This date in the Boca Beacon: Whidden’s restoration and museum

FIVE YEARS AGO

GIWA’s Water Reclamation Facility had completed the final pour of concrete for two new concrete tanks and an elevated platform.

TEN YEARS AGO

Bayne Stevenson hosted the annual sandcastle party for The Island School children at his island home. The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority was teasing the island with an announcement of when the new swing bridge would be open.

FIFTEEN YEARS AGO

Lemon Bay Conservancy celebrated the purchase of their new land with a barbeque, balloon rides, wildlife information and Santa.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

Sprint was testing an electronic sonic bird repellent to install on the tower to deter the birds from leaving behind a mess.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO 

Work began on the buildings at Whidden’s Marina to restore the aging structure and turn it into a maritime museum. An island-wide fund-raising campaign had been launched to finance the project.

THIRTY YEARS AGO

A 69-year-old participant of the Boca Grande Community Center’s 5K Run/Walk collapsed and died of cardiac arrest just shortly after competing in the race. 

THIRTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

The Lee County Mosquito Control helicopter crashed on the island into a densely wooded area. The pilot, Jerry Fidler, was able to climb out of the wreckage.

FORTY YEARS AGO

Captiva Island was testing a pilot program to address the coastal erosion crisis. The test included cloth sandbags being placed end to end to form six beach stabilizers jutting into the gulf.