Community History

The island's history begins with its settlement by the Calusa Indians about 800 AD. The Calusa thrived for many centuries with an economy based on the wealth of fish and shellfish from the surrounding waters. But they proved no match for the Spanish conquistadors, who arrived in the mid-1500s.

By the middle of the 18th century, the Calusa had either died off or been absorbed by other Native American tribes.

Many decades passed between the height of the Calusa and the birth of modern Boca Grande. The island was reputedly a haven for pirates in the early 19th century. However, most 19th century settlers wre peaceful fishermen who established a small village on the north end of Gasparilla Island — about as far on the island as it is possible to get from the modern town of Boca Grande.

The watershed year in Boca Grande's history was 1905. Phosphate deposits, used for commercial fertilizer, had been discovered near the Peace River in Charlotte County. To get the ore to processing plants, a railroad was constructed between the mines and the harbor, with its end on Gasparilla. The Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad in 1907 ushered in the industrial period of Boca Grande.

For about 70 years, the island thrived from a combination of the phosphate industry and its growing tourism and recreational fishing economy. By the 1970s, the railroad closed and Boca Grande moved toward an economy based on leisure.

Nothing symbolizes the leisurely lifestyle of Boca Grande more than the island's favorite mode of transportation: the golf cart. While automobiles are allowed nearly everywhere in Boca Grande, golf carts get special privileges, and are often seen on both the roads and the island's extensive network of bike paths.

Interestingly, while the lower half of Gasparilla Island — including Boca Grande — is in Lee County, the northern section is part of Charlotte County!