Community History
The Boca Grande Club early years: The 1970s and 80s
August 7, 2020
SUBMITTED BY THE BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY – A November 1978 article in the St Petersburg Times announced the creation of a new development on Gasparilla Island, to be called the Boca Grande C…
First a school, then a community gathering place
July 10, 2020
SUBMITTED BY THE BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY- The Community Center and the property around it have been an important gathering place for island people since it was built in 1929. Francis and Lou…
BGHS creates ‘the mother of all timelines’ for island history buffs
June 5, 2020
BY MARCY SHORTUSE- The Boca Grande Historical Society has done some timelines in the past, but primarily ones put together for specific times or events in history. Now, though, historians can brows…
Historic District zoning and a potential marine district Part IV: Items to be addressed by the Boca Grande Community Planning Association
May 15, 2020
STAFF REPORT – Two questions on the recently completed Boca Grande Community Planning Association survey touched on land, or water use regulation: Zoning in the historic district, and the creation …
They call him ‘Dumplin’: Captain reminisces on the original Boca Grande
February 28, 2020
BY OLIVIA CAMERON – The Naples Sailing and Yacht Club visited the island to hear a special guest speaker, and they may have gotten more than they bargained for. “Captain Dumplin’ ” gave an inside l…
A Promenade compromise has been reached! ‘Stonehenge’ has been moved to allow safe passage
February 7, 2020
In an act of good faith and a love of our island community, the owners of the property located on the Promenade at 3rd Street and the beach have moved the rock structure that was blocking the hist…
Many thanks for giving legendary portrait a facelift
December 14, 2018
To the Editor: Kudos and THANKS! to Susan Bowers for having the picture of Louise du Pont Crowninshield restored and reframed. She looks wonderful hanging in her traditional spot, over the mantelpi…
Farewell, 41: An island mourning the loss of President George H.W. Bush
December 7, 2018
Hearts are breaking all over the island with the passing of former President George H.W. Bush on November 30. Many island residents knew him, and even if they didn’t love his politics they loved h…
A pioneering Florida family: The Albrittons, Part II
August 3, 2018
■ SUBMITTED BY TIMMY SPAIN
Editor’s note: Columnist Tim Spain wrote a piece about the Albritton family in May, 2018. This is part two of that series.
Aaron Robert Albritton or “Twister,” as …
The matriarch of Boca Grande took her last ride over the Causeway: The passing of Isabelle Joiner
June 22, 2018
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE It’s very hard to put into words what Isabelle Joiner meant to the heart and soul of Gasparilla Island. She didn’t just live on the island, and she wasn’t just raised on the isl…