BY JAMES J. BLAHA BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Pictured Above, Joe Spadaro. BGHS Archives
“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”
– H…
Above, rendering for the new house on 10th Street that would replace the current house, which was delisted as historic due to hurricane damage this week. Preservation Board documents
A damaged Sp…
FIVE YEARS AGO
Several people were spearfishing at the end of Belcher Road and were confronted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
TEN YEARS AGO
The Barrier Island Par…
FIVE YEARS AGO
Lee County School Board mandated masks for all schools including The Island School. The mandate would be revisited in 30 days.
TEN YEARS AGO
The 7th Annual Michael O’Donnell…
On a handshake Sam Whidden built his marina and a family, about a hundred years ago this year. So, the Boca Beacon is looking back over this icon of Gasparilla Island, Whidden’s Marina. All stories…
Above, playing the bait shrimp with Sammy Jay Steyer.
BY NIC MOSTYN
Editor’s Note: In 2012, Nicholas Mostyn wrote this essay for the Beacon, which won a Gasparilla Island Kids Classic essay c…
Above, Paul Martin sent in this photo of friends at ‘Sity Hall,’ with ‘Sears Roebuck air conditioning for your comfort.’
Some memories from readers and friends of the Beacon:
A Place Where Me…
One hundred years of Whidden’s. I’ve been lucky to be a small part of that time
BY JAKE POEPL
Where do I begin?
Whidden’s is a true treasure. It’s where I first stepped on a boat in Boca G…
Whidden’s Marina has given more to our traditions and heritage than we can ever repay. It provided the home port for generations of guides and clients. It’s the center of our local fishing community…
We have been fortunate enough to know four generations of this true southern fisher family. A family full of heart, tradition, laughter, tears, resilience and deep island roots. The memories and hug…
