Copano, Texas
Encyclopedia
Copano, Texas or El Copano (Spanish) is a ghost town
on the northwestern shore of Copano Bay
in Refugio County. It is located 5 miles (8 km) north of present day Bayside
, on Copano Point. The port, which holds the distinction as the first in South Texas
, was founded in the early 18th century by the Spanish, and named for the Copane Indians
that resided in the area. Initially, it was used as a port by smugglers and pirates until 1785 when it was officially opened for use by the Spanish empire. The port was abandoned in the 1880s, following the settlement of the area following the Texas Revolution
. Ruins of the town-site can still be found, but are currently in danger of falling into Copano Bay.
After its founding, El Copano was a common port used by pirates and smugglers. In 1785, it was officially opened by New Spain
Viceroy
Bernardo de Gálvez y Madrid, Count of Gálvez
for entry into Texas. Around this time, a customhouse and freshwater tank were all that could be found on land, but the port was valued. General Juan Almonte
described it as the deepest port on the Texas coast during an 1834 inspection for Antonio López de Santa Anna
, and it was described as the "safest" on the coast, due to its protection by Copano Reef. Copano was also used by many Irish
emigrants from 1828 to 1835, many of whom landed at the port during their trek from New York
to the Irish colony of San Patricio
. At least 200 of these settlers died of cholera
upon arrival and were buried on Copano beach.
During the Texas Revolution
, the port was used by both the Mexican
and Texian
armies. General Martín Perfecto de Cos
of Mexico, entered at Copano en route to the missions at San Antonio
and Goliad
in September 1835. It was fortified by the Texians the following month, and used to transport food and supplies until it was captured by Mexican General José de Urrea
in March 1836. The Mexicans held on to the port until the end of the war, and used it to obtain reinforcements and send the injured and prisoners to Mexico. At the end of the war, several Mexican vessels, soldiers and supplies were taken by the "Horse Marines" led by Texian Major Isaac Burton and the Texas Rangers
.
and the Nueces River
as Empresario
s in 1825, to create an Irish and Mexican settlement. However in 1828, the settlement was restricted to only include the area between the Guadalupe River
and Lavaca. Although this restriction was reversed in 1829, land disputes with local citizens and hostilities between the Texians and Mexicans prevented any colonization attempts at Copano.
After signing the Texas Declaration of Independence
and winning Independence from Mexico, Power established a permanent settlement at Copano in 1836. The house of Joseph E. Plummer is believed to be the first of nearly a dozen homes that had been constructed, using oyster
shell concrete (shellcrete) obtained from Copano beach. Power was completing a two story house of his own at the site prior to his death in 1852. A school was established as well as a post office, which was used until 1864. Three wharves were built on the bayfront to accommodate traders contributing to the prosperity of the settlement; their primary goods included cotton, hides, and tallow.
, Copano continued to flourish, unlike other blockaded Confederate
ports, because of its location on a point, which allowed goods to be shipped without being noticed by the Union
forces. This came to an end in 1864, when a Union fleet anchored just off Copano, causing the settlers to leave for several days. After several failed attempts to build railroads to Goliad and San Antonio, and trouble maintaining a supply of freshwater, most settlers relocated to Refugio
. The abandonment was complete by 1888 after a wave of destructive hurricanes.
via watercraft. However, it is currently located on private property owned by the descendants of Empresarios. A historical marker was placed at the site in 1936, but was relocated 5 miles (8 km) south at Bayside Park, after nearly falling into Copano Bay during a 1978 storm. An archeological survey by the Bayside Historical Society was completed in 2005, and found a cistern
along with ten shellcrete homes on the edge of a cliff off Copano Bay. The study concluded that the ruins would soon fall into the bay, noting that the shoreline had receded 100 feet (30.5 m) since 1935. It is believed that the Plummer residence had already sank to the bottom of the bay. Copano, Texas is currently named as one of state's most endangered historical sites.
Ghost town
A ghost town is an abandoned town or city. A town often becomes a ghost town because the economic activity that supported it has failed, or due to natural or human-caused disasters such as floods, government actions, uncontrolled lawlessness, war, or nuclear disasters...
on the northwestern shore of Copano Bay
Copano Bay
Copano Bay is a northwestern extension of Aransas Bay, west of Rockport, Texas in Refugio and Aransas counties. It is supplied with seawater from the Gulf of Mexico via Aransas Bay, and fed freshwater from the Aransas River, Mission River and Copano Creek...
in Refugio County. It is located 5 miles (8 km) north of present day Bayside
Bayside, Texas
Bayside is a town in Refugio County, Texas, United States. The population was 360 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bayside is located at ....
, on Copano Point. The port, which holds the distinction as the first in South Texas
South Texas
South Texas is a region of the U.S. state of Texas that lies roughly south of and including San Antonio. The southern and western boundary is the Rio Grande River, and to the east it is the Gulf of Mexico. The population of this region is about 3.7 million. The southern portion of this region is...
, was founded in the early 18th century by the Spanish, and named for the Copane Indians
Karankawa
Karankawa were a group of Native American peoples, now extinct as a tribal group, who played a pivotal part in early Texas history....
that resided in the area. Initially, it was used as a port by smugglers and pirates until 1785 when it was officially opened for use by the Spanish empire. The port was abandoned in the 1880s, following the settlement of the area following the Texas Revolution
Texas Revolution
The Texas Revolution or Texas War of Independence was an armed conflict between Mexico and settlers in the Texas portion of the Mexican state Coahuila y Tejas. The war lasted from October 2, 1835 to April 21, 1836...
. Ruins of the town-site can still be found, but are currently in danger of falling into Copano Bay.
Port usage
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
Viceroy
Viceroy
A viceroy is a royal official who runs a country, colony, or province in the name of and as representative of the monarch. The term derives from the Latin prefix vice-, meaning "in the place of" and the French word roi, meaning king. A viceroy's province or larger territory is called a viceroyalty...
Bernardo de Gálvez y Madrid, Count of Gálvez
Bernardo de Gálvez y Madrid, Count of Gálvez
Bernardo de Gálvez y Madrid, Viscount of Galveston and Count of Gálvez was a Spanish military leader and the general of Spanish forces in New Spain who served as governor of Louisiana and Cuba and as viceroy of New Spain.Gálvez aided the Thirteen Colonies in their quest for independence and led...
for entry into Texas. Around this time, a customhouse and freshwater tank were all that could be found on land, but the port was valued. General Juan Almonte
Juan Almonte
Juan Nepomuceno Almonte was a 19th century Mexican official, soldier and diplomat. He was a veteran of the Battle of the Alamo during the Texas Revolution...
described it as the deepest port on the Texas coast during an 1834 inspection for Antonio López de Santa Anna
Antonio López de Santa Anna
Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón , often known as Santa Anna or López de Santa Anna, known as "the Napoleon of the West," was a Mexican political leader, general, and president who greatly influenced early Mexican and Spanish politics and government...
, and it was described as the "safest" on the coast, due to its protection by Copano Reef. Copano was also used by many Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
emigrants from 1828 to 1835, many of whom landed at the port during their trek from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to the Irish colony of San Patricio
San Patricio, Texas
San Patricio is a city in Nueces and San Patricio Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 318 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, San Patricio, located at , has a total area of 3.9 square miles , of which, 3.8 square miles of it is...
. At least 200 of these settlers died of cholera
Cholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking or eating water or food that has been contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person or the feces...
upon arrival and were buried on Copano beach.
During the Texas Revolution
Texas Revolution
The Texas Revolution or Texas War of Independence was an armed conflict between Mexico and settlers in the Texas portion of the Mexican state Coahuila y Tejas. The war lasted from October 2, 1835 to April 21, 1836...
, the port was used by both the Mexican
Mexican Army
The Mexican Army is the combined land and air branch and largest of the Mexican Military services; it also is known as the National Defense Army. It is famous for having been the first army to adopt and use an automatic rifle, , in 1899, and the first to issue automatic weapons as standard issue...
and Texian
Texian Army
The Texian Army was a military organization consisting of volunteer and regular soldiers who fought against the Mexican army during the Texas Revolution. Approximately 3,700 men joined the army between October 2, 1835 during the Battle of Gonzales through the end of the war on April 21, 1836, at...
armies. General Martín Perfecto de Cos
Martín Perfecto de Cos
Martín Perfecto de Cos was a 19th-century Mexican general. He was married to Lucinda López de Santa Anna, sister of Antonio López de Santa Anna.-Background:Cós was born in Vera Cruz in the year 1800, the son of an attorney...
of Mexico, entered at Copano en route to the missions at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
and Goliad
Goliad, Texas
Goliad is a city in Goliad County, Texas, United States. It had a population of 1975 at the 2000 census. Founded on the San Antonio River, it is the county seat of Goliad County. It is part of the Victoria, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area. Goliad is located on U.S. Highway 59, named also for...
in September 1835. It was fortified by the Texians the following month, and used to transport food and supplies until it was captured by Mexican General José de Urrea
José de Urrea
José de Urrea was a noted general for Mexico. He fought under General Antonio López de Santa Anna during the Texas Revolution. Urrea's forces were never defeated in battle during the Texas Revolution...
in March 1836. The Mexicans held on to the port until the end of the war, and used it to obtain reinforcements and send the injured and prisoners to Mexico. At the end of the war, several Mexican vessels, soldiers and supplies were taken by the "Horse Marines" led by Texian Major Isaac Burton and the Texas Rangers
Texas Ranger Division
The Texas Ranger Division, commonly called the Texas Rangers, is a law enforcement agency with statewide jurisdiction in Texas, and is based in Austin, Texas...
.
Settlement
James Power and business partner James Hewetson were granted the land between the Lavaca RiverLavaca River
The Lavaca River is a river in the U.S. state of Texas. It begins in the northeastern part of Gonzales County, and travels generally southeast for 115 miles until it empties into Lavaca Bay, which is a component of Matagorda Bay.-History:...
and the Nueces River
Nueces River
The Nueces River is a river in the U.S. state of Texas, approximately long. It drains a region in central and southern Texas southeastward into the Gulf of Mexico. It is the southernmost major river in Texas northeast of the Rio Grande...
as Empresario
Empresario
An empresario was a person who, in the early years of the settlement of Texas, had been granted the right to settle on Mexican land in exchange for recruiting and taking responsibility for new settlers. The word is Spanish for entrepreneur.- Background :...
s in 1825, to create an Irish and Mexican settlement. However in 1828, the settlement was restricted to only include the area between the Guadalupe River
Guadalupe River (Texas)
The Guadalupe River runs from Kerr County, Texas to San Antonio Bay on the Gulf of Mexico. The river is a popular destination for rafters and canoers. Larger cities along the river include New Braunfels, Kerrville, Seguin, Gonzales, Cuero, and Victoria...
and Lavaca. Although this restriction was reversed in 1829, land disputes with local citizens and hostilities between the Texians and Mexicans prevented any colonization attempts at Copano.
After signing the Texas Declaration of Independence
Texas Declaration of Independence
The Texas Declaration of Independence was the formal declaration of independence of the Republic of Texas from Mexico in the Texas Revolution. It was adopted at the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 2, 1836, and formally signed the following day after errors were noted in the...
and winning Independence from Mexico, Power established a permanent settlement at Copano in 1836. The house of Joseph E. Plummer is believed to be the first of nearly a dozen homes that had been constructed, using oyster
Oyster
The word oyster is used as a common name for a number of distinct groups of bivalve molluscs which live in marine or brackish habitats. The valves are highly calcified....
shell concrete (shellcrete) obtained from Copano beach. Power was completing a two story house of his own at the site prior to his death in 1852. A school was established as well as a post office, which was used until 1864. Three wharves were built on the bayfront to accommodate traders contributing to the prosperity of the settlement; their primary goods included cotton, hides, and tallow.
Decline
During the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Copano continued to flourish, unlike other blockaded Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
ports, because of its location on a point, which allowed goods to be shipped without being noticed by the Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
forces. This came to an end in 1864, when a Union fleet anchored just off Copano, causing the settlers to leave for several days. After several failed attempts to build railroads to Goliad and San Antonio, and trouble maintaining a supply of freshwater, most settlers relocated to Refugio
Refugio, Texas
Refugio is a town in Refugio County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,941 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Refugio County. Although the town's name is derived from Spanish, a vast majority of the town's residents pronounce it re-fury-oh. The Spanish pronunciation is...
. The abandonment was complete by 1888 after a wave of destructive hurricanes.
Remains
The ruins of Copano can be accessed from the shore of BaysideBayside, Texas
Bayside is a town in Refugio County, Texas, United States. The population was 360 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bayside is located at ....
via watercraft. However, it is currently located on private property owned by the descendants of Empresarios. A historical marker was placed at the site in 1936, but was relocated 5 miles (8 km) south at Bayside Park, after nearly falling into Copano Bay during a 1978 storm. An archeological survey by the Bayside Historical Society was completed in 2005, and found a cistern
Cistern
A cistern is a waterproof receptacle for holding liquids, usually water. Cisterns are often built to catch and store rainwater. Cisterns are distinguished from wells by their waterproof linings...
along with ten shellcrete homes on the edge of a cliff off Copano Bay. The study concluded that the ruins would soon fall into the bay, noting that the shoreline had receded 100 feet (30.5 m) since 1935. It is believed that the Plummer residence had already sank to the bottom of the bay. Copano, Texas is currently named as one of state's most endangered historical sites.