Guaranty Title Company

The Guaranty Title Company  is distinctly related to the Whataburger Company only because they are both in relation to business practices. Although the Guaranty Title Company is long gone, they are still connected by providing financial benefits and growth to Corpus.

Braodway Bluff Improvement

During the City Beautiful Movement, an engineer named Alexander Potter had turned a 40-foot high natural 'bluff' separating downtown and uptown and into the focal point of the city. I found this interesting because it is very beautiful and if I could I would like to go and visit this.

Project

I used a website to complete this project. It was not difficult, just time consuming and a little confusing especially when trying to navigate to the process of building the website but other then that everything is good.

History Project URL: http://whataburgerhistoryprojectchs.weebly.com/

Website?

My collection of my research seems to be going well, but I am still having a few bumps here and there, especially in regards to the interview. I haven't been able to get anymore since then, unfortunately. Because of that I am focusing more and more on the history of it.

I am also unsure in whether or not to do and exhibit board or a website...at the moment, I am leaning towards the exhibit board but I lack the resources to get it and an shying away form the website because I am unsure on how to make it or how much to put on it. I know my history teacher does NOT  want an essay and frankly I don't want to write one, but I am unsure on how much he wants. More text or more visual?

 As of now, I am just going to see if I can find a good balance of the two and be as straight to the point as possible.

Plane Crash

After I went to the library earlier this week, I found something Interesting as I was going through my notes. Mr. Harmon Dobson, the co-Founder of Whataburger Co., died on April 11, 1967, which left his wife and widow, Grace, to take control over the of the business. I found this sad and interesting.

Whataburger HQ

I recently found out that Whataburger's HQ moved headquarters in the 1950s from Corpus Christi, TX to San Antonio, TX in 2009. Preston Atkinson, Whataburger's president and chief operating officer told Corpus's Caller Times that (as quoted, they "...  made this decision because we wanted to be more centrally located to the other nine states in which we do business and we wanted to minimize impact from hurricanes."

I could help but feel kind of bad because it caused a  nearly 250 job losses and a $15 million payroll. I feel that if Whataburger's HQ stayed, the city would be benefiting much more.

 Old Headquarters here in Corpus on 1304 Alameda Street.

 

 

 Whataburger HQ in 2009, preparing its move to SA.

 

                                            Whataburger HQ Offices in San Antonio, TX.

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Definitey an Ugh Moment...

Besides my previous interviews, I have not been able to have another interview with anyone as of late. Its really frustrating but definitely understandable. I don't know if it is the way I approach them or if they just don't want to be bothered but either way I can still emphasis with them as I wouldn't want anyone to bother me when I'm eating anyway. Although I do try to avoid approaching them during their meals and when they are conversing, they still make me feel like I'm being a pest to them, even if I only ask once. Older customers seem to be more forthcoming and approachable then others around my age...well I guess if I cant get another interview then Ill focus on the Historical part of this project.

Wish me Luck...I'm going to need It.

Then and Now

These two photo's that I found interesting were in the book I had mentioned earlier on pages 1-4 in the introduction. I found these pictures interesting because they show how much the company has expanded throughout the years and as grown into a Texan empire.

Found a Book!!!

I found a book called 'WHATABURGER : A Tale of a Texas Icon'. It cover's all of Whataburger's history up until the 2000s. Its very informative and details on the origin of the company and on-from what I have read so far- Mr. Dobson, one of the co-owners of the company. This book and another article I found earlier would pretty much cover up the historical context of my topic, but only to the business itself.

A Visit yo the Central Library

Thirty minutes into my search for anything about the history of the Whataburger Company I couldn't find anything at all.  Look Ed in the vertical files and reference section and I have yet to find anything. hopefully I can in the next hour....

Interviews

Well I interviewed a couple of people, whose names I will not disclose per personal request, so I will use fake names to post this. I interviewed three people, Maria, Walter, and I guess we'll go with Luke because I cant think of anything else.

In my interview(s) with these people, were able to tell me just what they thought and liked about the restaurant other then the obvious. They all recalled child hood, memories and experiences here and
no matter how small or insignificant they may say it was, they all connected in some way. They all felt that Whataburger Co. was a family place to eat, a place to hang out after a successful baseball game or a place to have birthday parties,and the likes. Although there was only three interviews, with-- hopefully more to come--, they all shared a sense of homely unity and, for the lack of a better word,  familiarity.

Preparations and Concerns

Well first off, in beginning this project I need to gather not only some historical information about the foundation of the company but I have to get some personal insight from the customers that like to eat there and by doing so I need to conduct some interviews. Researching this topic may or may no be an 'arduous' thing to do. Yes there are numerous restaurants in the city but that still doesn't mean that people will be willing to talk to me when they are eating. I don't know if they would take to kindly at me intruding in their 'comfort zone' and I really dot want to invade their space. So hopefully when I start my interviews, I be able to approach any forthcoming customers...and  I really hope I don't get kicked out of the place either..

Problems...Problems..Problems

I am having trouble seeing if I can go to a nearby Whataburger, my mom doesn't want to come with me nor does she want me to go out either. Is really frustrating. I told her that I need to in order to do this project but I cant, so I guess I am on house arrest for these few days unless she changes her mind. Hopefully she does, and soon.

An Interview with Anne

On  night, May 3rd, I interviewed Anne at the Buccaneer Parade and asked her why and how often she came. She told me that she comes every year with her family because of not only tradition but also as a way to bring the family together for a night of fun. I also asked her about the importance of the Buc Days to both the community and it's significance to corpus history. After taking a moment to think about the question, she replied with the comment on unity in the community. She said the the importance of Bud Days was not just the obvious financial gain, but the livelihood that the community shared as a whole durning this event.  It was important in history because, throughout the years, it remained a enormous social event is that in many ways. And after hearing that, I couldn't help but agree.

Scavenger Hunt: Local Courthouse

On our Scavenger Hunt, my partner, Lorena and I, went to the city's courthouse on what I believe not be Leopard Street. Our courthouse acts as a local court of law and can be in some cases, seen as the regional county government. The Courthouse's function is-or can be- divided between a judicial and an administrative building as it officiates marriage certificates and other important documents as well as impending the law.

Topic: Whataburger Inc.

Hello, my name is Amanda and I am currently working on a local history project. My goals in researching this topic to to find the emotional and environmental impacts that this corporation has on our city's society. I want to investigate the underlining reasonings why (some) people keep going to Whataburger, other than for the obvious reasons.