In October, 1888, the U.S Congress authorized $35,000 to build lighthouses around Charlotte Harbor. In the extreme southern end of Gasparilla Island, the Port Poca Grande Lighthouse was built in 1890. The lighthouse is a one story structure supported by pilings. It is painted white with green shutters. There is a square tower protruding through the center of the hipped roof. On the top of the tower is and octagonal lantern room that protected the 3 1/2 Fresnel lens. The lantern room is black. 70 feet away from the lighthouse is an almost identical structure minus the tower. This was the residence for the assistant lighthouse keeper.