Gasparilla Island Lighthouse was originally built in the 1880’s to serve as the Delaware Breakwater Rear Light.  It was moved and reconstructed in 1927 two miles north of Port Poca Grande Lighthouse. It was first lit in 1932.  The lighthouse was automated in 1956.

   The foundation is iron steel piles.  The construction is wrought iron.  The tower shape is skeletal.  The height is 105 feet.

     The lighthouse was deactivated in 2014.  It was renovated and the light was switched on in 2018.

  The lighthouse was place on.the National Register of Historic Places

     

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.

     Boca Grande first railroad station was a wooden frame structure.  In 1910, It was replaced by a more impressive structure

     The Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Depot is a historic Railroad Station in Boca Grande, Florida. It is located at Park and 4th Streets. The southern end of the depot was built in 1910. An addition in 1913 brought the total length of the building to 141 feet. The depot was 2 stories.  The style is was Mediterranean Revival.  The facade is painted brick. There are corbels, arches and a red tile roof. The railroad executives had their offices on the second floor. They welcomed visitors and clients.

     After 1958, the depot went into decline.  By the 1970’s, it was in poor condition.  In 1985, an island resident Wayne Stevenson carried out renovatioms.  The depot is now carefully restored.  It contains the Loose Caboose Restaurant and several shops and offices.

     The railroad depot was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 13, 1979.

     The Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad  serviced Gasparilla Island and a major shipping port in the area.    Its main purpose was to transport phosphate from mines along the Peace River and Bone Valley to a 70 foot channel at the mouth of Charlotte Harbor off Gasparilla Island Southern shore.  A secondary role was to transport tourists to Boca Grande.  The railroad was in service from 1907 to 1925.  In the 1920’s, the line was acquired by the Seaboard Airline Railroad.  The line continued to be use for passengers and transport of phosphate.  The line diminished service until the 1950’s when it was discontinued.     Part of the line is still in service between Mulberry and Acadia. This is owned and operated by CSX Transportation.

     There is a bicycle path in Boca Grande called the Boca Grande Bike Path.  It is  a 6.5 mile path on Gasparilla Island.   The northern portion runs on the former right of way of the former Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad.

This historic church is located in Boca Grande, Florida

This historic church is located in Boca Grande, Florida      The First Baptist Church of Boca Grande is located at 421 4th Street West.  The congregation was founded in 1909.  In its early history, the congregation met outdoors, services led by traveling ministers.   From 1911 to 1912, the building commission was formed.  Construction was financed by a loan from the Southern Baptist Missionary Board and donations by the congregation.  Building was completed in 1915.  The building style was balloon frame carpenter gothic style.  The bell in the church tower was a locomotive bell donated by the Seaboard Railroad.        In 1928, the building was enlarged for Sunday school classrooms.  In 1934 a parsonage was built.   The church building  is the oldest one on Gasparilla Island.      In 2009, the church building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

This building is located in Boca Grande, Florida

This Catholic Church is located in Boca Grande, Florida      Prior to the construction of this church in 1949–1950,  Roman Catholic services were held in local hotels.  Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy was built due to a gift of Mrs. Gertrude Hill Gavin.  The architect for the project was F. Burrall Hoffmann, Junior.  The style was old Spanish Mission.   The church is located at 240 Park Avenue, Boca Grande, Florida.