Tag: Whidden’s Marina

Whidden’s Marina, 100 years

On a handshake Sam Whidden built his marina and a family, about a hundred years ago this year. So, the Boca Beacon is looking back over this icon of Gasparilla Island, Whidden’s Marina. All...

Childhood on the docks; Jumping off the shrimp boat

Above, playing the bait shrimp with Sammy Jay Steyer. BY NIC MOSTYN Editor’s Note: In 2012, Nicholas Mostyn wrote this essay for the Beacon, which won a Gasparilla Island Kids Classic essay...

Whidden’s Marina – 100 Years of Celebrating: Memories and anecdotes from our readers and friends

Above, Paul Martin sent in this photo of friends at ‘Sity Hall,’ with ‘Sears Roebuck air conditioning for your comfort.’ Some memories from readers and friends of the Beacon: A Place Where...

Birthday letter to Whidden’s. It’s Americana at its finest

One hundred years of Whidden’s. I’ve been lucky to be a small part of that time BY JAKE POEPL Where do I begin? Whidden’s is a true treasure. It’s where I first stepped on a boat in Boca...

A business incubator that gave this captain a start back in 1981

Whidden’s Marina has given more to our traditions and heritage than we can ever repay. It provided the home port for generations of guides and clients. It’s the center of our local fishing...

The extended family of Isabelle Whidden Joiner

We have been fortunate enough to know four generations of this true southern fisher family. A family full of heart, tradition, laughter, tears, resilience and deep island roots. The memories and...

Hurricane memory

BY JEFF GAINES III When Hurricane Andrew was moving west towards South Florida, everyone knew it was going to turn north at some point but when? Isabelle Joiner, her extended family and most of...

The Maritime Museum: Red Gill Fish House

Old Red Gill lives on as a museum BY BETSY JOINER The Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum this year celebrates 25 years inside the Red Gill Fish House at Whidden’s. The Red Gill Fish House...

A love for animals, including Chico the Monkey

Above, has Barbara looking as Chico checks Isabelle’s hair. BY KAREN GRACE Sam Whidden is remembered as a man who when he found an injured animal, especially a bird, he would nurse it and...

Where Time Stands Still: A Century of Family, Fishing & Memories

BY BETSY JOINER Whidden’s Marina is the longest-running family-owned business on Gasparilla Island. Its story began with founder Sam Whidden in the early 1920s, his home and the marina building...