Articles

Jan

29

2026

Working on the Railroad: The Human Story Behind Boca Grande’s First Rail Line

By: James J. Blaha

While the history of Boca Grande’s railroad has often focused on commerce and industry, this article centers on the laborers who built the Charlotte Harbor & Northern Railroad and connected the island to the mainland. Drawing on historical accounts and surviving records, it seeks to restore humanity to the largely unnamed immigrant and African American workers whose efforts helped shape Boca Grande’s early growth.

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Jan

29

2026

A Matter of Public Record: How Deeds and Development Shaped Boca Grande

By: James J. Blaha

Drawing on Michael Ingram’s A Title Examiner’s History of Boca Grande, this article traces the island’s evolution through the deeds, abstracts, and public records that quietly documented its most significant transformations. From military reservation to modern residential development, Boca Grande’s southern shoreline reveals a history written not in headlines, but in land titles and recorded transactions.

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Oct

24

2025

The Notable Pets of 20th Century Gasparilla Island

By: James J. Blaha

On the tranquil shores of Gasparilla Island, pets have played unexpectedly prominent roles in community life throughout the 20th century. This article explores the stories of beloved dogs, cats and more unusual companions on the island - how they came to be part of families, bridged social circles among seasonal residents and locals, and helped shape the island’s unique character.

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