Tag: Boca Grande Historical Society

History: The notable pets of 20th Century Gasparilla Island

BY JAMES J. BLAHA, BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY George Eliot, famous novelist, poet, and one of the leading writers of the Victorian Era, said that “Animals are such agreeable friends – they...

Letters: Boca Grande Historical Society announces Footprints exhibit

To the Editor and the community: On behalf of the Boca Grande Historical Society, we thank you for your support. We understand the impact the two recent hurricanes have had on our community and...

History: 800 years ahead for Banyan Street ‘cathedral’

BY KAREN GRACE,BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY In 1915, Peter Bradley of the American agricultural Chemical Company had 26 banyan trees planted on each side of what was then Second Street. The...

History: Service and civic clubs often come the rescue

What happened to Kiwanis on island? BY JAMES J. BLAHA, DIRECTORBOCA GRANDE HISTORY CENTER The Boca Grande Woman’s Club has been recognized for its many charitable and community-based...

History: Tampa people, other summer Floridians in Boca Grande

From Badcock to Lykes, and so many automobile dealers, physicians Above has tournament organizer and director Dixie Hollins with Capt. Wayne Joiner and daughter Effie after winning his four...

History: The L Dock, Boca Grande’s yacht haven

Kiwanis Club challenge BY JAMES J. BLAHA, DIRECTORBOCA GRANDE HISTORY CENTER “Miss Lana Turner, famous movie actress and her husband, Mr. Dan Topping, who spent four days in Boca...

Memorial Day landscaping for Boca Grande Veteran’s Memorial

Editor’s Note: The flag is up! While the American flag may not be up by Memorial Day, the Boca Grande Veterans Memorial at 5th and Gilchrist is at least landscaped and ready, after help...

The Historian’s Dilemma: Nostalgia vs Fact on Gasparilla Island and Boca Grande

BY JAMES J. BLAHA, DIRECTORBOCA GRANDE HISTORY CENTER “To write history requires a whole life of observation, of inquiry, of labor, and correction,” Thomas Jefferson...

History: A biography of our first round favorite, the Temptation Sign

BY KAREN GRACE Just like the island, the neon cocktail glass at the center of the Temptation sign has survived storms for more than 75 years. As the only outdoor neon sign on the island, it has...

When radio came to Boca Grande: Gasparilla Island in the Roaring Twenties

BY JAMES J. BLAHA, DIRECTORBOCA GRANDE HISTORY CENTER The Roaring Twenties and The Jazz Age are just a few of the labels that historians have applied to this unique period of U.S. history....