Geologists and educators played a major role in Corpus Christi port development

Recently I came across a report at a used bookstore of the Corpus Christi Geological Society – of its annual field trip in 1956 from Laredo to Monterrey.

Several of the members contributed technical charts, maps and other data – foundational work for the regional petroleum industry.

Chairing the field trip was H. W. (“Bill”) Volk, a figure well-known in Corpus Christi, not only in oil and gas exploration, but in community service, having served (as one example) as a trustee on the Del Mar College Foundation.

The prominent geologist William Armstrong Price also contributed to the report. Price was a native of Virginia and earned a doctorate in geology and mineralogy at Johns Hopkins University in 1913. His career encompassed geomorphology, oceanography, exploration geology, educator, writer. He published over 150 items.

As educator he taught at Texas A&M University, the University of Texas Marine Science Institute at Port Aransas, and Texas A&I University at Kingsville. At the age of 88 he taught for a semester at Corpus Christi State University.

I recall knowing about Dr. Price when my family lived in the Del Mar neighborhood and Price, then retired, and his wife lived a street over: I would see the elderly Price’s strolling down Southern Street.

It was Mary Thorpe, professor of geology at Del Mar College, who would write about the life of Dr. Price in a professional publication.

Among his many accomplishments, she noted, was his mapping in the 1920s of structures that led to the discovery of several wildcat wells and producing fields in South Texas.

Dr. Price would have been well known to Mary Thorpe who led the Geology Department at Del Mar College for 40 years. She passed away two years ago from the coronavirus.

I was fortunate to have taken two courses with her, historical and physical geology. She not only educated but inspired future geologists who would be engaged in the petroleum industry.

In 2026 the Port of Corpus Christi will mark its 100th anniversary, struggle as it did for years to gain political support. Required reading is “Storm Over the Bay: The People of Corpus Christi and Their Port,” by Mary Jo O’Rear.

The phenomenal growth in the port over the past century is due to unity among the local leadership committed to its success – which in no small measure contributes to the economic success of the region.

The role of local geologists, demonstrated in the 1956 field trip report, which approached the study of natural resources beyond political boundaries, in this case into Mexico, and educators all played a critical role in the development of this economic engine.

Herb Canales is a fifth-generation Corpus Christi resident. He served as the city of Corpus Christi's library director for 27 years.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Geologists, educators played role in Corpus Christi port development