The Notable Pets of 20th Century Gasparilla Island

George Eliot, famous novelist, poet, and one of the leading writers of the Victorian Era, said that “Animals are such agreeable friends – they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.” The love and adoration of pets on Gasparilla Island is testimony to Eliot’s assessment of why humans adopt pets as members of their families. An observer who strolls through downtown Boca Grande on a sunny day will often note that many residents and visitors are accompanied by at least one pet. An exchange of pleasantries which focuses upon the pet(s) becomes the modus operandi of ensuing discussion.

Without a doubt, Gasparilla Island and Boca Grande are havens for pet lovers; however, the island has also experienced some unique challenges regarding pets. For example, an article from the MiamiHerald published on March 26, 1971 described the losing of a pet seal. According to the article, “A young seal appeared at the beachfront home of R.S. Pierpont (Boca Grande). It followed Mrs. Pierpont’s grandchild around mournfully complaining. Arthur A. Houghton, who is experienced in matters of this kind, began a search for the owners of the animal. He found them by telephone. They were at the Keys and told him the seal’s name is Tinkerbelle. Houghton tried the name out on Tinkerbell, and she was so overjoyed she stopped complaining and began eating.”

One of the more unusual “pets” on Boca Grande was reported in the Tampa Bay Times (December 12, 1941). The article featured comments about two “pet” tarpons. The reporter indicated that tame tarpons were kept in a pool in front of one of the local inns on Boca Grande and “… grew large enough to make some really big jumps”and that they would sometimes jump out of the pool. The article concluded, “One would think they have wings, the way they leap in the air.”

Many articles have been written about the pros and cons of maintaining lizards as pets. Pet lizards (iguanas) were released into the wild starting in the 1970s. Initially, the iguanas were an attraction for tourists; however, it was soon discovered that the iguanas started to damage the foundations of homes and buildings, in addition to destroying landscapes. Since iguanas can run at least over 20 miles per hour, it has been difficult to eradicate them.

An article in the Fort Myers News Press (December 23, 2004) argued that the most successful way to eliminate iguanas was to kill them and suggested that “Capturing them for pet adoption risks spreading these devastating pests to other areas.” One suggested solution is to kill them for consumption; however, several solutions have avoided the killing of iguanas. For example, in 2004, over 50 volunteers from the Scales & Tails Exotic Pet Rescue proposed conducting a search and rescue mission to place iguanas as pets in new homes.

Horses have also been part of the Boca Grande pet environment. In fact, some of Boca Grande’s residents were horse breeders. C.W. Engelhard, millionaire industrialist and owner of the Boca Grande estate named Pamplemousse, was the owner of a horse named Nijinsky. Nijinsky was an English Derby winner who was worth at least $5.44 million.

The Boca Grande Hotel (1931-1969, demolished in 1972) maintained stables and horses for hotel clients. One of the prominent and charitable families on Boca Grande were the Crowninshields. Their Boca Grande home (Las Olas) included a riding stable. Mrs. Crowninshield’s favorite horse was named Montana, and the horse could be seen bathing in the Gulf while being watched by the Crowninshields’ chauffeur.

Frank B. Crowninshield, professional yachtsman and painter, and a member of Teddy Roosevelt’s “Rough Riders,” was often seen riding on his favorite horse along the beaches of Boca Grande. One account stated that “Everybody spends mornings on the beach. And every morning Frank Crowninshield would come tearing by with his horse running away with him … and the only way he could slow it down was to ride out into the waves of the Gulf. When he wanted to stop by a group of people and visit his neighbors, he’d have to pull and haul the horse out into the water and then slow it down. You might say, every time he stopped to say, ‘Good morning’ that Frank C. came by sea.”

Cat owners can rightfully boast of the love and affection that cats can bring to them; however, wild cats have more than once created challenges on Gasparilla Island. On February 26, 1956, the Fort Myers New Press reported a cat-shooting campaign on Boca Grande. Although not verified, it was reported that a man was employed to shoot cats, earning $1 for each killed cat. Denying those payments had been made or that no household pets had been harmed, an observer said that some of the wild cats had been eliminated.

In 1957, 42 cats were captured on Boca Grande by the Humane Society. Sometimes, however, the best plans can go astray. In 1961, cages placed in various places on the grounds of the Boca Grande Hotel to capture wild cats instead caught at least 20 raccoons, which were shipped to an uninhabited island where they could cavort endlessly. Also, an event known as “The Great Raccoon Roundup” was implemented on Boca Grande in order to discourage residents and visitors from feeding these invasive creatures.

Dog owners abound on Boca Grande, and special breeds are the norm. As a former cat and golden retriever dog owner, I can testify that it was a very sad and unforgettable day when our golden (age 14) was “put to sleep” as I held him in my arms in our garden while the vet administered the appropriate drug. In an article written by Delores Savas and published in the Boca Beacon (December 24, 2022), it was reported that “Long before the island had a dog parade, there was the sight of ‘Little Joe’ Camano and his dog Taffy. He was a popular resident on the island for 73 years. Joe could always be seen with Taffy. They were inseparable.”

Karen and Jim Grace, former owners of the iconic Temptation Restaurant, owned a Newfoundland dog, which led to being invited by the Houghton family who also owned two Newfoundland dogs, resulting in all three dogs being bathed and groomed by a mobile groomer who would visit the Houghton family on a regular basis. Boca Grande also has had a biannual dog parade and show in which the proceeds are donated to the Suncoast Humane Society. An advertisement for a former Woman’s Club dog show proudly proclaimed, “Come one, come all to the Boca Grande Woman’s Club very posh dog show, ‘Puttin’ on the Dog.’”

In the past, wild dog packs also presented a challenge to Gasparilla Island. For example, in 1972, the Fort Myers News Press reported that “There were at least three packs of wild dogs near the community. Two packs are near the oil docks. No one claims those dogs. The third pack is on the community’s north side. A stray dog was killed … the dog attempted to attack … and was shot. The dog seemed to be foaming at the mouth. Residents of Gasparilla Island, stay away from wild or stray animals, keep your own pets indoors.”

One of my favorite Boca Grande dog stories can best be appreciated by the following headline which appeared in the Fort Myers News Press(March 13, 1925): “Trains held up for dog to make triumphal entry into Boca Grande.” Another related headline appeared in the Tampa Times (March 10, 1925) proclaiming, “Woman dashes 100 miles for blue ribbon terrier,” and a subtitle stated “Michael, pride of Boston Kennels, reaches Boca Grande after dismal experience in wrong baggage car.”

Evidently, a resident and social leader of Boston and her husband were traveling to Boca Grande by train. They were accompanied by their blue-ribbon prize-winning dog named Michael. Unfortunately, Michael was placed in the baggage car. When the train reached Plant City, Fla., the Pullman car in which the dog owners were riding was switched onto the Charlotte Harbor and Northern tracks and proceeded on to Boca Grande, while the baggage car was attached to a train bound for Sarasota.

When this potential tragedy was discovered, telegrams were sent to appropriate officials and places; Michael was located in Sarasota. After sharing their feelings and opinions with railroad officials, the dog’s owners, who were waiting in a car on a flatbed drawn by a special electric car received word that Michael was rescued from the baggage car and sent back towards Boca Grande. According to the Tampa Times article, “The chief dispatcher of the Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad had held back one passenger train and two lengthy trains of phosphate rock in order that the right of way over the trestle might be kept clear for the triumphal entry into Boca Grande of the blue-ribbon Michael with his fatigued but joyful master and mistress.” Robert Louis Stevenson once said “You think those dogs will not be in heaven! I tell you they will be there long before any of us.”