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Community History


A fond farewell to ‘The Tack Room’ on Gilchrist

June 29, 2023
The old “Tack Room” cottage that sat in the front of the home at 161/181 Gilchrist Avenue is now gone, but the old “Octopus Tree” appears to be completely intact. In fact, it looks even more impre…

Saying goodbye to Father Carosella won’t be easy

June 22, 2023
Fr. Jerome Carosella has been the pastor of Boca Grande’s Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church for more than half of the time he has been a priest. He was ordained 60 years ago and has been pastor on…

Boca Grande Historical Society offers their annual report for 2022-23

June 22, 2023
Submitted by the Boca Grande Historical Society Foremost on our list, we would like to thank all of our supporters at every level for helping us to continue our mission to the community this se…

THIS DATE IN THE BOCA BEACON

June 22, 2023
Boca Beacon backpages FIVE YEARS AGO The Matriarch of Boca Grande took her last ride over the Causeway on June 20, 2018. Isabelle Joiner took her first steps on the dock at Whidden’s, as wel…

Who’s that lady painting around town? It’s local artist, storyteller and writer Leslie Ann Joiner 

June 15, 2023
You might have seen her around downtown or at Whidden’s lately, hair in a bun with a cupful of brushes and her sweet little dog Pearl at her feet. Leslie Ann …

‘Octopus tree’ to be discussed by Historic Preservation Board

June 8, 2023
The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board has just one item on the agenda this month for their meeting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 14 in the Community Center auditorium, but that doesn’t neces…

That new lady looks shady

May 18, 2023
This new little Shady Lady has taken the place of the old cedar tree across from Hudson’s that was dubbed “the Community Tree” back in 1954. On Monday the old one was taken down to the main trunk,…

A sad but necessary goodbye

May 4, 2023
You’re not going to like what we’re about to say, but you knew it was coming. The Community Tree across from Hudson’s Grocery will be coming down soon, as Hurricane Ian apparently put a final nail…

IT’S GONE

April 27, 2023
Whispering Bench demolished The Whispering Bench is gone. Early Saturday morning heavy equipment operators came and began to gouge it out of the earth, while Boca Grande residents gathered aro…

Knight named new BGHS president, Blaha to serve as vice president

April 27, 2023
Johns Knight is the newly-elected president of the Boca Grande Historical Society. The Knight family came to Florida in 1840, settling first in Manatee County and later in Charlotte County. Before…