Tag: Boca Grande Historical Society

New Boca Grande Fishing Hall of Fame inducts first honorees

We finally have a Boca Grande Fishing Guides Hall of Fame. Many times, folks had discussed a hall of fame for our traditional tarpon fishery cornerstones and its guides. Now we have one. The...

EASTER WEEKEND: Walking of the Cross, Egg Hunt & The Beatles

Easter weekend began with Stations of the Cross on Park Avenue, and followed with an Easter Egg hunt at the Community Center. Saturday afternoon, there was a return of John, Paul, George and Ringo...

History: No pirates, no gold, but lots of bugs in the selling of Gasparilla

Above, The Charlotte Harbor & Northern Railway used a bloody pirate as their main brochure for the island in its early days. Boca Grande Historical Society Archives BY JIM BLAHA, BOCA...

History Bytes: Nancy Galliher, island memories, growing family here

This week, just before the start of the fourth and final presentation of this year’s History Bytes series, Boca Grande Historical Society Vice President Scott Shively made a surprise presentation...

History Bytes: Tom Knight on Mercury Marine and Mercabo

February 19, 2026
Anna Ridilla
Community History, News

The third History Bytes of 2026 was presented by Tom Knight, who shared about his time at Mercury Marine, or Mercabo, on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the Johann Fust Library Loggia. This is the 25th year...

Author Hanafee tells tales in History Bytes talk

There were frequent chuckles and plenty of knowing nods in the large crowd at the Johann Fust Library on Wednesday as they were entertained by local author Susan Hanafee’s presentation “The Island...

History: Working the railroad, Charlotte Harbor to Arcadia

Above, workers on the Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad, from the Historical Society archives. The railroad was originally along the beach. BGHS photo JAMES BLAHA, BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL...

Saying goodbye to Kim Kyle at the Boca Grande Historical Society

December 18, 2025
Staff Report
Community History, News

Last Friday, the Boca Grande Historical Society celebrated and paid tribute to the work of Kim Kyle, administrative director, on her retirement. Clockswise from top left, Jim and Karen Grace,...

G.I.F.T. Donates to Historical Society

December 11, 2025
Staff Report
Community History, News

Proceeds from the 30th annual Gasparilla Island Fly Fishing Tournament, or G.I.F.T., were presented to the Boca Grande Historical Society on Tuesday, Nov. 25. Pictured here, a $5,000 donation to...

Book Talks

November 26, 2025
Staff Report
Entertainment, News

The Boca Grande Historical Society will feature several books as part of its Let’s Talk About Florida series. They include: Totch: A Life in the Everglades,” By Loren G. Brown, Dec. 9 Totch...