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November, 1996 VOL.1 Issue 9
THE LIGHTHOUSES OF
BOCA GRANDE
Boca Grande, Florida
| DESCRIPTION: | |
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We had been driving for several hours along the Florida interstate highways an it was time to take a scenic detour.
A lighthouse would be a welcome destraction for our road weary eyes.
Besides, the two Boca Grande Lighthouses where on the way...."just a little side trip".
We left Interstate 75 near Venice and headed down along the gulf coast.
The sun was hot and glaring, the landscape flat and uneventful, and the lighthouses no where in sight.
Just one more mile, just one more mile.
The suburbs thinned into marsh where we found a small bridge that would take us to Gaperrilla Island.
Almost there.. We could see the gulf coast on the left but still no lighthouse. The emerald green waters looked so appealing as I continued to drive under the Hot noon sun. It was a quiet road, well kept homes lined each side, not your typical congested beach town. No McDonald's, no Burger Kings, no strip malls. (Hope there never will be.) Finally, I could see the beacon on top of the tower. Slowly I saw a tall white object grow taller and taller on the horizon. We pulled into a small parking area for beach access and I finally stopped the car. I removed my foot from the gas pedal, it was not stuck as I had feared, and tried walking again.
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Standing in the bright bleached sand by the emerald green gulf,
the huge puffy white clouds as big as mountains,
we really began to wish we had our bathing suits on.
I begain to think that maybe we would have reached our real destination, Sanibel,
if I didn't take this "quick" detour.
The gulfs hypnotic effect was beginning to get to me, so I returned my attention to the tall hot metal structure behind me.
The Boca Grande rear range light is no debutante in the circle of lighthouse.
Since 1890 the tall metal cylinder has thrusted it's beacon into the Florida
sky anchored to the sand with a spider web of struts.
All the cool air-conditioned air inside the car had boiled off and it was now hotter than ever. Fortunatly the Port Boca Grande lighthouse was less than 10 minutes down the road. We parked in the gravel lot within view of the lighthouse under the shade of a tree and walked to the lighthouse The view of ships passing through the harbor past the palm tree surrounded lighthouse was pleasant. The shells along the beach begged to be picked. The sun, the gulf, the cool emerald green water was to much to take, our feet got wet. In contrast to the Rear range light, the Port Boca Grande lighthouse looks more like an island resort bungalow than a lighthouse. Port Boca Grande is a squat, square, wooden lighthouse with a wide porch that wraps around the second floor level. The four sided roof comes to a peak at the center, this is where the beacon sits.
Our ultimate destination was calling, it was time to leave.
It didn't seem fair that it took so long to get here, and now we had to leave.
But there really was not much else to do.
It looked like a great place to relax, and I felt a little cheated that I couldn't relax yet. 
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| DIRECTIONS: | ||
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Boca Grande is on the west coast of Florida south of Sarasota and North of Sanibel. Method One. From I75 take to 681 to 41 when you reach Venice. Continue down RT 41 till you reach RT 775, you want to stay along the coast till you reach Placida. In Placida take Gasparilla Rd out across the little tool bridge and continue on down the island. At about 5th street go right then left onto Gulf Blvd. Head South. The lighthouse will find you. You can not get lost, there is the only main road. Method two. From I75 get on RT 41 in Punta Gorda and then take 776. Drive past many strip malls to you reach Placida. Another alternative to viewing the lighthouses may be by boat - the reason they were made. It may be possible to charter a boat from Sanibel or another nearby location. If you live nearby or are staying somewhere on the island the lighthouses could be an interesting diversion. However, the lighthouses of Boca Grande are not open to the public, and there are not many other "attractions". I therefore do not recommend this location for the casual lighthouse enthusiast who wishes a grand tour and museum. If you have kids they may get restless by the time you reach the lighthouse. This should be more of a destination to stay and relax than an interesting educational diversion.
 View a Delorme Street Atlas Map You will need Street Atlas 3.0 or 4.0 |
WHILE YOU ARE THERE: |
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The islands main attraction is the ability to do NOTHING.
No distractions , just relax in the sun and go swimming.
To read a book and watch the waves. Or go Tarpoon fishing.
This is a quiet island. The lighthouses where constructed here because Port Boca Grande was a major shipping access for phosphates which were mined near here. Until 1958 when the bridge was constructed, the only access to Gasperilla was by boat or train. Its in-accesiblity has kept major hotel developers away. For more activities head south to Sanibel (about 2 hours), or further down to Marco Island. I had thought of stopping at Venice to visit a friend, and look for some fossilised sharks teeth on the beach. But that will have to be another trip. Time on the map always looks like much less than in real life. |
| NEAREST LIGHTHOUSES: | ||
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North - Edgmont Key Lighthouse, on a key only accessible by boat. About 4 hours North.
The lighthouse is closed to the public. The lighthouse can be seen from Fort DeSoto 3 miles away. South - Sanibel Lighthouse; about 2 hours south. Sanibel is more of a resort island world famous for its beaches covered in shells. | ||
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The Lighthouse Locator Published and Photographed by F Menke.
Last Updated Jan 22, 1997
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