12 Secret Things In Corpus Christi You Didn’t Know About

1. Beware The Giant Devil

A giant statue of the devil isn’t something you drive by very often in any city, but it seems especially strange in a city named after “the body of Christ.” But there it is. And apparently he cares a lot about recycling, as he’s placed in front of a recycling center and shown impaling dozens of aluminum cans with his pitchfork. The big red devil is believed to have once been an amusement park horror prop for the Hell Hole ride in the northeast region of the U.S. Apparently the owner of the recycling center spent much of his younger years as an amusement ride technician and acquired the statue in the mid-1990s. Obviously, the only thing to do was to make it a recycling center mascot.

2. But Don’t Worry, Jesus Will Save You

There’s no reason to fear the giant devil when you’ve got Jesus riding in the waves to protect you. There really is no explanation of why Jesus is surfing other than the fact that it’s Corpus Christi and surfing is fun. So, when in town, what would Jesus do? He would probably surf just like you. Actually, he’s not even really surfing, since he’s standing in a boat. But “Surfing Jesus” is the name the statue has taken on over the years. Located at the First Methodist Church on Shoreline Blvd., Surfing Jesus is available to view at your leisure. The inscription on the statue reads, “Take Heart. It is I; Have No Fear.” In this ultimate battle of Corpus Christi good versus evil, it’s clear that the devil doesn’t stand a chance.

3. “Corpus Christi” Coming To A Theater Near You… Eventually?

Corpus Christi is about to land in the independent film circuit soon. Richard Kelly, the director of the low-budget cult hit “Donnie Darko” is reportedly in the works of writing, filming and producing a movie called “Corpus Christi” set in the city of, you guessed it, Corpus Christi. The film is reported to be a thriller focusing on the relationship between an unstable Iraq war veteran and his boss. Information on filming and production remains a mystery, maybe even questionable, as Kelly has taken on projects like Amicus starring Nicholas Cage since announcing it a few years back. But there’s no harm in holding out hope. Every city likes a little claim to fame on the big screen.

4. Take Your Undead Date To The Zombie Prom

Are you an undead, rotting corpse still reeling over the fact that you missed prom? Well, you’re in luck. The House of Rock, the county's first morgue, in Corpus Christi has the Zombie Prom just for you. True zombie enthusiasts will do pretty much anything for a chance to get into character, and the House of Rock can take pride in being somewhat ahead of the zombie curve—this October will mark their 10th year running.

5. Whataburger Say What?

It’s no secret that the highly beloved Whataburger started in Corpus Christi back in the 1950s. But you’ve probably never paid homage to the man who started it, Harmon Dobson. But you can. He is immortalized in the form of a bronze statue on Shoreline Blvd. You can also take your love for Whataburger a step further and dive into their little-known but glorious secret menu. That’s right. Whataburger has a secret menu with items that go beyond the basic burgers and fries you will find on the standard, but you have to ask for it. You might get lucky enough to find a delicious Whataburger Hulk drink-colored the same as the Marvel character-or a surprising plate of chicken and pancakes.

6. Get A Selfie With The Not-So-Littlest Mermaid

Some stores like to go all out for their décor. The owner of Ocean Treasures decided to take the name literally by turning the storefront into a humongous, fake sandcastle, complete with a mermaid on a half shell. The enormous sculpture is a favorite among people who happen to wander by for random roadside sightings and selfies, but it gets very little press. Get your picture and stop on in for some flowers or a cool souvenir.

7. Unexpected Thanksgiving Guests

Texas is a hotspot for UFO sightings. And just this past Thanksgiving, Corpus Christi got their share of extraterrestrial attention. UFO-based internet forums lit up about the event, while the news remained silent. From November 27 through November 30 of 2013, numerous reports were made of glowing orange orbs in the sky which could not be explained. These sightings came on the heels of similar sightings in the areas of Austin and League City. It’s not the first time that unexplained lights have been spotted about the skies of Corpus Christi, either, as shown in the above video from 2010, which did happen to make the news. Some have attributed these lights to Chinese lanterns, others to the possibility of drones, and then there are others who say just get a life.

8. The Ghost Of Selena Might Serenade You

Everyone knows that the late singer Selena lived in Corpus Christi. She is legendary. There is a museum dedicated to her along with her gravesite and a bronze statue in her likeness. Depending on your level of taste, some people believe that rubbing the statue’s butt will bring you good luck. But you might not have known that Selena’s ghost is rumored to still haunt the shores of the city. Many people reported hearing singing coming from the area around her grave during sunset on hot summer nights as well as seeing what appears to be Selena walking along the Corpus Christi beach along the sea wall near the T-heads and the Holiday Inn. But the people who knew it, and who knew Alan, still talk about him and his creation very fondly.

9. Thing That Go Bump At Wilson Plaza

Wilson Plaza was Corpus Christi’s first skyscraper and still remains one of the most recognizable structures in the city’s skyline. But it’s known by fewer as a hotspot for paranormal activity. Witnesses who have claimed to experience strange events at the Wilson Plaza most commonly report unusual feelings of being watched, the presence of shadowy figures, and unexplained noises in their offices. Elevators are notorious for stopping on floors when they otherwise shouldn’t and there have been reports of doors and doorknobs moving without any human assistance. People who have reported such occurrences usually claim they happen during the very early hours of the morning and night.

10. Stay The Night On An Aircraft Carrier Among The Ghosts

There’s nothing secret from the looks of the USS Lexington. This genuine WWII aircraft carrier is docked in the city and has become a local landmark. Visitors can spend the night aboard the ship which includes a tour, a mega-theater and flight simulator on board. But inside the walls lurks something more secretive. The ship is rumored to be the most haunted place in Corpus Christi and one of the most haunted ships in the country. It received the nickname “The Blue Ghost” when it was operational by the Japanese due to its tendency to suddenly reappear after having been reported as sunk. Today, it is said to be haunted by the ghosts of the crew. Paranormal investigators and amateur enthusiasts frequent the ship in order to find evidence of the spirits, most of which remains open to interpretation. But it’s still fun for a good spook.

11. Blackbeard’s Got Your Salt Shaker

Corpus Christi runs rampant with haunted tales. One of the more frequent is that of mysterious happenings at Blackbeard’s On The Beach. Although no one is quite sure who or what is haunting Blackbeard’s, opinion runs strong that it is, indeed, haunted. Rumor has it that the spirit who calls the restaurant home likes to stir things up by making salt shakers jump, moving chairs around and playing pranks on employees and patrons – all which are, of course, harmless. Some say that it might be a ghost from the USS Lexington, still hanging around the beach to show tourists around and enjoy the city. Others think that it has something to do with a fight over a red-haired woman in the bar that used to be located here which left one man dead. Either way, Blackbeard’s doesn’t hide the history and, in fact, embraces it. The poor thing is probably only looking for a decent beer.

12. Surfs Up, The Corpus Christi Way

While this museum isn’t exactly a “secret” to surf-enthusiasts, as kitschy and wonderful as it is, the Texas Museum of Surf gets very little press. If you’re not interested in the surfing world, you probably don’t even know that Corpus Christi is a big contributor and a favorite location for the sport. This tiny museum is located in surfing legend Pat McGee’s old office space. Inside you’ll find several dozen vintage boards, including the Otis board, the first known surfboard built in Texas. You‘ll also find cool surfing info and a huge mural dedicated to the history of surfing in Texas. It might not be Hawaii, but it’s definitely worth checking out, dude. Did we miss anything? Tell us your favorite secret spot in Corpus Christi? Tell us in the comments below!