History of Memorial Coliseum
Memorial Auditorium (the name was later changed to Memorial Coliseum) was dedicated on September 26, 1954. The Caller-Times article describing the program said: “Memorial Auditorium will be dedicated in ceremonies to be held at the auditorium at 4:30 p.m. today. The dedication will climax a three-day convention here of the Gold Star Mothers, who will unveil a memorial plaque bearing the names of 400 Nueces County men and women who died in World War II.”
Memorial Coliseum, designed by Richard S. Colley, is an architecturally significant building of mid-century modern style which was originally part of a civic center complex that included two parks, the city hall, an exposition hall and the Memorial Auditorium.
The roof contains 260 tons of structural steel in a lamella space frame, an innovative roof structure that allowed for the barrel-shaped 224-foot unsupported span, which was the world’s longest when it was built. In 1952, the use of a steel in the lamella roof design of Memorial Coliseum attracted excited attention of the international architectural community, garnering awards and acclaim for both the architect and the city of Corpus Christi. The lamella arch is an extremely stable structure, so no scaffolding was needed after the first section was put in place.
The diversity of events held in Memorial Coliseum is a reflection of the diversity of interests in Corpus Christi. In 1955, Eleanor Roosevelt spoke to the women's groups of Corpus Christi; in 1956, Elvis Presley performed to a sold-out crowd of 6000 frenzied teenagers! Selena recorded her live album in Memorial Coliseum in February 1993. The Selena memorial, La Mirador de la Flor, is a few steps north of Memorial Coliseum on the Bayfront Promenade.
