Additional Information for Gasparilla Island State Park
Museum: The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed the month of August and major holidays and extends its hours to include Tuesday during the months of February, March and April. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities and an enclosed vertical lift from the ground up to the first floor has been newly installed. The museum’s phone number is (941) 964-0060.
Chapel: The Amory Chapel, located in the park, is available for rent for weddings, receptions and meetings. Call the lighthouse museum at (941) 964-0060 to make reservations.
The Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum and Visitors Center
The Boca Grande Lighthouse, built in 1890, is the oldest building on Gasparilla Island and its most recognized landmark. It is not only a working U.S. Coast Guard light, it is a museum of local history. Lighthouse keepers and their families lived and worked in the lighthouse, and the adjacent assistant light keeper’s house, from 1890 until 1951 when the light was automated. In 1966 the Coast Guard removed the light from the building which was deteriorating due to neglect and beach erosion. In 1972, Lee County took over ownership of the lighthouse and surrounding 13 acres and began a long process to save the building.
The lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, and in 1985-86 the island property owners’ association, the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association funded its total restoration with help from the State of Florida and local citizens. In 1986 the lighthouse was re-commissioned as a working Coast Guard light, and in 1988 the lighthouse and surrounding acreage was transferred from Lee County to the State of Florida and became Gasparilla Island State Recreation Area.
Exhibits in the museum include displays on the Native Americans who first visited these shores, the Spanish who arrived in the 1500’s, the local fishing industry, the history of the lighthouse, the development of the railroad, Port Boca Grande and the town of Boca Grande. The museum houses a unique gift shop which features lighthouse memorabilia and souvenirs. Revenue from all sales supports the museum.
The lighthouse is available for rental for weddings and other special events. Admission to the museum is a $1.00 per person donation.
Resources
Gasparilla Island is one, in a chain of barrier islands, extending along the Gulf coast of Florida. It is separated from the mainland by Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound. It is believed the Calusas were the first residents of the island, seeking the fish, turtles and shellfish that inhabited the Charlotte Harbor and Gasparilla Sound estuaries.
Commercial fishing has always been an important part of Gasparilla Island. The fish and shellfish resources of the surrounding waters are among the richest in the state of Florida.
Are you interested in learning more about the State Parks in Southwest Florida?
District 4’s biology staff continually monitors the biological aspects of our State Parks. Their effort includes scientific reports on flora and fauna found in our area and impacts on the environment from "civilization".
The reports are an excellent source of scientific information for school projects, or more advanced studies.
You can access all of the District 4 reports via the following link:
District 4 Biology Reports
Once there the reports are listed by year. After selecting the year group the reports are listed by title. Example: Select 1997 Annual Reports. Then select a report (they are titled by park and subject). Example: Gasparilla Island SP –Gopher Tortoise Burrow Survey.
Then open the attached report.
Pets
Pets are allowed only in the parking and picnic area and must be kept on a hand-held six-foot leash at all times.
Please see our General Parks Pet Policy for more information.
Links
Florida Division of Recreation and Parks neither endorses links nor approves of links to external sources. External links are made available to assist the Internet user in his or her search. The Florida Division of Recreation and Parks takes no responsibility a link's operation or content. The links that are shown are not an exclusive listing of organizations available within the State.
