OLD PORT BOCA LIGHTHOUSE
Gasparilla Island, Florida
The Old Port Boca Lighthouse sits down at the southern end of Gasparilla Island in the State Recreation Area. You can get there by taking the Boca Grande Causeway from Placida. You'll run into the toll booth, so pay up, you get to see two lights on this island.
They built this one in 1890 and lit it with a 3 1/2 order lens. The lighthwas automated in 1950 and then decomissioned in 1966. Shortly after that it began to fall prey to serious neglect and vandalism until concerned local citizens took action and succeeded in getting the property turned over to local government. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. And in 1986, with the original lens restored in the lantern room, the lighthouse went back into service.
The light is just under 45 feet high with a focal plane a few feet shorter. The grounds are fragile and they certainly appreciate folks staying on the boardwalks when around the lighthouse and adjacent building.
Here's how I saw it:
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OF THE MOUNTAINS
John B Caddell
Copyright 2001