Sharon L. Rogers, Ph.D., ABPP, psychologist

1001 Ayers

A Historical Overview

Dr. Sharon L. Rogers opened her private practice in clinical psychology in 1985 and for many years occupied offices on Shoreline Boulevard. Her desire to move her practice to an older residential type space resulted in the purchase of the house at 1001 Ayers in December 2000. During 2001 Dr. Rogers and her associate Terri England researched the history of the home and acquired old photographs, renovated the structure and reopened for business in the new space on January 2, 2002.

The present office is located in the historic Del Mar addition in Corpus Christi. In 1925 area businessmen purchased 200 acres of land to build the city’s first large-scale south side residential area, their initial excavations revealing training trenches dug by soldiers of Camp Scurry during World War I. Business development in the Del Mar area was centered around what is now called Six Points and both areas experienced their greatest period of expansion in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s. At the time, retail businesses at Six Points offered an alternative to shopping in downtown Corpus Christi. In 1946 the local bus service, Nueces Transportation Company, established a bus stop between Staples, Alameda and Palmero streets and the area thrived as a hub of transportation until the late 1950’s.

The earliest known photograph of the house at 1001 Ayers (originally spelled “Ayres”) is dated December 23, 1939 and was taken by local photographer and chiropractor Doc McGregor. Businesses in the area already included Six Points Grocery, Busy Bee curb service grocery store, McCord Lumber Company, Limerick’s Food Store, Tower Theater, the art deco-styled Medical-Dental Building and Six Points Bowling Lanes in Center 6 mall.

Businesses established in the 1940’s included Price’s Chef, Alameda Pharmacy, Jitney Jungle grocery, Tower Pharmacy, Tower Appliances, Six Points Hardware, Del Mar Drug Store and the Del Mar Barber and Beauty Shoppe. During the 1950's Cage’s Hardware, Roosevelt Baker, Red’s Barber Shop, Jack English Men’s Clothing and South Texas Heating and Air Conditioning opened their doors. A Texaco station was located at the corner of Ayers and Alameda where Eckerd’s Drug Store is now.

The Ayers house was initially purchased by a local oil man in 1940 then sold to another family in 1942, remaining their private residence until 1971. Photographer Doc McGregor and his wife were close personal friends of the family and Dr. Rogers acquired several of his interior and exterior photographs from a family member. Originally the house was white with red shutters. Interior doors were fitted with glass or metal knobs over art deco styled escutcheon plates and remain intact today. Bay breezes provided “air conditioning” and the east side of the home sported a sun parlor framed by a trellis and Italian cypress trees. In the 1950’s front porch columns were removed and replaced with wrought iron posts and handrails and during the late 1960’s cream-colored vinyl siding was installed. The first story sun parlor was also enclosed, enlarged and raised to the level of the main house. Between 1973 and 2000 the house was occupied by several businesses, including a book bindery, medical transcription service, MRI and allied health services, orthopedic brace company and attorneys’ offices.