History of TSA
Night Pic of TSA
    1969
    • The Junior League of Corpus Christi and the local Jaycees form a coalition creating the Gulf Coast Zoological and Botanical Society whose purpose would be to build the local aquarium.

    1975
    • Members of Leadership Corpus Christi Alumni join in support of the project.

    1978
    • Organization's name changes to the Corpus Christi Aquarium Association to encourage local enthusiasm and support.

    1979
    • Junior League donates $50,000 to launch project.

    1983
    • Building fund increases to over $1 million, led by a $350,000 grant from the Earl C. Sams Foundation in Corpus Christi.

    1984
    • The Brown Foundation of Houston awards a $1.5 million challenge grant to the project.

    1985
    • The Texas State Legislature designates Corpus Christi's proposed aquarium the "Official Aquarium of Texas."

    1986
    • Name changes to Texas State Aquarium Association (TSAA).
    • TSAA purchases 6.3 Acres of land on the southern tip of Corpus Christi Beach
    • Local voters approve a $4.4 million bond issue for the improvement of public properties surrounding the site.

    1987
    • A four-phased master plan is initiated. Corpus Christi Downtown Reinvestment Zone invests $10 million and the Housing Finance Corporation Invests $500,000.

    1988
    • A $3 million investment from the Houston Endowment moves the project from the design stage to final plans and ground breaking
    • Construction begins in September

    1990
    • The Texas State Aquarium (TSA) opens its Gulf of Mexico Exhibit Building to the public on July 6, 1990.

    1993
    • TSA becomes a federally-permitted animal rehabilitation facility.

    1995
    • TSA becomes accredited with the AZA, American Zoo & Aquarium Association.
    • TSA celebrates its 5th anniversary with a Willie Nelson Concert.
    • Education outreach expands with the launching of the mobile exhibit Ocean in Motion.
    • Turtle Bend opens featuring several of the TSA's rehabilitated sea turtles.

    1996
    • Otter Space opens in Conservation Cove featuring North American River Otters.
    • TSA receives Mutual of America's Outstanding Public-Private partnership Award for the television show, Wonders Under the Sea.

    1997
    • TSA receives the Munson Aquatic Conservation Exhibitry Award from AZA for Ocean in Motion.

    1998
    • TSA holds first Beach Ball Gala featuring the Beach Boys.
    • TSA adopts a special exhibit plan and opens Jellies: Floating Phantoms.
    • Coastal America, a partnership of 13 feder departments and the office of the President, designates TSA as a coastal Ecosystem Learning Center.

    1999
    • TSA presents second special exhibit, Swamp Tales, featuring Roscoe the white alligator.
    • Interpretive Walkway opens.

    2000
    • TSA opens third special exhibit, Seahorse Seatopia
    • TSA introduces Dollar Day, a local program designed to increase acessibility to families throughout the City.
    • Teacher workshops become registered with the State Board for Educator Certification.

    2001
    • TSA breaks ground on Dolphin Bay, the largest expansion since the Grand Opening, with over $10 million in private donations raised.
    • Stingray Flats and Texas Trails open.

    2002
    • TSA opens fourth special exhibit, Oddysea.
    • Kids' Port playground opens
    • Dolphin Bay fundraising reaches $14.7 million and TSA successfully completes the requirements of a $750,000 Kresge challenge grant.

    2003
    • Dolphin Bay opens to rave reviews as the city welcomes "Kimo" and "Sundance."
    • Environmental Discovery Center opens, featuring an expanded Weston's Library, the Blanche Davis Moore Family Learning Center, and the Flint Hills Resources Distance Learning Studio.
    • TSA tops off the year with Beach Ball 2003 starring Chicago.

    2004
    • TSA wins the 2004 Conservation and Environmental Stewardship Award for Public Awareness from the Coastal Bend Bays Foundation.

    2005
    • TSA celebrates 15th anniversary year with the opening of its fifth special exhibit, AMAZON.
    • Two new Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins, "Cobie" and "Shadow", join Dolphin Bay.

    2006
    • TSA introduces newest exhibit, Living Shores,which interprets the Laguna Madre.
    • "Kai" and "DJ" join "Cobie" and "Shadow" in Dolphin Bay.
    • "Naiya" the anteater enters AMAZON.
    • Highest attendance since 1993.

    2007
    • TSA earns accreditation from the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums for Dolphin Bay.
    • Wild Flight soars at TSA. The first phase of a three-year renovation is complete with the opening of the Hawn Wild Flight Theater.
    • New otters, Gwen and Odie, make their home at TSA.
    • TSA begins extensive renovations of sea turtle exhibit.