Boca Grande Historical Society

Boca Grande Historical Society The BGHS's purpose is to collect and document island history and educate the community by bridging the past to our contemporary society.

The Boca Grande Historical Society, a 501(C)(3) not for profit organization, was founded in 1995 as an outgrowth of efforts by a small group of residents to celebrate the sesquicentennial of Florida's achievement of statehood in 1845. The Society views local and regional history as a dynamic process that provides a basis for an enhanced understanding of how the past has contributed to the present.

Thank you to all of the brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. God bless them and our Coun...
05/25/2026

Thank you to all of the brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. God bless them and our Country.

The small town of Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island, at the mouth of Charlotte Harbor, has a unique past. Over time, comm...
05/21/2026

The small town of Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island, at the mouth of Charlotte Harbor, has a unique past. Over time, commercial and recreational fishermen, the phosphate industry, the railroad and wealthy visitors from northern states have all left their mark on the island's history.

619 likes, 44 comments. "Boca Grande, Florida: Island Jewel | Untold Stories | Florida History"

nThe president of the Izaak Walton Club, Useppa's private fishing club, poses with a giant tarpon in 1914. Courtesy of t...
05/18/2026

n
The president of the Izaak Walton Club, Useppa's private fishing club, poses with a giant tarpon in 1914. Courtesy of the Gasparilla Inn.

In case you missed the Annual Grande Tradition event honoring Johns Knight Jr. and Johns Knight Sr., you can watch it on...
05/15/2026

In case you missed the Annual Grande Tradition event honoring Johns Knight Jr. and Johns Knight Sr., you can watch it on the Boca Grande Historical Society YouTube page.

Born and raised in Boca Grande, few professionals can boast the extensive, multi-generational background of Johns Knight Jr, whose family ancestors settled i...

05/08/2026

From all of us here at the Boca Grande History Center, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you for an amazing season!

In 1927, the lighthouse was reassembled and installed on Gasparilla Island just south of the town of Boca Grande by the ...
05/01/2026

In 1927, the lighthouse was reassembled and installed on Gasparilla Island just south of the town of Boca Grande by the U.S. Lighthouse Service. After reassembly and a fresh coat of white paint, it was rechristened the Boca Grande Entrance Rear Range Lighthouse. However, it remained dark until 1932, when a 4th order Fresnel lens was installed and lit on January 1, 1932. The light was not manned, but continuously maintained by the Light Keepers of Gasparilla Island Light Station, better known as Port Boca Grande Lighthouse.

The Boca Grande historical Society will be closed for repairs on Friday, April 24. We are sorry for any  inconvenience....
04/24/2026

The Boca Grande historical Society will be closed for repairs on Friday, April 24. We are sorry for any  inconvenience.  we will reopen on Saturday, April 25. 

Here's a vintage shot of the Depot building. Any guess as to what year this was taken?
04/20/2026

Here's a vintage shot of the Depot building. Any guess as to what year this was taken?

Address

240 Banyan Street
Boca Grande, FL
33921

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+19419641600

Website

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