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Community History


February 13, 2025
BY KAREN GRACE, BOCA GRANDE HISTORY CENTER In July 1983, the Boca Grande Community Theater staged its first play, “Out of the Frying Pan.”  The Boca Beacon noted that for some of the cast and cre…

February 6, 2025
The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board is set to hold its first meeting since September, on Feb. 12 at 10 a.m.  The meeting will include one project: a request to elevate a guest house at 30…

January 30, 2025
JAMES BLAHA, DIRECTOR BOCA GRANDE HISTORY CENTER As the Boca Grande Health Clinic continues the expansion of its medical facilities, now is the time to remember at least one of the many physician…

January 30, 2025
Goodbye to a longtime family spring break tradition, at least this year. There will be no Spring Bike Path Parade or Spring Fair, according to the Boca Grande Woman’s Club. The Boca Grande Woman’…

January 30, 2025
This upcoming Feb. 21 is the 40th anniversary of the dedication of the Boca Grande Bike Path. Pictured here is a drawing by the late Patti Middleton to promote that opening celebration back in 1985…

January 16, 2025
BY KAREN GRACE BOCA GRANDE HISTORY CENTER Frank and Louise DuPont Crowninshield first came to Boca Grande in 1916 or 1917 having learned from Benny Crowninshield, Frank’s brother, of the large nu…

January 2, 2025
Merritt “Babe” Neel Darna, a member of one of Boca Grande’s legacy families, died December 24, 2024. Babe was born on May 16, 1938 to Alfonso and Edith Darna on the remote barrier island of Cayo…

January 2, 2025
BY MILTON BELL Milton Bell is a Boca Grande native, born October 26, 1950, who grew up on the property of the phosphate loading facility at Port Boca Grande. He is one of six children born to Angelo…

December 27, 2024
Brief news from this date in the archives of the Boca Beacon: FIVE YEARS AGO A bicyclist took a fall on the Boca Grande Causeway. Lee Flight flew the transport to Lee Memorial. Mercabo Preserv…

December 12, 2024
BY KAREN GRACE, BOCA GRANDE HISTORY CENTER For many years, Christmas Eve at the Louise du Pont Crowninshield Community House brought Santa and gifts. The Community House was opened in 1936. Mrs…