Lighthouse keepers and their families lived and worked in the lighthouse, and in an adjacent assistant lightkeeper's house from 1890 until 1951. The U.S. Coast Guard automated the light in 1956. Ten years later, in 1966, the Coast Guard removed the light from the building which was deteriorating due to neglect and beach erosion. In 1972 Lee County took over ownership of the lighthouse and surrounding 13 acres, and began a long process to save the old building.
The lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Then in 1985-86 the island property owner's association, the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association, funded total restoration of the lighthouse with help from the State of Florida and local citizens. The lighthouse was re-commissioned in 1986 as a working Coast Guard light. In 1988 the lighthouse and surrounding acreage were transferred from Lee County to the State of Florida and became Gasparilla Island State Recreation Area.
In 1989 a small group of local citizens formed the Barrier Island Parks Society, a non-profit, all volunteer citizen support organization for the state park. Ten years later the building was opened to the public as the Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum.
At the time of my visit here in 2001, this was an active light.
2 comments:
What a gem!
I wonder if they serve refreshments on the verandah? That would be pleasant.
Hi Richard; It is a beautiful environment and the refreshments would be easily enjoyed out there. Unfortunately, when I was there I only had water to drink.
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