Boca Chica State Park

Infobox_protected_area | name = Boca Chica State Park
iucn_category =

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caption =
locator_x = 190
locator_y = 218
location = Cameron County, Texas
nearest_city = Brownsville
lat_degrees = 25
lat_minutes = 59
lat_seconds = 49
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 97
long_minutes = 9
long_seconds = 6
long_direction = W
area = 1054.92 acres
established = 1994
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Boca Chica State Park is a Texas state park located in the Boca Chica Subdelta of the Rio Grande River near Brownsville, in southeastern Cameron County, Texas in the United States. The park was acquired and opened in May 1994.

History

The area, was granted by the State of Tamaulipas to Ygnacio Trevino on January 24, 1829, as part of the Potrero de San Martin Grant. (Brazos Island was granted separately and earlier by the King of Spain.) A road was built down Brazos Island, across Boca Chica Bay to the Rio Grande in 1846. To cross Boca Chica Bay, General Zachary Taylor built a floating bridge to transport military supplies. Some of the cypress pilings still stand north of a monument.

In 1846, General U. S. Grant crossed here returning from the fighting in Mexico. In 1847, Robert E. Lee crossed the tract similarly several times. On September 6, 1864, Colonel H. M. Day and troops marched from Brazos Santiago across Boca Chica Bay to White's Ranch opposite Burrito (Tamaulipas), attacked Confederate forces under Captain Richard Taylor, and forced their retreat to Brownsville. On September 9, Lieutenant Showalter attacked federal forces at Palmito Hill. Colonel Day, and a Mexican force drove them back again to Brownsville. On May 11, 1865, 250 Union soldiers marched down Brazos Island, across Boca Chica Bay, and joined 50 more troops at White's ranch. The next day 190 Confederate forces met again at Palmito Hill, and the federal troops were driven back to Boca Chica Bay. On April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, but word did not reach Brownsville until May 18. Thus, the battles at Palmito Hill were the last of the war.

Activities

Activities permitted on the adjacent Del Mar and Boca Chica Beach include picnicking, wading, swimming, birding, natural history observation, camping, fishing (with a license), and surfing. All are subject to disruption by offshore storms at any season and from June through November by tropical storms and hurricanes.

Gallery

ee also

*List of Texas state parks