USS Lexington
Also known as: Cv-16, Cva-16, Cvs-16, Cvt-16, Avt-16
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Why it's listed
USS Lexington (CV-16) is an Essex-class aircraft carrier berthed at Corpus Christi, Texas, where it operates as a museum. Launched in 1942 by Bethlehem Steel at Quincy, Massachusetts, it served in the Pacific from 1943 to 1945, taking part in nearly every major Central Pacific campaign except Okinawa. It received battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation. After the war the ship was modernized in 1953-55 with an angled flight deck, an enclosed bow and steam catapults to handle jet aircraft, and later served for nearly thirty years as the Navy's aviation training carrier until 1991. Although its outward appearance changed, about 90 percent of the crew and machinery spaces remain as built in 1943. Only four Essex-class carriers from the war years survive, and Lexington is one of them. The nomination treats it as an important example of carrier design and of naval aviation's growth into the Navy's main strike weapon.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues Lexington is nationally significant for taking part in almost every major Pacific naval campaign from 1943 to 1945, earning many decorations. It also illustrates Essex-class carrier design and the rise of aviation as the Navy's primary strike weapon. It had the longest service record of the surviving Essex carriers, 1943 to 1991, with nearly thirty years as the Navy's training carrier.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 03001043, listed July 31, 2003. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | USS Lexington Museum on the Bay, 2914 North Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi |
|---|---|
| County | Nueces County |
| Listed | July 31, 2003 |
| Reference number | 03001043 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1943-1945 |
| Architect / builder | Bethlehem Steel Company, Quincy Massachusetts |
| Architectural style | Other: Essex-class aircraft carrier |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated July 31, 2003 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Operated as a floating museum (Recreation and Culture/Museum); a 2001 fire damaged the navigation and flag bridges, which were closed to the public during restoration. |
| Coordinates | 27.81546, -97.38909 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 03001043.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q1423093
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.