Boca Grande Historical Society & History Center logo- Bringing History to Life - Celebrating 25 Year Anniversary
  • Facebook
  • Become a Member
  • Donation & Memorial
  • View Cart
  • Login / Member Area
  • History Center & Archives
    • Visit the History Center
    • History Center Hours
    • Historical Overview of Boca Grande
    • Island Regional Histories
    • On Site Collections
    • Online Collections Database
    • Archival Services
    • Fun & Games
  • Events
  • Timeline
  • Videos
  • Reading List
  • Store
    • Books
    • DVDs
    • Map Reproductions
    • Historic Photographs
    • Tickets
  • About
    • About BGHS
    • Hurricane Ian Updates
    • Meet the Executive Director
    • Board of Directors
    • Our Members
    • Our Sponsors
    • Volunteer
    • President’s Report
    • Photos
    • Facebook Photos
    • Tributes
    • Useful Links & Resources

The First Settlers

  • Historical Overview of Boca Grande

    • The First Settlers
    • The Fisherfolk
    • Sport Fishing
    • Mining for Phosphate
    • Boca Grande & Gasparilla Island 1890-1905
    • The Grand Plan: 1905-1912
    • Boom Town: 1912-1930
    • Boca Grande’s Hey Day: 1930-1958
    • A Period of Decline 1958-1979
    • The New Boca Grande: 1979-Present
Map of La Florida

Florida emerged from the sea about 40 million years ago. During the last 3 million years, sea levels rose and fell over thirty times. Gasparilla Island in its present location is not more than 3500 years old.

People began utilizing the island’s resources about 2000 years ago. Archaeological sites found here date from circa AD 300 to the Seminoles of the 1830s.

Calusa Artifact

These early people later became known as the Calusa. They hunted, fished, collected shellfish from the bay, caught turtles on the beach and collected plant food. Most, like today, were seasonal residents, though some may have lived here year round.

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

The Europeans brought the shock of totally alien culture, epidemic diseases, and slavery. By the mid 1700s the Calusa Indians had vanished from the area. Other Indian groups fleeing from the north arrived and occupied the area, formerly used by the Calusa.

join BGHSEnjoyed this Content? Support us by Becoming a Member!

  Annual membership benefits from January to December.

  10% off all items in our store

  Priority notification of events, dates and topic

Become a Member

Find us on: Facebook

  • Become a Member
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
Boca Grande Historical Society Logo

Boca Grande Historical Society
History Center & Book Shop

Winter Hours
Mon – Fri: 10 AM – 4 PM
Saturday & Evening Hours Vary
For more information call or email us.

View Special Hours

P.O. Box 553 / 170 Park Ave.
Boca Grande, Florida 33921-0553

(941) 964-1600
info@bocagrandehistoricalsociety.com

Stay Up-To-Date with BGHS Activities

Sign up to receive our e-mail updates.

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY CH#6860, MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352, OR VISITING www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Charities. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. TAX ID #65-0585091. 100% OF ALL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE USED ENTIRELY BY THE BGHS.

back to top