Scope Note:

Boca Chica is Spanish for "Small Mouth"

Geographic Location:

U.S. Highway 1 crosses key at approximately mile markers 6.5--8 , east of Key West.

References:

So named on chart (I 743). DeBrahm chart (1772) shows Fitzherbert Island. Gauld Chart (1775) shows "Cayo Samba or Sambo Key." Cayo Samba on Blunt Chart (1846). U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey chart #169 (1878) shows Boca Chica. Gerdes, in his"Reconnaissance of the Florida Reefs and All the Keys," (1849) states: "Boca Chica Id. or Sambo."