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Community History

Letters: History Bytes finishes 25th season  with more living records of history

March 12, 2026
To the Editor: A special thank you to everyone who attended our 25th season of  “History Bytes.” Sally Van ltalie and Robert Johnson initially developed this program, and it continues to imp…

This date in the Boca Beacon: Chamber joins the internet

March 12, 2026
FIVE YEARS AGO Big Sister, Candy of Paradise Exclusive, and Little Sister, Aaliyah, were named the top “Big and Little Sister” for the state of Florida for Big Brothers Big Sisters. TEN YEARS…

Louise Crowninshield portrait restored after storm damage

March 5, 2026
A replacement portrait of Louise Evelina du Pont Crowninshield has been restored after damage from 2024 hurricanes. It will hang above the fireplace in the Crowninshield Community House as it had pr…

Remembering the last manager of the Seaboard phosphate docks

March 5, 2026
The last port agent and manager of Boca Grande’s phosphate dock, Joe Murray Freeman Jr., died Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Temple Terrace at age 96. “He had so many answers that the highly educated…

This date in the Boca Beacon: COVID Strawberry Fest

March 5, 2026
FIVE YEARS AGO L.A. Ainger Middle School held its first concert of the year with some Lemon Bay H.S. players filling in. A “new kind” of Strawberry Festival was held without the boutique and with…

History Bytes: Nancy Galliher, island memories, growing family here

February 26, 2026
This week, just before the start of the fourth and final presentation of this year’s History Bytes series, Boca Grande Historical Society Vice President Scott Shively made a surprise presentation to…

This date in the Boca Beacon: New 5K course record

February 26, 2026
FIVE YEARS AGO Many residents responding to a National Register of Historic Places proposal were against the inclusion even before the public meeting. Residents were against attracting more visit…

Developer of Gasparilla’s Sea Oats and Sanibel projects remembered

February 19, 2026
The co-founder of a Southwest Florida homebuilding company that built Sea Oats, a condo complex on the north end of Boca Grande, died on Jan. 23.  Milton William “Bill” Frey II moved to Sanibel i…

Docent-led history tours begin again at the Fust Library

February 19, 2026
BY THE JOHANN FUST LIBRARY FOUNDATION The Johann Fust Community Library has been at the core of the Boca Grande Community for decades, and now, after more than 75 years, the Johann Fust Library F…

History Bytes: Tom Knight on Mercury Marine and Mercabo

February 19, 2026
The third History Bytes of 2026 was presented by Tom Knight, who shared about his time at Mercury Marine, or Mercabo, on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the Johann Fust Library Loggia. This is the 25th year o…