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.

Phosphate was transported down the Peace River to Charlotte Harbor in barges where it was transferred onto ocean-going ships near the deep water of Boca Grande Pass.

Lee & Desoto counties carved out of Monroe (Lee) and Manatee (Desoto) counties, splitting Gasparilla Island into two separately governed areas, with Desoto County to the north and Lee County to the south.

The American Agricultural Chemical Company incorporates in Connecticut; acquires controlling stock in Peace River Phosphate Mining Company.

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

Walter Gault built The Gasparilla Fishery and Ice Plant, located on the mainland at Placida, FL in 1945 (he began shipping fish overland by truck).

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.

Purchased from Roger Amory

Boca Grande Light & Power company is terminated.

Published six days a week

Anthony Spadaro inherits all properties deeded to Boca Grande Inn, Inc. and is elected president of the corporation.

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

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.

CSX acquires tract (Boca Grande Hotel Properties) from sharp; Sharp received the railroad right of way north of First Street

David Futch & Robert Galloway receive permission from Frank Oliver to name new newspaper the “Gasparilla Gazette”; (slogan: “More Stuff; Less Fluff”)

Power House rebuilt by CSX Corporation and turned into community center for residents of Boca Bay.

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).

Charlotte County approves ordinance to adopt a small scale plan amendment to the development of the Fishery property (13000 Fishery Road).