Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum

Port Boca Grande LighthouseBoca Grande, Florida: The oldest building on Gasparilla Island, the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse has been guiding ships through the waters of Boca Grande. The lighthouse was almost lost to Mother Nature before an effort led by local citizens restored the lighthouse to its original splendor.

Built on the southern tip of Gasparilla Island, the lighthouse marks the entrance to Charlotte Harbor via the Boca Grande Pass. The lighthouse was placed into service on December 31, 1890. The complex consisted of a two story wooden lighthouse on stilts with a three and a half order Fresnel lens at the peak of the roof along with a second building for the assistant keeper.

The lighthouse keepers and their families lived on the complex until 1956 when the light became automated. Then in 1966 the United States Coast Guard decommissioned the lighthouse due to deterioration.

A local effort began in the early 1970’s to help restore the lighthouse. The lighthouse was transferred to Lee County in 1972. The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association then worked to get the lighthouse placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and then helped to secure funding for the renovations. The restoration efforts led to the lighthouse being returned to service as a navigational aid in 1986.

In addition to the rich history of the lighthouse, the complex is shrouded in ghostly legends as well. There are two tales of ghosts that are believed to still live here. The first is believed to be the daughter of one of the lighthouse keepers who passed away due to illness. She is believed to still be heard playing on the second floor of the lighthouse.

The second ghost story is much more cinematic. It goes back to the days of Spanish conquistadors and Jose Gaspar, the namesake of the island. The legend goes to say that Gaspar kidnapped a Spanish princess and brought her to the island. When she rejected his love, he cut her head off. He buried her headless body on the beach while continuing to carry her head with him in his travels. The legend is that the headless princess still walks the beach in search of her head.

In 1988, the lighthouse was transferred to the State of Florida and is now part of the Gasparilla Island State Park. Today visitors can tour the lighthouse and museum to learn about the history of the lighthouse and Boca Grande.

For photos of the lighthouse and the park, visit my Gasparilla Island State Park photo gallery.

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