It gets hot in Stouth Texas during the summer, so take a dip in the Brookshire pool and let the kiddos skate to their heart’s content at the cool skate park. The pool and skate park are located at 1519 E. Kenedy Street in Kingsville.
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Navy and Marine Corps Jets
A familiar sound and sight in Kingsville are the T-45 jets from Naval Air Station-Kingsville that fly over Kingsville and Kleberg County almost every day. The future Navy and Marine fighter pilots that will defend our country are housed and trained at the Naval Air Station. Kingsville loves jet noise!
Javelina Athletics
Led by its famous football team, Javelina athletics have featured some of the greatest athletes of all times. Enjoy a college football, basketball or softball game, or take in one of the universities indoor sports teams.
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THINGS TO DO
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Santa Barraza’s Fine Arts Gallery
Santa Borraza’s Fine Arts Gallery and Studio and Ben Bailey Gallery Two of the most widely-renown artists of the Southwest have galleries in Kingsville. The Barraza Fines Arts Gallery and Studio, featuring world-class Chicana painting, is located on 407 S. 5th St. The famous Ben Bailey Gallery is located on the campus of Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
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The 1904 Historic Train Depot
The restored 1904 Train Depot was formed in part to help connect Kingsville to Corpus Christi to the north and Brownsville to the south. The Museum also serves as a visitor center and is an integral part of the legacy and development of Kingsville.
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Festival de la Loteria
Held in April, this fun-filled festival features Loteria, games, big prizes, live music and mariachi bands, local and out-of-town vendors line Kleberg Ave. in the heart of historic downtown Kingsville.
John E. Conner Museum
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Kaufer Hubert County Park
Located in Riviera on the shores of beautiful Baffin Bay, this county park is located on the bay of one of the top fishing spots located near the Gulf of Mexico. The park has been updated to include new boat ramps, a new fishing pier, a new boat wash facility, and a brand new pavilion overlooking the bay. Plenty of playground equipment for the kids, and the Sea Winds RV Park is located next door with beautiful views of the Bay.
Located on the campus of Texas A&M-Kingsville, the Museum is almost as old as the University itself. Founded by the first professor of history, John E. Conner, the Museum opened in 1929 and is home to the history of South Texas. Since 1979, the Museum is located in Loftin Hall, the former student dining hall. KLEBERG COUNTY 11
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King Ranch Visitor Center
The King Ranch Visitor Center offers a variety of tours that allow guests to explore the many aspects of the legendary Ranch. Daily Historical Tours guide visitors on an hour and a half journey through the Ranch, providing insight on the history of the Ranch and current operations. King Ranch Quarter Horses, the Santa Gertrudis breed of cattle, a resident Longhorn herd, and an abundance of wildlife can be viewed along the way. Unlike the stereotypical “dude ranch,” it will be apparent to visitors that King Ranch is an active, working cattle operation. Take a tour of the birthplace of American ranching.
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Wings Over South Texas
Every even year the famous Blue Angels perform in early April over the community through the good graces of the Naval Air Station located here. The area rotates with the City of Corpus Christi to host this prestigious air show event, with Kingsville slated to host the show in 2022, depending on funding.
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Junior Livestock Show
In late January and early February of each year, the Kleberg-Kenedy Junior Livestock Show is one of the highlight events of the calendar for our area. Bidders come from all over South Texas to purchase these quality animals with vendors galore filling the J.K. Northway Expo Center.
J.K. Northway Expo Center
A fine exhibition hall is being rehabilitated into a new stateof-the-art facility that can host everything from rodeos, livestock shows, concerts, and conventions. A new rodeo arena is planned next to the center, along with outdoor pens for livestock. With over 13 quality hotels in the area, plan your next event here.
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Riviera Museum
A hidden treasure in the community of Riviera is the Museum housed in a classic old bank building. The Musuem is filled with artifacts from the founding of the Riviera community and Baffin Area, and houses a restored fire engine. The bank building is reported to have been robbed by Pancho Villa back in the day. KLEBERG COUNTY 13
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Wine Walk Holiday Sip & Shop
The Wine Walk Holiday Sip & Shop fills Downtown Kingsville with fun each November and December. Guests sample dozens of varieties of wine and beer (non-alcoholic passports available, too!) while visiting local shops and vendors to gather stamps in their keepsake passport for chances to win thousands of dollars in prizes.
La Posada Parade
The lighted Christmas Parade the city holds every December is a children’s favorite. Not only are there lots of entries, but the parade participants love to hand out candy and other goodies to the children on the parade route. The parade happens annually on the first Saturday in December
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Professional Bull Riders (PBR)
A great Texas tradition of bull riding comes to Kingsville every February for a huge show at the J.K. Northway Expo Center. Some of the biggest stars on the PBR tour attend. Plan on visiting a good restaurant while in town.
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Vishal Raju Bhagat Dog Park
Located in the famous Dick Kleberg Park, the new Vishal Raju Bhagat Dog Park is a new but important addition to the city. The park is broken into two different sections; one for big dogs and one area for small dogs. So bring the family pet on your trip to Kingsville, and enjoy the Dog Park which is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.
L.E. Ramey Golf Course
Built in the 1970s, L.E. Ramey is a challenging 18-hole municipal course loaded with bunkers, water hazards and tree-lined fairways. Green fees are reasonable, with the course usually playing around 6500 yards. The city has made a conscious effort recently to improve the fairways and greens.
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THINGS THINGS TO TO DODO
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KING RANCH NATURE TOUR The King Ranch Nature Tour Program began more than 25 years ago and gives visitors to the Ranch access to thousands of acres of pristine wilderness. Guided tours are available by appointment during specific periods of the Spring, Fall and Winter seasons. The Ranch has been honored as an Internationally Important Bird Area: 370 species of birds have been recorded there, including the largest known population of ferruginous pygmy-owls in the United States. Offered tours range from two-hour Beginning Birder outings to a three-day, two-night Birding Adventure that includes lodging on the Norias Division of the King Ranch.
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Butterfly Buds Pollinator Gardens
In 2020, Kingsville became an official Monarch City USA memeber. The community is moving quickly to build a network of Butterfly gardens all over Kingsville, and you’ll have fun exploring the numerous locations and communing with Mother Nature at her best. Log your sightings on inaturalist or check out the app to see what species others have spotted.
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Hibler Taxidermy
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One of the great taxidermy families in all of Texas lives in Kingsville. They have created world-class mounts for such famous people like General Norman Schwarzkopf. In addition, the Hiblers are now making world-class bronze art featuring Texas Wildlife. Check out their shop near downtown when in Kingsville.
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Baffin Bay Fishing
Some of the best Red, Drum and Ocean Trout fishing in the United States can be found in the waters of Baffin Bay, just a short 15-drive southeast of Kingsville in the community of Riviera and Loyola Beach. Numerous guides and fishing lodges dot the surrounding area, and anglers are almost guaranteed to catch some great tasting ocean seafood.
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Mexican Food
You can’t come to South Texas without eating at one of the many Mexican Restaurants in town. Here are just a few you must enjoy: El Tapatio, Casa De Tacos, El Corral, El Dorado, Mariachi Brothers, Mr. Jaime’s Taqueria, Los Cabos Mexican Bar & Grill, La Hacienda and numerous food trucks located throughout the community.
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THINGS TO DO
Edward Jones Auditorium
Part of the School of Music at Texas A&M--Kingsville is where the Edward Jones Auditorium is located. This beautiful 941seat facility is not only to the Kingsville Symphony Orchestra, but also hosts traveling touring shows, a summer musical and other major campus events.
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Kenedy Ranch Museum of South Texas
Located just 20 miles south of Kingsville in the quaint town of Sarita is the Musuem dedicated to the history of Mifflin Kenedy and his family. Mifflin Kenedy was the long-time partner of Richard King, and the two men changed history in ranching, railroading, oil and business development. A great trip would be to see the King Ranch Museum and the Kenedy Ranch Museum.
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Dick Kleberg Park
Located on the south side of Kingsville, the sprawling City Park is home to playgrounds, ball fields, Monarch Butterflies, a world-class interactive hiking trail filled with exhibits and art is an excellent neighbor to the J.K. Northway Expo Center. If you are planning a family reunion or just want to throw a blanket on the grass and enjoy the bounty of Mother Nature, Dick Kleberg is the place for you.
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We have the best hamburgers
One of the unknown facts about Kingsville is the utterly fantastic hamburgers made throughout the area. There are so many good hamburger joints that even the Mexican restaurants now make world-class burgers. When in town be sure to check out Big House Burgers, Mariachi House of Burgers, Bray’s Smokehouse, Nucky’s and all the rest. For something really great to eat, try the Texicali at Young’s Pizza. A tradition at Texas A&M--Kingsville.
Kingsville Symphony Orchestra
One of the great hidden treasures of Kingsville is the Kingsville Symphony Orchestra. The KSO plays in the marvelous Jones Auditorium four times a year and has a variety of different concerts.
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KING RANCH MUSEUM The King Ranch Museum is the definitive repository of ranch lore and the items on display clearly evoke the bygone days on Captain King’s legendary spread. The museum has a special permanent exhibit entitled “From Old Sorrel to the Boon,” chronicling the history of the King Ranch Quarter Horses. Other items include antique carriages, vintage cars and saddles from around the world. For 2021, the museum also includes an expanded exhibit featuring the history of Assault, the King Ranch’s 1946 Triple Crown winner. The exhibit celebrates the 75th Anniversary of that historic run by the only horse from Texas to ever win the honor.
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Fourth Of July
One of the fun events in the summer is the 4th of July Pet and Bike Parade, birthday celebrations held in downtown Kingsville. Pets dressed up like Uncle Sam. The Fourth of July is the city’s birthday and NAS-Kingsville’s Birthday, so the celebration includes hot dogs, cake and piñatas!
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Hibler Taxidermy
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One of the great taxidermy families in all of Texas live in Kingsville. They have created world-class mounts for such famous people like General Norman Schwarzkopf. In addition, the Hibler’s are now making world-class bronze art featuring Texas Wildlife. Check out their shop near downtown when in Kingsville.
Kingsville Farmer’s Market
The Kingsville Farmer’s Market has been around a long time and is held every 4th Saturday of each month near downtown Kingsville. Some of the best produce grown in South Texas finds its way to our Farmer’s Market. There are other vendors, artisans and craftsmen who also attend during the year.
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Wild Horse Distillery
A new addition to the emerging culture of Kingsville is the Wild Horse Distillery located just south of the city near Ricardo, Texas. Owned by Jacob Bynum and his family of the renowned Bynum family. They have made a wide variety of rums based on Jacob’s experience from traveling the world. The good news is that they are looking to expand into Vodka in the near future. Award winnder rum! KLEBERG COUNTY 19
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IMPORTANT NUMBERS Kingsville Police Dept. (361) 592-4311 Kleberg County Sheriff’s Office (361) 595-8500 Kingsville Convention & Visitors (Office of Tourism) (361) 592-8516 Christus Spohn Hospital - Kleberg (361) 881-3000 Kingsville City Hall (361) 595-8000 King Ranch Visitor Center (361) 592-8055
Kleberg County Appraisal District (361) 595-5775 Kingsville Parks and Recreation Susan Ivy (361) 221-8705 Kleberg County Courthouse (361) 595-8561
FISHING AND HUNTING GUIDES Baffin Bay Hunting and Fishing Mark Franklin (361) 720-4003 Baffin Bay Guide Services Les Cobb (361) 548-5511 Feathers and Sheds Unlimited Josh Hartwick (281) 658-2942
The Kingsville Record newspaper (361) 592-4304
Paradise Guide Services Capt. Gerad Merritt (361) 228-0192
Kingsville Chamber of Commerce (361) 592-6438
Baffin Bay Rod and Gun Capt. Sally Black (361) 205-0624
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Howdy!
from Kingsville, home of Texas heritage & history A charming Texas city, located just 33 miles south of Corpus Christi, Kingsville, Texas has a little bit of fun for everyone! We got our name from the founder of the famous King Ranch, Richard King. It was on July 4, 1904 when the first passenger train departed Kingsville headed to Brownsville when our city was founded. Thirty-eight years later, Naval Air Station Kingsville was born on July 4th. Today we celebrate both birthdays along with our nation’s birthday with a festive pet and bike parade in our Historic Downtown and everyone is invited to celebrate, Kingsville-style. Our 1904 Historic Train Depot Museum offers guests an opportunity to take a step back in time and learn our South Texas history. While you are there, you might just spot a train passing by the depot. The museum is free and open to the public Monday through Friday and during downtown events. Visit the Train Depot grounds anytime and find one of our city’s Monarch City USA Butterfly Buds Pollinator Gardens. There’s always something to do in Kingsville! From the National Professional Bull Riders Rodeo to our annual Festival de la Lotería; our Wine Walk Holiday Sip & Shop gives you the opportunity to browse unique shops and sip a variety of wine and beer and our Butterfly Festival provides education and fun in Dick Kleberg Park. It pairs nicely with a special butterfly tour on the legendary King
Ranch! Kingsville has an abundance of history and art and when you visit the Barraza Fine Art Gallery, you’ll also get to see a remodeled Greek Revival Style home. The Ben Bailey Art Gallery is another great stop for art aficionados, and our Kingsville Symphony Orchestra performs multiple times throughout the year. While on the Texas A&M University-Kingsville campus, visit the John E. Conner Museum and explore the interactive ‘En Mi Familia’ exhibit featuring famed Chicana Artist Carmen Lomas Garza and get an up-close look at Kingsville’s own World Champion Boxer ‘Lil Oscar Cantu’s championship belts. You can also explore the Graves Peeler Hall of Horns at the museum, which also features temporary exhibits throughout the year. The Conner Museum is free and open to the public Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Our 18-hole golf course is the perfect backdrop for a day on the greens. Some visitors go there just to spot the abundant wildlife who enjoy the nine ponds and plentiful mesquite trees that signal you are spending the day in South Texas. Follow us on Facebook @KingsvilleVisitorsCenter to stay up to date on events, win prizes and lock in some special hotel discounts at one of our 13 properties in town. Come on over and find out why Kingsville is a great place to hang your hat!
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ATTRACTIONS A B C D E F G H I J K L M
1904 Train Depot Museum Barraza Fine Art (gallery/studio) Dick Kleberg Park John E. Conner Museum King Ranch Museum Kingsville Visitors Center L.E. Ramey Golf Course Urban Xeriscape/Monarch Butterfly Garden Maggie Salinas Pavilion Texas A&M University-Kingsville Mother Julia Museum Flato Park/Splash Pad Historic Downtown
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Kleberg County Courthouse City of Kingsville Kingsville Chamber of Commerce The Kingsville Record King Ranch© Christus Spohn Hospital Kleberg Kingsville Police Department Kleberg County Sheriff’s Office Wild Horse Distillery-581 W. CR2180 Baffin Bay in Riviera Nature Trail, Lake LaCour and Splash Pad, all located in Bishop 1717
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Harrel’s Pharmacy: Norman Rockwell comes to Kingsville
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ne of the oldest operating business icons in downtown Kingsville is Harrel’s Kingsville Pharmacy located on Kleberg Street for over 100 years. The Harrel family has graced the business community by serving up quality pharmaceutical care, friendly service, and operatoperat ing an iconic soda fountain that offers old school charm. His grandfather, Nick Sr. bought the business that was Wakeman Drug, but changed the name to Harrel Drug. “He was a bookkeeper in Louisiana. He wanted to marry my grandmother, and sought permission from her father, Mr. John NoNo lan who lived here in Kingsville. “He wrote a letter to her dad, asking for her hand. He promised he could provide for her. Her Dad responded by saying there were great opportunities here in Kingsville, and gave my grandfather his permission to marry his daughter. “Well, they got married, moved to Kingsville, and he ended up buying a pharmacy business.”
“My grandfather first opened the store
which was located in the building right next door to the west--back in 1916,” said Nick Harrel III, the current owner of the business.
In the Twenties and Thirties, the pharmacy added a soda fountain at the front of the business overlooking Kleberg Street. It quickly became a popular breakfast and lunch spot. In fact, Nick III says his grandfather was something of an innovator. “I know that sometime in the Thirties, he offered pickup service,” Harrel laughed. “He was doing it long before all this (COVID-19) started. He saved the parking spaces in front of the pharmacy, and people would drive up and flash their lights in the business. Someone would come out, take their order, deliver it, and off the car would go.” 30 KLEBERG COUNTY
In the 1940s, Nick Harrel Jr. and his brother John Nolan Harrel joined the business. Nick Jr. was a graduate of the University of Texas--Austin and met his wife Claudia there. Claudia Van Blucher was her maiden name, and she came from a very prominent family in Corpus Christi. Nick Sr. still ran the business, but Nick Jr. and his brother John worked at the business for decades. Over the years, the elder Harrel owned seven different pharmacies in south Texas, keeping many of them open at the same time (although not all at once). While the Harrel’s were
earning their living, there were two other pharmacies operating in the downtown area. One was the Kingsville Pharmacy, and the other was Rangel Pharmacy. After Nick Jr. and John started taking over more of the management of the business, the soda fountain was moved to the back of the original location and the business prospered. Nick Sr. started to slow down, but still worked part time until late in his life. In the 1950s, Nick III was born, and he attended H.M. King High School, where he graduated in 1970. Nick says for fun he would fish and hunt and ride bikes. As he
got older, he told his dad he wanted a car. “Well, you’ll have to get a job if you want a car,” Nick Jr. told his son. So he found one, working at Dunham’s Music Mart selling 45’s for .99 and LP’s for 3.99. “Eventually, I saved up enough to buy a 1959 Impala,” Nick said proudly. “Those were really big cars! We use to cruise town, and we’d switch off between going to C and M Drive-in and Skee’s. It was where everybody hung out.” After graduating, Nick headed off to Texas Tech to do his undergraduate work.
“My sister Claudia went to Tech because she was chasing her high school boyfriend there--or something like that,” Nick laughed. “Anyhow, she came to me one day and said ‘You’re going to be in Kingsville all your life. You need to get out and see the world’.” Nick went off to Texas Tech, spending three years there while he earned enough credits to get into Pharmacy School. After three years, he applied and was accepted at UT-Austin in 1973. There he earned he got his pharmacy degree and met his first wife Laurie at UT-Austin in 1975. They got married, and after he got his degree, they moved back to Kingsville. Nick went to work for his dad and uncle and has been there ever
since. “Dad bought out my uncle John just a few days before he passed,” Nick said. “When my dad passed away in 1981, I took over ownership of the pharmacy.” In 1990, Nick bought out the Kingsville Pharmacy and renamed it Harrel’s Kingsville Pharmacy. The new acquisition was located east of Harrel’s store on Kleberg street, and he wound up using that building for the pharmacy while the original Harrel’s building contained the soda fountain and other goods. “Laurie got real sick of making the walk between the two stores,” Nick recalled with the big grin he is famous for. “The owner of the business next door had been after me to buy his building,
so when he retired, Laurie ‘encouraged’ me to buy the building. So I did, and we remodeled that and closed the other two stores--which we still own.” Not long after the remodeling of the new location, Nick and Laurie went their separate ways, having had a son named, well, you just knew it had to be Nick IV. In 2000, Nick bought out Minnie Rangel’s pharmacy when she retired, making him the only pharmacist left downtown. It was about this time the single Mr. Harrel met his current wife Joni. The rest is history. “I love Kingsville, and I always have,” Harrel said. “This is a great place to live. I’ve made so many friendships over the past 40 years why would I ever want to
leave? “This is a good town to do business in. It has an available workforce for just about any kind of business or commercial venture, the people are friendly here and will do anything to help one another out, and I think the small-town charm close to big city opportunities is the ideal place to do business. “I’ve actually been lucky enough to have served five different generations of families here in Kingsville,” Harrel said.”I get to tell the grandchildren what their grandparents were like when they were younger,” he laughed. “You can’t do that anywhere else, can you? This has so much charm I think lots of different businesses would like to be here once they discover us.”
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WE ARE HERE WHEN YOU NEED US
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hristus Spohn Hospital Kleberg is a premier medical facility found in a town known for its ranching history and rich Texas culture - Kingsville, Texas. Licensed for 96 beds, the hospital is a general acute-care facility offering complete medical and surgical services including obstetrics, pediatrics, diagnostic and rehabilitation services. The facility is a recipient of the 2019 Patient Safety Excellence Award™ for safeguarding patients from serious, potentially preventable complications during their hospital stay, and serves the residents of Kleberg, Brooks, Kenedy, and southern Nueces counties. Complete with emergency services and doctors who specialize in pediatric medicine, from newborns to teens, the hospital's pediatric services are prepared to serve your children with skill and compassion. We understand that a stay at the hospital can be frightening for you and your child, so our doctors and nursing
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staff are trained to care for our littlest patients. CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Kleberg offers convenient, close-to-home birthing services with beautiful suites, hospital tours and education resources to help you feel confident for the big day. If necessary, Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at our sister facility, CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi – South, is ready to provide comprehensive care for premature and critically ill infants. The facility is also host to the Cissy Horlock Taub Women's Center - a diagnostic, educational and resource center offering mammography, ultrasound and bone density studies. Equipped with digital mammography, the Women's Center at CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Kleberg offers this advanced technology allowing doctors to view x-ray images of the breast more closelyzeroing in on suspicious areas of concern. Featured on our hospital campus is Colston Family Physical
Rehabilitation and Wellness Center which features modern and innovative physical rehabilitation and wellness services. Some of the facility's outstanding features are an aquatic therapy pool with underwater treadmill; stateof-the-art "Techno-Gym" equipment including the Kinesis Wall - a unique 360° pulley training system; advanced pediatric rehabilitation services; nutritional consultation; work programming; and, speech therapy. Our Wellness Center has certified personal trainers, massage therapy and group exercise classes to meet the community's wellness needs. The facility also offers Cardiac Rehabilitation, which is a physician prescribed program for people who have experienced some form of heart disease such as a heart attack or congestive heart failure. They may have undergone heart surgery, angioplasty or stent placement. Cardiac rehabilitation can improve
strength and endurance, reduce symptoms, and create a sense of well-being for patients. With support from the Riviera Telephone Company, CHRISTUS Spohn cardiac rehab programs are individually designed for each patient and are supervised by a cardiologist and managed by cardiac rehabilitation professionals. CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Kleberg is designated by the Texas Department of Health as a Level IV Trauma Center, providing 24-hour emergency and intensive care services for critically ill or injured patients. The hospital employs physicians who are available 24 hours a day and are certified in emergency medicine. The hospital partners with Halo Flight and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) throughout the region to facilitate the safe and timely transport of all critical care and trauma patients after stabilization to CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Shoreline, the region’s only Level II Trauma Center south of San Antonio.
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Mother Julia’s Chapel and Museum is located at 410 E. Richard Ave.
Mother Julia’s Chapel and Museum honors saintly nun K
ingsville, Texas may have the first saint to be recognized a servant of God and led a life with sufficient holiness and virby the Catholic Church in South Texas in the future. tue. Pope John Paul II proclaimed Mother Julia “venerable” Mother Julia Navarrete, who established a convent and in 2014 for miracles she performed in Mexico and the U.S., acschool in Kingsville, is being considered for sainthood by the cording to Salinas. Vatican. Salinas, Sister Maxima G. Cruz, and others were Today, Mother Julia’s Chapel and Museum honor instrumental in the restoration of the chapel and her memory. The chapel and museum, located at the one room school building where Mother Julia By Gloria 410 E. Richard Ave., is the original site where worked and prayed. At that time Salinas was also Mother Julia started the convent and school. The involved in the revitalization project of the old HisBigger-Cantu buildings were opened to the public in November panic business and residential district area where 2015. she grew up in that neighborhood and whose faMother Julia came to Kingsville in 1916 and was ther was one of Mother Julia’s students. the founder of the Congregation of the Missionary Daughters Mother Julia was born in Oaxaca, Mexico, on June 30, 1881. of the Most Pure Virgin Mary. She also started the first school Her father was a professor. She became a nun at the age of 19. for Mexican American children to promote their education that Mother Julia fled the Mexican revolution and moved to the U.S. included strong Christian values. Mother Julia established with other nuns from the Order of the Missionary Daughters of more than 45 convents in Mexico and the U.S. the Purest Virgin Mary. After arriving in Kingsville in 1916, she “After Mother Julia is proclaimed a saint, I expect the chapel bought a home built by Captain Richard King, the founder of and the museum to become a major draw to the community the King Ranch. She quickly established a convent and school. and out of town visitors,” said Maggie Salinas a local historian. Sister Maxie, a nun at St. Martin’s Church, knew Mother Julia “I am looking forward to it becoming a major pilgrimage center and took care of her in her final days in a convent in Toluca, like the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle.” (Located Mexico. Mother Julia died in Toluca, Mexico on November 21, in San Juan, Texas) 1974 at the age of 93. Mother Julia is two steps away from being canonized to beMother Julia wrote her autobiography, “My Journey: Recome a saint. She has fulfilled the other requirements of being membrances of My Life, A Mexican Mystic of Our Times.” KLEBERG COUNTY 35
HISTORY
There are many reasons to visit Kingsville, but first you must bask in its history by Gloria Bigger-Cantu There are many reasons to visit Kingsville, but first you must bask in its history. Kingsville reflects the legendary history of the King Ranch along with the establishment of Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and Naval Air Station Kingsville. That’s just the beginning. Kingsville became a reality on July 4, 1904 when both Kingsville and the St. Louis, Brownsville, and Mexico Railroad were established. On that historic date, the railroad made its first run from Corpus Christi to Brownsville. The train symbolized not only the birth of Kingsville, but the opening of South Texas. The town was first called the Townsite on Santa Gertrudis Ranch. Later the town was named Kingsville after Captain Richard King, the founder of the King Ranch. It encompassed 825,000 acres in 1853. Kingsville served as the headquarters for the railroad company and consisted of 853 acres that were divided into 226 blocks and numerous farm tracts. Lots were sold for $50 and $500 dollars for choice corner lots. Robert J. Kleberg, the King Ranch manager, had a vision for growth. Mrs. Henrietta M. King, his mother-in-law, had appointed him manager after her husband’s death in 1885. Kleberg dedicated his time, money, and resources into 36 KLEBERG COUNTY
creating an agricultural empire that would promote the first South Texas railroad, attract settlers, and create businesses. He succeeded in finding drillers that discovered artesian wells. This success resulted in vegetable farming that were irrigated from artesian well water. Soon there was a need to transport the vegetables to market. Kleberg campaigned through
When the first train arrived, the 853-acre site had already been platted by surveyor Fred Warren. The historic railroad depot is still there and open to visitors. Mrs. King also donated land and funds for H.M. King High School that was built in 1909. The city was incorporated in 1911. Kingsville, originally a part of Nueces County, be-
letter writing railroad construction businessmen such as B.F. Yoakum and Uriah Lott. Soon Lott, a railroad pioneer, agreed to build the railroad line. Kleberg hired a surveyor in 1903 to lay out a townsite and repair areas three miles south of Mrs. King’s ranch home. Mrs. King had deeded 41,820 acres to the Kleberg Town and Improvement created by her son-in-law.
came Kleberg County on Feb. 27,1913. In 1917 a college was established as the South Texas Normal School with the name changed in 1925 as the South Texas State Teachers College. It became Texas College of Arts and Industries from 1929 to 1967. Next it was named Texas A&I University from 19671993. The university became
a member of the Texas A&M University System in 1989 and changed its name to Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 1993. Naval Air Station Kingsville was established in 1942 as the Naval Auxiliary Air Station, (NAAS) Kingsville. The station served as an auxiliary field, aiding in training many of the U.S. Navy’s pilots for World War II. Today Kingsville has a population of 25,203. Kingsville’s largest stores are H.E.B, Walmart, and Lowe’s. There are many restaurants, especially Mexican restaurants, and numerous fast-food places featuring chicken and some of the best hamburgers in all of Texas.. Some tourists refer to Kingsville as a “quaint” town especially when visiting downtown. Kingsville is also an eco-tourist town, with plenty of birding at the King Ranch and now is a Monarch Butterfly city. Just south of Kingsville is the quaint town of Riviera which leads to Baffin Bay, home of some of the best Red and Drum fishing in all the world. There’s plenty of things to see and do in our area, and we have plenty of fine hotels for you to stay in.
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Coming in spring 2022
The Erma Center Currently under construction in Riviera, we are proud to introduce The Erma Center! A multi-purpose events venue, The Erma Center will be appointed with a large indoor ballroom which will seat 250 indoors, plus covered outdoor seating will be able to seat an additional 250, it will have a full commercial kitchen, “Tech Lounge”, which will convert to a meeting room for up to 18, as well as a bride’s suite and groom’s suite, if the occasion requires. On the same campus, Burnin’ Daylight, a smaller stand-alone “cocktail party” space, will be host to the Happy Hour/Cocktail Party crowd. This space is anchored by a converted telephone switching hut, built in 1964. This space can be converted into a full-function lounge, with a small sitting area both indoor and outdoor, walk-in cooler, and fullfunction bar. Weddings, Quinceañeras, Trade shows, Charity events, family reunions, graduation parties and more will now have a destination for a venue experience that is both unique and close to home. 40 KLEBERG COUNTY
History never looked as good as it does at the Riviera Historical Museum Located in the beautifully restored Riviera Bank building, the museum is a treasure trove of local Riviera and Loyola Beach history that harkens back to the early days of the small community, including a visit from Pancho Villa! The museum opened on Sunday, September 25, 1983, and houses old typewriters, irons, farm equipment and imim plements, musical equipment, historic records, old photophoto graphs and other pieces of Americana. It even has an old 1943 fire engine it is trying to restore! But the real gem of the museum may be the building itself, which originally opened as the Riviera Bank on August 23, 1910. In 1909, Theodore Koch met with Charles Flato of KingsKings ville to discuss building and opening a bank in Riviera. The two men agreed to capitalcapital ize the bank at $10,000, with $4000 going for bricks, a fire and burglar proof safe, cashier cages and other amenities. Volunteers in the communicommuni ty actually helped build the bank. When the bank opened, H.O. Rundle served as the first president. In the 1920's, Sam Fimble took over,changed the name to Farmer's State Bank, but had it taken over in 1926 by the First National Bank of Kingsville. Since 1926, it has been a residence, a grocery store and even served as the United States Post Office until 1945. After 1945, the building was used as a shelter for storms but was mostly vacant and subject to vandalism and neglect. Then, in 1973, the Riviera Beautification Association bought the building for $2000.
The founders of the association were Fred and Liz Yaklin, Idella and Fritz Strubhart, Smokey Storms and Kay and John Dunaho. "Those were the real pioneers who saved this building," said Jerry Martinez, who serves as the museum curator and point person. "It took 10 years of holding bake sales, auctions, suppers, donations and volunteer labor to bring this building back. We owe a lot to that committee and their help." In 1984, the G.A. Riskin home was moved to the site and has been restored to be an annex to the bank building. A Kenedy Foundation grant helped with the funding, but Toby Yaklin moved and remodeled the house and Perry Cooper did the wiring. Now the interior of the museum has a bedroom, kitchen, country store, tools--all representing life from almost a century ago. Inside the Bank Building, which is the main part of the museum, a visitor is greeted with old wooden floors and Americana-type charm. Display tables holding farm tools, irons, memorabilia, bottles, tins, and books greet the eye. There are pictures of old Texas Ranger units, as well as a story about Panco Villa visiting the old Bank. Local legend has it that Villa actually robbed the bank, and the place where the vault was located is still there and is filled with artifacts. People interested in visiting the museum have to do so by appointment, as the museum does not have regular hours. To make an appointment, contact Jerry Martinez at 210849-2060. KLEBERG COUNTY 41
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Fishermen know where Baffin Bay isPretty soon so will the rest of Texas and the country. Located just 15 minutes southeast of Kingsville, Baffin Bay empties into the Laguna Madre and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. The best way to get to the Bay and Loyola Beach are through the town of Riviera. Once you inhale your first draft of salt-water air, you’ll realize you’ve entered a different part of the county. The beautiful blue-green water of Baffin Bay sparkles under the sunlight, while below the surface lurk some of the largest Drum and Red populations on the entire Gulf of Mexico. There are public boat launches in Riviera, with two new launches having just been installed at Kaufer-Hubert County Park located right on the Bay. At Kaufer-Hubert, anglers can decide whether to surf fish, fish from the long piers that extend into the bay, ply the open waters in their own boats or hire the many knowledgeable guides who dot the shoreline around the entire Bay area. There are cozy cottages and places to stay on the Bay, in addition to numerous RV Parks in the area, especially the SeaWinds RV Park which is located adjacent to Kaufer-
Hubert. A little further up the road off the bay, Kingsville offers over 13 fine hotels and motels for tourists and families to stay in. Fishing and the view of the Bay is a real reason to come to Kingsville and Kleberg County. Under the direction of Kleberg County Judge, the County Park and the SeaWinds RV Park have had significant upgrades. There is a new boat wash station, new launches, a nice pavilion available for rent for reunions, parties and weddings and a myriad of things for the kids to do in the park. If it’s great seafood you’re looking for, Baffin Bay has that too. The Baffin Bay Seafood Company is quickly becoming famous as one of the best seafood restaurants on the Coastal Bend, while a little further up the Bay the venerable Kings Inn continues to thrill customers from all over with their tasty menu. So what are you waiting for? There’s sandy beaches, great fishing, great food, great amenities and plenty of places to stay. We’ll look forward to meeting you on the Bay! KLEBERG COUNTY 43
to Baffin Bay
Kaufer-Hubert County Park
Play & Stay Here
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MONTHLY CALENDAR
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
• Kleberg County Junior Livestock Show • Kingsville Farmers Market (every 4th Saturday of the month)
• National Professional Bull Riders • Kingsville Farmers Market (every 4th Saturday of the month)
• Community Easter Egg Hunts/Celebrations • Kingsville Farmers Market (every 4th Saturday of the month)
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
• Festival de la Loteria • Wings Over South Texas Air Show • TAMUK Spring Fling • A Ride on the Wild Side • Kingsville Farmers Market (every 4th Saturday of the month)
• St. Gertrude Church Spring Festival • Cinco de Mayo events • Kingsville Farmers Market (every 4th Saturday of the month)
• DIVA Scholarship Pageant • Kingsville Farmers Market (every 4th Saturday of the month)
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
• 4th of July Pet & Bike Parade • Kingsville Symphony Orchestra Patriotic Concert • Kingsville Farmers Market (every 4th Saturday of the month)
• Summer Camps/Events • Kingsville Farmers Market (every 4th Saturday of the month)
• High School & College Football Games • Fiesta de Paloma King Ranch Saddle Shop • Kingsville Farmers Market (every 4th Saturday of the month)
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
• Texas A&M-Kingsville Homecoming • Community Fall Festivals • Kingsville Farmers Market (every 4th Saturday of the month)
• Veterans Day Parade • Big House Burgers Bash & Concert • Kingsville Farmers Market (every 4th Saturday of the month)
• La Posada de Kingsville Parade/ Events • Kingsville Farmers Market (every 4th Saturday of the month)
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LODGING “A Great Place to Hang Your Hat” Like us on Facebook @KingsvilleVisitorsCenter Econo Lodge 221 S. Hwy 77 (361) 592-5251
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Knights Inn 3334 S. US 77 (361) 595-4800
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Super 8 by Wyndham 105 S. Hwy 77 (361) 592-6471
Holiday Inn Express & Suites 2400 S. Hwy 77 (361) 592-8333
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Hampton Inn 2489 S. Hwy 77 (361) 592-9800
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Americas Best Value Inn 2402 E. King Ave. (361) 595-5656
Executive Inn 2203 E. King Ave. (361) 595-7700
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La Quinta 2151 S. Hwy 77 (361) 592-3000
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Motel 6 101 N. Hwy 77 (361) 221-1397
Economy Inn 1415 S. 14th St. (361) 592-5214
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TownePlace Suites By Marriott 2574 S. Hwy 77 (361) 221-9800
Budget Inn 716 S. 14th St. (361) 592-4322
Quality Inn 505 N. Hwy 77 (361) 516-1120 KLEBERG KLEBERG COUNTY COUNTY 47