Corsicana is a city in and the county seat of Navarro County, Texas, United States. It is located on Interstate 45, 50 miles southeast of Dallas. Its population was 25,109 at the 2020 census. Corsicana is considered an important agribusiness center.
History
left|thumb|Pioneer Village in [[Beauford H. Jester Park in Corsicana]]
Founded in 1848, Corsicana was named by José Antonio Navarro after the Mediterranean island of Corsica, the birthplace of his father. He had died when Navarro and his many siblings were young. The first school opened shortly afterwards in 1849.
Women's groups have had a strong role throughout the history of the city. They established the Corsicana Female Literary Institute, a school that operated from 1857 through 1870. The first public library in Corsicana opened in 1901 by effort of the women's clubs of the city. A 1905 library matching gift by Andrew Carnegie gave the library a permanent home and its first full-time, professionally trained librarian. The library today is housed in a dedicated building downtown and boasts more than 52,283 books, 6,306 audio materials, 783 video materials, and 122 serial subscriptions.
The Corsicana YMCA was founded in 1884, and has grown with patron funding. In its earliest days, it was supported by George Taylor Jester (1847–1922), a wealthy dry-goods and cotton distributor, banker, store clerk and politician. He served as lieutenant governor of Texas (1895–1899), and his son Beauford H. Jester served as governor (1947–1949).
Oil was accidentally discovered in June, 1894, by the American Well and Prospecting Company, hired by the Corsicana Water Development Company, when oil seeped into an artesian well being drilled within the city limits. In October 1895, the first commercial oil well was drilled by the Corsicana Oil Development Company, founded by Ralph Beaton, H.G. Damon, and John Davidson. It was the first commercially significant oilfield find in Texas. A refinery was in operation by January 1899, through the efforts of Joseph S. Cullinan. The Powell oil field was discovered in 1900, a few miles east of Corsicana. Rotary drilling, used to drill water wells, was introduced to the oil industry by M.C. Baker and C.E. Baker, with tools manufactured by the American Well and Prospecting machine shop, owned by N.G. Johnson, E.H. Akin, and Charles Rittersbacker.
During World War II, an airman flying school called Corsicana Air Field trained thousands of pilots.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is covered by water.
Corsicana is home to the Lake Halbert dam and recreational park, and is less than 15 mi (24 km) from Richland Chambers Reservoir, with recreational fishing, public boat ramps, and of tree-lined and green shorelines. Richland Chambers Reservoir is the third-largest lake by surface area and the eighth-largest reservoir by water volume in Texas.
Climate
Corsicana has a moderate humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) with long, hot summers and short, mild winters.
Corsicana precipitation averages per year. Leafy oak, pecan, magnolia, and walnut trees are common, and grasses grow tall and green. Rain is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, with small, wetter peaks in May and October.
| source =
| Jan mean F = 46.0
| Feb mean F = 49.9
| Mar mean F = 57.0
| Apr mean F = 64.4
| May mean F = 72.7
| Jun mean F = 80.2
| Jul mean F = 84.1
| Aug mean F = 84.5
| Sep mean F = 77.9
| Oct mean F = 67.2
| Nov mean F = 56.0
| Dec mean F = 48.2
| Jan avg record high F = 76.4
| Feb avg record high F = 80.0
| Mar avg record high F = 83.8
| Apr avg record high F = 87.2
| May avg record high F = 92.0
| Jun avg record high F = 96.6
| Jul avg record high F = 101.3
| Aug avg record high F = 102.8
| Sep avg record high F = 99.5
| Oct avg record high F = 92.1
| Nov avg record high F = 83.3
| Dec avg record high F = 78.2
| year avg record high F = 104.0
| Jan avg record low F = 20.9
| Feb avg record low F = 24.4
| Mar avg record low F = 29.0
| Apr avg record low F = 37.8
| May avg record low F = 48.2
| Jun avg record low F = 61.7
| Jul avg record low F = 68.2
| Aug avg record low F = 66.6
| Sep avg record low F = 53.4
| Oct avg record low F = 39.3
| Nov avg record low F = 28.4
| Dec avg record low F = 23.0
| year avg record low F = 17.8
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Corsicana had 25,109 people, 8,752 households, and 5,643 families residing in the city. The median age was 34.1 years. 26.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 89.3 males age 18 and over.
96.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 3.2% lived in rural areas.
There were 8,752 households in Corsicana, of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 42.0% were married-couple households, 17.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 33.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
! Race
! Number
! Percent
|-
| White || 11,268 || 44.9%
|-
| Black or African American || 4,885 || 19.5%
|-
| American Indian and Alaska Native || 234 || 0.9%
|-
| Asian || 248 || 1.0%
|-
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 664 || 2.6%
|-
| Some other race || 4,106 || 16.4%
|-
| Two or more races || 3,704 || 14.8%
|-
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 8,836 || 35.2%
|}
2010 census
As of the census
Of the 8,490 households, 28.8% had children under 18 living with them in 2010, 48.6% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were not families. About 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.64, and the average family size was 3.21.
In the city, the population was distributed as 27.3% under 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,203, and for a family was $33,078. Males had a median income of $27,516 versus $19,844 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,001. About 17.4% of families and 22.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.4% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.
The housing stock in 2007 consisted of 12,313 houses and condominiums. About two-thirds were owner-occupied, and one-third rented. Wolf Brand Chili, a national brand named for the owner's pet wolf, Kaiser Bill, started in 1895 as a downtown by-the-bowl lunch wagon. Wolf Brand Chili was made in Corsicana until 1986. Corsicana is best known as the home of the Collin Street Bakery, which has been making fruitcakes since 1896.
Today's economy no longer relies on oil and gas. Major employers include Russell Stover Candies and Collin Street Bakery, Guardian Industries (glass), Corsicana Bedding, and Kohl's distribution centers, Navarro Regional hospital (160+ beds), Trinity/Mother Francis Health System, and the Texas State Home. There are several 24/7 pharmacies, grocery stores and chain department stores scattered about the town. College Park Mall is an enclosed shopping mall that primarily houses a clothing store.
Corsicana was the home of Tradewest, a coin-arcade and video game company founded in 1986. Tradewest was known for publishing such Nintendo Entertainment System classics as "Double Dragon" and "Battletoads". Tradewest was acquired by WMS Industries in 1994, becoming Williams Entertainment briefly before becoming Midway Home Entertainment in 1996 after the spin-off of Midway Games. The Corsicana offices were closed by Midway in late 2002.
Schools
thumb|left|The Richard M. Sanchez Library at [[Navarro College]]
Corsicana is home to Navarro College, which offers associate degrees and is also a satellite facility of Texas A&M University-Commerce, through which students can receive bachelor's and graduate degrees. Navarro College came to international prominence in 2020 owing to its dominant coed cheerleading team, which was featured that year in the Netflix docuseries Cheer. centering on the team's preparation for the National Cheerleaders Association national championships in Daytona Beach, Florida. The cheerleading squad is currently coached by Monica Aldama, who, since 2000, has led the Bulldogs to 14 championships in their division, as well as five "Grand National" designations (for the highest overall score in competition that year).
The Corsicana Independent School District (CISD) has an enrollment over 6,500 students. Five CISD schools have been lauded by the Texas Education Agency (TEA): Bowie, Fannin, Carroll, and Navarro Elementary Schools and Drane Intermediate School all achieved "recognized" status.
Collins Middle School and Corsicana High School were rated "academically acceptable" by the TEA. The CISD received Academically Acceptable status from the state.
Corsicana also has one private school, James L. Collins Catholic School, for kindergarten through eighth grade. Founded in 1953 by a bequest from its namesake benefactor, the school today has an enrollment of 270 students.
thumb|upright|[[Maceo Demond Baston]]
Notable people
- James B. Adams, lawyer, Texas legislator, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Monica Aldama, cheerleading coach
- Aaron Allston, science-fiction novelist
- Maceo Baston, professional basketball player
- Mary Brian, silent film era movie star (1906–2002)
- Danny Colbert, football player
- Cottrell Laurence Dellums, organizer and official of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (1900–1989)
- Lefty Frizzell, Country Music Hall of Fame singer and songwriter (1928–1975)
- Tyree Glenn, trombone player, (1912–1974)
- Allyn Gordon, watercolor artist (1909–1978)
- John Hardee, jazz saxophonist (1918–1984)
- Julie Haus, a.k.a. Julie Ann Hoeinghaus, fashion designer
- Skip Hicks, former NFL running back for the Washington Redskins
- Omarius Hines, NFL wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens
- V. E. Howard, Church of Christ clergyman, founder of radio International Gospel Hour; married in Corsicana in 1931
- Herschel Ray Jacobs (American Football), NFL Denver Broncos & Miami Dolphins 1963-1969
- Beauford Jester, governor of Texas 1947–1949, (1893–1949)
- Wesley Johnson, basketball player in the NBA.
- John Larry Kelly, Jr., scientist and mathematician (1923–1965)
- Danzell Lee, football player
- Danieal Manning, NFL defensive back for the Houston Texans
- Roger Q. Mills, U.S. Senator (1892-1899), U.S. Congressional Representative (1873-1892), and Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee (1887-1889)
- James C. Neill, politician, soldier in the Texas Revolution, Alamo commander
- David "Fathead" Newman, jazz saxophonist (1933–2009)
- Shirlene Pearson, Little Women: Atlanta star
- Billy Joe Shaver, Texas Country Music Hall of Fame singer and songwriter
- Martha Simkins, painter
- Spice 1, rapper
- Herold J. Weiler (1886–1945), United States Army officer who served as Chief of the National Guard Bureau 1935-36
- Cameron Todd Willingham, controversially convicted of triple murder and arson; executed (1968–2004)
- Louis Vasquez, NFL Guard, San Diego Chargers, Denver Broncos (Super Bowl)
- David Hawthorne, NFL linebacker, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills
References
External links
- City of Corsicana
- Corsicana/Navarro Chamber of Commerce
- Corsicana YMCA
- Texas Outside: Richland Chambers Reservoir