Boca Chica Village, formerly Kopernik Shores, Texas, Cameron County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

In the spirit of the late 19th and early 20th Century land promotion schemes, Kopernic Shores (named after the astronomer Copernicus) was advertised in print and radio ads in Polish. Some 2,000 investors reportedly bought lots here - sight unseen. Considerably fewer people actually moved in to the 32 houses that were built.

The town, billed as the "next Fort Lauderdale" had to have water trucked in from Brownsville and although it was incorporated, a Cameron county judge ruled it invalid. Today it exists as a sort of first generation Polish colonia.

Today
"Kopernic Shores is now called Boca Chica Village. Just like the sign says. And there are only about 5 Polish descendents that own house's here. There are only 6 of us ( English, Norwegian, Irish, American Indian etc. ) people that live here all year long. So please help us spread the word that this village is Called Boca Chica Village." - Sincerely Terry Heaton, February 09, 2008

Suggested for inclusion by Steve Cruse, The Woodlands, Texas
Source: On the Border, Tom Miller, Ace Books, 1982

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