Portals of Paradise – A Boca Grande Timeline

Over 12,000 years of indigenous Native American culture disappeared within 200 years after first contact with the Spanish explorers in the 1500s.

U.S. War department recommends that Gasparilla Island and part of Cayo Costa become a military reserve.

Set up at north end of Gasparilla Island by captain Peacon from Key West (“peekin’s cove”).

Captain W.H. Johnson and Will Johnson sailed from Punta Gorda to Gasparilla Island and became the first pilots for the area.

W.M. Truax employed to teach at Boca Grande School for $2.50 per pupil; no building provided by school board; building provided by citizens until 1908.

Bradley Fertilizer Works of Massachusetts buys a controlling interest in Peace River Phosphate Company.

Bradley family organizes the A.A.C.Co, America’s first fertilizer conglomerate; high grade phosphate rock discovered near the town of Mulberry in Polk County.

Captain I.W. Johnson, a Harbor Pilot and his brother W.H. Johnson take up residence in South Boca Grande.

1906-1913 A.A.C.Co. increase their holding in the south by purchasing several well-established fertilizer plants.

New plat for Boca Grande filed in Lee County revising the street layout of the town site and adding a wide street named Gulf Boulevard.

Red Gill Fish House built on a long dock at the end of First Street (1926 became part of Whidden’s Seafood Market).

Black workers begin moving into area to work in shipyard, train yard, and fishing and building industries as well as serving as maids, gardeners, and caretakers for wealthy families.

Fourth Street and East Railroad; L.M. Fouts & Sons Bankers

Automated phosphate loader at Port Boca Grande in full operation

Enlargement designed by renowned architect Francis J. Kennard of Tampa

so that the school could qualify to be a junior high school

Worked for Ch & N as a laborer

Less than 6 interior lots sold

“the big mouth yacht club”

Now Community Center

Group of Island residents signed a State of Florida document stating “We the undersigned citizens of Boca Grande, Florida, do hereby enlist in the Service as Fireman under the authority of the Local Defense Council of Lee County…”

Effective Date: May 24, 1943 – Florida Governor Holland appoints B.O. Bylaska, Jefferson Gaines, and D. O. Fugate as members of the Boca Grande Fire Control Board

Roger Amory purchases theatre building, and as Health Clinic Secretary, he made a gift of full stock in the “San Marco Movie Theatre” on Park Ave. to benefit the Health Clinic.

channel; over sand bar in Gulf just west of Boca Grande Pass

FPL builds a berth for ships at Port Boca Grande and storage facility for incoming oil.

Remaining children bussed to public schools off-island.

Closed in 1967 and the movies were transferred to the Community Center.

Becomes Outlet at Innlet in 2001

Under a special bill passed by Florida legislature, Boca Grande school deeded to community as Community Center; Women’s Club and GICIA enters into agreement with Lee County Board of Commissioners to jointly fund the restoration and development of the property.

Interstate Commerce Commission rules in favor of abandonment of railroad.

Nicknamed the “Little Colonel”, last surviving member of family of 8. Came to Boca Grande in 1921. Well known charter boat captain and guide.

Bancflorida of Naples files lawsuit seeking foreclosure on the Boca Grande Causeway toll bridge owned by Gaspar, Inc.

University of Florida conducts study to examine the “carrying capacity” of Boca Grande in an effort to determine present and future needs of Gasparilla Island.

Currently 18 Full Time Firefighters

First Gasparilla Island Kids’ Tarpon Tournament; Captain Sandy Melvin; Boca Grande Charities, Inc.

GICIA embarks on fundraising campaign to raise funds to purchase 30 acre Mercabo property (next to causeway entry).

Cookie Potter-Feinberg and Jay Feinberg purchase 18 acre Fishery property; proposes marina oriented village and marina.