Knowledge Tests

Mr. Homer Addison built the building in which the Temptation is housed before the war, but was called to serve in the Navy before completing it. Upon returning home in 1945 he began to add to it, expanding to serve meals in the dining room and the bar where beer, wine and soft drinks were served. Finally in 1949 a liquor license was granted. Homer Addison considered the place unique and had business cards saying “What a sensation to wine and dine at the Temptation”. Everybody partied down here. In the Temptation I had juke boxes and a piano and people dancing in there every night until two or three in the morning.” Addison. Frank and Marty Smith bought the bar and grill and package store in 1960 from Homer and Dora Addison.

Located in Hotel H on SE Railroad Avenue. This is where one could get permanent waving, hair tinting, and styling done. Marion Merrot formerly with Bonwit-Teller, Fifth Avenue, New York arrived to work at Blonnies for the 1949 season.

Bumps was a wine and beer bar located at the Port of Boca Grande. It was the only bar at the port where one could also rent fishing poles and one could call Bumps for a taxi. The owner was Captain Kingsmore “Bumps” Johnson.

Black men and women (mostly men) came from all over Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and other southern states. They primarily worked as railroad laborers, dockworkers, fishermen, construction workers, domestic help, and various service occupations at resort accommodations.

There were ultimately 3 Black communities:
(1) railroad housing (quarters) at the south end of the Island
(2) downtown Boca Grande around Palm Avenue and Third Street, and
(3) Tarpon Pass Estates (South end of Island).

For a more detailed description of each community, call the archive department at the Boca Grande History Center 941-964-1600.

The Rosenwald Schools were built in the early 20th Century as a solution to the scarcity of schools for Black children in the South. The school building program was the idea of educator Booker T. Washington who approached Julius Rosenwald, the president of Sears, Roebuck and Company. The result stimulated the building of over 5,000 schools. In 1927, a school for Blacks was built and located near the railroad yard separated from other housing. The school closed in 1965 and later was destroyed by a fire.

Florence Jelks: The ‘principal with principles’. Born and raised in “South Dock” she was very well known as one of the kindest, smartest women to walk the island. She had to leave the island to pursue her high school degree in 1947, first in Fort Myers and then Arcadia, because at that time black children did not attend Boca Grande High School. With the help of Mrs Crowinshield and a Lewis State Scholarship she received her degree and became a teacher, principal, and coordinator of a federal-state work program which gave students work experience by providing them with summer jobs. Collier County honored her as one of 10 women who had made valuable contributions to her community.

Bull Bay is a famed saltwater fishery located on Florida’s Gulf Coast just south of Placida, Florida and right around the corner from the west wall of Charlotte Harbor. Fishing in Bull Bay for Redfish, Snook, and Seatrout leaves lasting memories. Mr. Futch was a commercial fisherman with two crews, one black and one white. John Bull, a Black, was the man in charge of the Black crew. He died on the Bay and thus the bay was named after him.

The “Kitchen” was named because of that cove’s early use as a stopover point for commercial fishermen. Non-indigenous fishermen who anchored there to camp and prepare their meals gave it the name. Prior to that time the area was charted as Grouper’s Hole.

According to David Futch, Delmar Fugate’s Folly all the way across town was a white elephant. Delmar disagreed. The Pink Elephant had a nice ring to it especially since the only paint on sale at the hardware store was pink and he had just covered the building outside walls with the color. And so was born one of the most famous bars and restaurants on the west coast of Florida.

Clyde and his wife, Carolyn, owned this island landmark located at the corner of Fourth and Park Avenue for nearly four decades. In 1963 Clyde and Carolyn were looking for a means of making a living. The opening of the bridge meant more cars which would need fuel and repairs so owning a service station seemed to be a good choice. It was sold by Nabers in 1999 to Boca Grande Partners, Inc., a corporation owned by three island families and named Island Auto Service. The Nabers service station brings wonderful memories to many Boca Grande residents. Memories include: stopping by for popcorn, coffee get togethers, team sponsorships, and Clyde coming to the rescue for emergency car repairs.

While other islanders set off for New England or the Midwest for the summer, Pat and Chuck Agles would fly to the Orient in search for unusual crafts and art work for their Asian art gallery. It was a wonderful place to shop for silk, wool and cotton fabrics, jewelry, handbags, furniture, paintings, and shoes. For several years they had an Asian restaurant and a natural foods grocery store. Chuck and Pat were one of the first founders of The Boca Grande Historical Society.

Mr. and Mrs. Earl Heverly opened up their new restaurant at Third Street and East Railroad Avenue March 1980. Having stayed in a house named “Sheer Folly” while vacationing in Jamaica Mrs. Heverly thought she would use the name some day for something and the 34 seat restaurant seemed to be a natural. It was opened 6 days a week from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. with take out orders provided until 3 p.m. In 1982, newlyweds Sue and Jay Spurgeon bought the business renaming it Loons on a Limb. Their friends thought the Spurgeons were crazy as Loons to go out on a limb and open a restaurant on a small isolated barrier island. When the Spurgeons opened up the restaurant there were only five restaurants on the island. Former customers still rave about Jay’s eggs benedict, fried potatoes and corned beef hash. It was the place to go for breakfast. Loons was sold in 2008.