Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum

Built in 1890, the Boca Grande Lighthouse is in the National Register of Historic Places. It is a working lighthouse, museum and the oldest building on Gasparilla Island. The view alone is worth the visit. The lighthouse is at Gasparilla Island State Park, so bring your beach gear or walk the trails, fish and stick around for the sunset.

Highlighting early Native American and Spanish life dating to the 1500s, the museum depicts life of early settlers in Florida. The museum also focuses on the local fishing industry, development of the railroad and the local town history.

The Boca Grande Rear Range Lighthouse was originally built in 1881. It was used as the Delaware Breakwater Rear Range until 1918. In 1921, it was taken apart, and in 1927 it was put back together in Florida. It was not lit again until 1932, and in 1956 it was automated. Cast iron skeletal lighthouses like this one were bolted together, making disassembly and reassembly possible. It served as the rear entrance range light for Port Boca Grande, with the original Boca Grande Lighthouse serving as the front entrance range light. When captains lined the two up, they knew they were in the channel to enter the port.