Black History Month

Dear Friends,

Black History Month gives us an opportunity to pause, reflect, and recognize the individuals and families whose lives, labor, and traditions helped shape our island community.

At the Boca Grande History Center, we are honored to preserve the deep roots of Black history here in Boca Grande. From the men and women who worked in homes, hotels, churches, and businesses, to those whose daily efforts powered the island’s maritime economy, their contributions are essential to understanding who we are.

At the south end of the island, Black workers played a vital role at the phosphate docks. Much of the phosphate mined in Central Florida’s Bone Valley arrived by rail to massive storage bins and loading facilities here before being transferred onto ships bound for ports around the world. By the 1940s, this busy industrial area was known as Port Boca Grande.

Black history is Boca Grande history.

We invite you to visit the History Center this month to explore photographs, archives, and exhibits that help keep these important stories alive. By understanding the fullness of our past, we build a stronger, more connected community for the future.

Thank you for helping us preserve and share our island’s heritage.

Warm Regards,
Board of Directors
Boca Grande Historical Society