Each piece will be double boxed and packed for a 30' drop should that occur in handling. Shipper only insures first $50 valuation at no additional cost. PLEASE NOTE:  I will only refund this amount ($50) if damage occurs unless buyer has purchased additional insurance. If buyer wishes additional insurance, the cost associated with additional insurance will be calculated and buyer will pay additional cost. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT INSURANCE OF THE PURCHASE PRICE PRIOR TO MAKING PAYMENT

The beckoning waters off the Florida Coast once served as a haven for pirates. With heavy commerce in the Gulf and numerous island retreats, the warm beaches provided an ideal base for these pillaging bandits.

Legend has it that Gasparilla Island was named for the infamous pirate José Gaspar. The cold-blooded buccaneer often kidnaped women and raided passing ships, stealing their gold and silver. On one such mission, he abducted a beautiful Spanish princess named Josefa, who stole his heart. He begged her to marry him, but his embittered captive did not return his affections. She cursed him and spat in his eye, and in a fit of uncontrolled anger, he drew his saber and beheaded her. He buried her body on the beach and kept her head in a jar on his ship as a grisly reminder of his unrequited love. Many believe that her grave lies near the Old Port Boca Grande Light.

After the U.S. acquired Florida, Gasparilla Lsland became an obvious choice for a lighthouse as vessels transported their bounty to and from Charlotte Harbor. With the discovery of large quantities of phosphate up the Peace River, shipping activities flourished and the dark island became a perilous hazard.

The Lighthouse Board commissioned the building of Boca Grande Light, originally called Charlotte Harbor Light Station. Workers elevated the charming house-like structure on steel pilings to protect the lighthouse from erosion and storm surges. The 3½-Order Fresnel lens, lighted in 1890, beamed a white light, varied by a flash of red every 20 seconds, warning mariners of the dangerous shoals.

Over the next 75 years, the island’s focus slowly converted from commerce to tourism. The island became a haven for visitors who flocked to the area to fish in the rich waters. One lightkeeper’s granddaughter recalled John Rockefeller and John Jacob Astor bringing their yachts down for tarpon season and visiting the sentinel.

In the 1950s and ‘60s, the entire island began to erode as nature turned its tide against the shores. The 200' beach separating the lighthouse from the ocean dwindled to less than 20'. In 1966, the Coast Guard abandoned the structure and moved the lens to the rear range light. Vagrants vandalized the unguarded building and the seaward side of the lighthouse started sinking in the sand. Leaning nearly 45 degrees, the sentinel was standing in water at high tide and was sure to perish in the unforgiving Gulf waters.

Concerned islanders formed the Boca Grande Conservation Council to save the lighthouse. After being placed on the National Register of Historic Places, grants became available and money was raised to save the sentinel. After a relighting ceremony in 1986, the lighthouse became the office for park rangers and houses a museum, reserving the legacy of this picturesque island.

CONDITION: Very good. Displayed for a short time in glass-enclosed curio cabinet.

Each piece will be double boxed and packed for a 30' drop should that occur in handling. Shipper only insures first $50 valuation at no additional cost. PLEASE NOTE:  I will only refund this amount ($50) if damage occurs unless buyer has purchased additional insurance. If buyer wishes additional insurance, the cost associated with additional insurance will be calculated and buyer will pay additional cost. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT INSURANCE OF THE PURCHASE PRICE PRIOR TO MAKING PAYMENT

If damaged in shipping, buyer must save damaged carton to show shipper’s rep condition of boxes.

NOTE: for the most part, I only collected full size Harbour Lights. GLOWS and Little Lights of Mine will be clearly identified as such should I find I have any.