Unique
and refreshing, a top quality historic bed & breakfast Inn.
Each
of the six charming guest rooms are named
after the children of George and Alice Blucher, and furnished
with antique country and French furniture, with interiors
designed in warm and appealing earth tones.
When
venturing out for supper, if wanting fine dining, we were recommended The
Yardarm Restaurant, located at 4310 Ocean Drive, and open
Tues. - Sat. from 5:30 to 10 p.m., which we didn't have a chance to
try. If looking for casual dining, check out Country Cajunnear
the U.S.S. Lexington. It has the best catfish and hushpuppies we have
tasted so far this side of the Mississippi River. We chose the catfish
without the cajun spice. Nestled
on a bluff, the George Blucher House Bed and Breakfast
exudes a classic grace and elegance of yesteryear. As you enter
the gate entrance surrounded by antique roses, the towering magnolia,
pecan, and oak trees sway gently in the breeze, alive with the sounds
of birds. You can imagine the clear view to the Bay that the Blucher
family had from the front porches of their two-story Queen Anne house
prior to the expansion of the downtown area.
The Innkeeper, Tracey Love Smith, has done an exceptional job of renovating
the historic 5,000 square foot house (one of the oldest in Corpus Christi)
to its' former glory in every detail, with original hard pine flooring and
glass windows, and adorned throughout with vintage antiques. The front
door even has an old style doorbell that rings when turned. Her talents
are equally impressive in the kitchen as we would find.
Each room has a different color scheme, and is adorned with country
and French antique wood furniture pieces. The upstairs rooms have private
porch areas for relaxing in a hammock or Adirondack chairs for views
of the Inn courtyard or Blucher Park across the street.
Our downstairs
room, the Jasper Room, has a stately purple interior, with a side window
that provided us views of the bird bath and koi pond and the courtyard.
Each
room comes equipped with cable television, modem phone lines, climate
control, and a private bath. Our room had a stained glass window
and upper windows for plenty of natural light in the bathroom. In the
evening, you will find your bed turned down, with a Texas praline treat.
You'll want to take a soothing private
bath (the Arthur room includes a whirlpool) and then put on a relaxing
robe provided to all guests.
Located
just across the street is Blucher Park, known for
the wide variety of exotic birds which come here during spring (especially
during April and early May) each year on their way to South America,
along with the thousands of international birdwatchers seeking to catch
a glimpse of them. The area has atmospheric conditions which causes
the birds to land here, and is a popular stop along the Texas Coastal
Birding Trail. Butterflies of many varieties and hummingbirds are also
seen in the area.
An
impressive gourmet breakfast is served daily, complete with lighted
candles, linens, fine china, and silverware, around a large dining
table, where guests can become friends. One couple
we met was celebrating their fifteenth wedding anniversary. Our breakfast
consisted of a baked pineapple, covered with nuts and cinnamon, sausage
links, an egg and cheese souffle (fresh eggs are from chickens in the
back of the property) , and fresh apple and peach pastries. The next
day's breakfast consisted of fresh croissants, stuffed with layers
of smoked ham, eggs, and a cream cheese spread. On top of it all were
fresh blueberries, strawberries, oranges, all sprinkled with powdered
sugar and toasted almonds (photo above). Included also is fresh squeezed
orange juice, fresh brewed coffee, or tea.
A complete gourmet feast to enjoy,
you can be assured that you won't be seeking where to have lunch afterwards.
The menu will vary depending on what gourmet dish that Tracey cooks
up, with all made fresh daily in the kitchen, and served on her great-grandmother's
china.
Within the downstairs areas, there is library, filled with Easton Press
classics and local Texas history, with a vintage piano, writing table,
and memorabilia adorning the walls. Adjacent to it is a sitting room,
with coal- fired fireplace and several antiques. Several paintings
line the walls, with many painted by the Innkeeper's great-grandmother.
Just up the stairs, is a small refrigerator for guests, with microwave,
coffeemaker (for early risers), equipped with coffee, tea, and ice.
Down the hall, there is also a small chapel for quiet reflection and
spiritual time.
George
Blucher, who built the house in 1904 for his family, owned the Lone
Star Ice Factory, and purchased the first bicycle and automobile (a
1901 Oldsmobile) in the area. Next door, his brother Charles
built his house many years earlier in 1880, which is today being
used as a Blucher Museum (check with the Innkeeper for hours) and headquarters
for the local Junior League. Next door to it is another Blucher house,
which was built by his brother Richard in 1901. George's father,
Anton Felix von Blucher, arrived here from Germany in 1849, settling
on the bluff, initially in a small rustic homestead, in an area that
became known as Blucherville. Some of the furniture that first arrived,
including a rose wood piano, wouldn't fit in the house and had to sit
under a large shade tree. The pioneer Blucher would be instrumental
in the early growth of Corpus Christi, serving as a land surveyor,
designer, painter, language translator (he could speak six languages),
and would serve in the Mexican and Civil War. During the Civil War,
he was a Major of Artillery for the Confederate Army. To discover more
about the fascinating history of the Bluchers, get the book,
Maria
Von Blucher's Corpus Christi: Letters From the South Texas Frontier,
1849-1879
and the limited edition book, The Texas Bluchers, by Blucher Verlag.
The
Inn has served as host for many weddings, offering an elegant and
romantic setting. The courtyard and Inn is also perfect for luncheons,
small parties, and meetings.
The grounds are landscaped with many
flowers, antique roses, plants, with a koi pond, birdbath, and an
area for an evening fire.
Be sure to visit
the Innkeeper's antique shop to the right of the courtyard area,
with vintage furniture and unique items available for purchase.
The Inn is located at 211 N. Carrizo, close to the Nueces County
Courthouse and the Corpus Christi Public Library, and just across
from Blucher Park.
We
would like to thank the Innkeeper, Tracey Love Smith for making
our stay in Corpus Christi special for our features.
For reservations, email,
call
toll-free 1-866-884-4884
, or visit them here.
Each room has a different color scheme, and is adorned with country
and French antique wood furniture pieces. The upstairs rooms have private
porch areas for relaxing in a hammock or Adirondack chairs for views
of the Inn courtyard or Blucher Park across the street. 
Our downstairs
room, the Jasper Room, has a stately purple interior, with a side window
that provided us views of the bird bath and koi pond and the courtyard. 
Located
just across the street is Blucher Park, known for
the wide variety of exotic birds which come here during spring (especially
during April and early May) each year on their way to South America,
along with the thousands of international birdwatchers seeking to catch
a glimpse of them. The area has atmospheric conditions which causes
the birds to land here, and is a popular stop along the Texas Coastal
Birding Trail. Butterflies of many varieties and hummingbirds are also
seen in the area. 
An
impressive gourmet breakfast is served daily, complete with lighted
candles, linens, fine china, and silverware, around a large dining
table, where guests can become friends. One couple
we met was celebrating their fifteenth wedding anniversary. Our breakfast
consisted of a baked pineapple, covered with nuts and cinnamon, sausage
links, an egg and cheese souffle (fresh eggs are from chickens in the
back of the property) , and fresh apple and peach pastries. The next
day's breakfast consisted of fresh croissants, stuffed with layers
of smoked ham, eggs, and a cream cheese spread. On top of it all were
fresh blueberries, strawberries, oranges, all sprinkled with powdered
sugar and toasted almonds (photo above). Included also is fresh squeezed
orange juice, fresh brewed coffee, or tea. 
George
Blucher, who built the house in 1904 for his family, owned the Lone
Star Ice Factory, and purchased the first bicycle and automobile (a
1901 Oldsmobile) in the area. Next door, his brother Charles
built his house many years earlier in 1880, which is today being
used as a Blucher Museum (check with the Innkeeper for hours) and headquarters
for the local Junior League. Next door to it is another Blucher house,
which was built by his brother Richard in 1901. George's father,
Anton Felix von Blucher, arrived here from Germany in 1849, settling
on the bluff, initially in a small rustic homestead, in an area that
became known as Blucherville. Some of the furniture that first arrived,
including a rose wood piano, wouldn't fit in the house and had to sit
under a large shade tree. The pioneer Blucher would be instrumental
in the early growth of Corpus Christi, serving as a land surveyor,
designer, painter, language translator (he could speak six languages),
and would serve in the Mexican and Civil War. During the Civil War,
he was a Major of Artillery for the Confederate Army. To discover more
about the fascinating history of the Bluchers, get the book,
The
Inn has served as host for many weddings, offering an elegant and
romantic setting. The courtyard and Inn is also perfect for luncheons,
small parties, and meetings. 
Be sure to visit
the Innkeeper's antique shop to the right of the courtyard area,
with vintage furniture and unique items available for purchase. 