The History Of Gasparilla Island

Although Gasparilla Island got its name from the alleged notorious pirate Jose Gaspar, it was first inhabited by the Calusa Indians around 800-900 A.D. The Calusa people congregated around Charlotte Harbor and established hundreds of fishing villages. A dynamic people, the Calusa Indians were hunters and anglers who lived and worked in sync with the island's environment. Researchers have identified nine Indian sites on the island where fishing hooks, arrowheads, and pottery were discovered. 

Jose Gaspar was said to have intimidated the residents and fishermen of the ocean of West Florida in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, calling himself "Gasparilla" due to his short stature. The legend continues its tale with an epic battle after Gaspar attacked an undercover United States Navy ship, upon which the Navy defeated Jose Gaspar and his band of pirates. The pirate "Gasparilla" story led to a yearly celebration in his name, started in 1904, and held in Tampa in February. Locals dress as pirates, arrive on a ship, invade the land, and take the city. A celebration follows, with a parade escorting King Gasparilla and his Queen to the exclusive club that hosts the festival. At the same time, fake gold coins and jewelry are distributed amongst the cheering crowds. 

Phosphate rock, a natural fertilizer in demand worldwide, was discovered in 1885 along the banks of the Peace River near Punta Gorda. The promise of abundant phosphate rock led to the development of a major deep-water port at the south end of Gasparilla Island. This would eventually lead to the creation of the town of Boca Grande. Interested in the prospect of fertile waters, wealthy British and American sports fishermen claimed Charlotte Harbor's rich bounty of world-class game fish (namely Tarpon). Thus, Boca Grande became a destination for the elite due to the prospect of riches from phosphate rock and the promise of abundant fishing. 

Early American inhabitants of Gasparilla Island were fishermen, and by 1870 there were numerous fish ranches throughout the Charlotte Harbor area. The north end of Gasparilla Island and the place that became known as Boca Grande evolved into hubs for sportfishing and charters, which became the primary income for the islanders. In addition, the phosphate industry was booming, with barges carrying the valuable mineral to the port at Boca Grande. To make the exporting of phosphate rock easier, a railroad was built starting in 1905. The Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railway (as it was named) was completed in 1907. For the next 50 years, phosphate rock was shipped via the state-of-the-art port in Boca Grande to destinations worldwide via barges. Boca Grande was ranked the 4th busiest port in Florida in 1969.

The Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railway would bring affluent inhabitants to the island and lead to the development of a railroad depot and the streets, shops, and post office that would establish Boca Grande as an official town. Albert Gilchrist filed the first plat for a humble six-block development on the island's southern end. Mr. Albert Gilchrist, who would later become a governor of Florida, led the construction of a grand boulevard that ran through the center of the town, which he named Gilchrist Avenue. The famous Gasparilla Inn was completed in 1912. The village was landscaped, and several downtown cottages were erected to house the incoming wealthy families. 

As the community grew, it began to take on the unique qualities that have made it the vacation destination it is today. The Gasparilla Inn added an 18-hole world-class golf course and affluent beach club on the Gulf Of Mexico. After years of abandonment, the railroad depot became The Loose Caboose Ice Cream Shoppe in the 1970s. The old railroad bed was turned into Boca Grande's popular bike path. Constructed in 1890, the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse is the oldest structure on the island. It was run by the U.S. Coast Guard until 1966, and then, after 20 years of abandonment, it was later renovated and designated as a historical landmark. The state of Florida took ownership soon after, and it became the centerpiece of the Gasparilla Island State Park. 

Today, Gasparilla Island is a laid-back paradise, pleasantly devoid of cars, with most travelers getting around by walking, golf cart, or bicycle. Gasparilla Island has much to offer tourists and residents, from its pristine beaches to pirate legends, upscale shopping, and refined dining establishments. The beaches are pure paradise, with a soft sandy coastline, blue-green waters, and plenty of exotic shells for collecting. So whether you come to relax by the beach, take in the rich history of this tiny island, or relax at the Gasparilla Inn, you're sure to find that peace and serenity abound. You may even rub elbows with the rich and famous! Regulars to Boca Grande have included such celebrities as Katherine Hepburn, Tom Brokaw, Chris O'Donnell, Tucker Carlson, Jason Garrett, Bill Cowher, and President George H.W. Bush and his family.

Gasparilla Island ascends north of Cayo Costa at the Boca Grande Pass, one of the deepest natural inlets in Florida, and later named the Tarpon capital of the world. Accessible by bridge via the Boca Grande Causeway from Placida, it is part of the west central barrier island chain in the greater Charlotte Harbor region. The island is essential for enclosing the estuary that includes Pine Island Sound. To the west of Gasparilla Island is the Gulf Of Mexico, which accounts for the Gasparilla Islands' sugar-sand beaches and beautiful turquoise waters. Punta Gorda, located in southwest Florida, is another mainland point to access Gasparilla Island. You can drive to Eldrid's Marina and grab a water taxi to the island.

If you're intrigued by island life and are considering a move to Gasparilla Island, you'll want to rely on the expert knowledge of the professionals at Olivia Jones Realty. With 61 homes for sale and a median house price of $2.7 million, Olivia Jones Realty is ready to help you realize your dream of luxury living in Boca Grande. Please don't hesitate to contact Olivia Jones Realty for all of your real estate needs.