Boca Grande at one time was the fifth busiest port in Florida because of it's location at the entrance to Charlotte Harbor.  In the 1880, phosphate was located in large quantities inland and a huge demand resulted for its use in fertilizer. For the first few years, the phosphate was floated down the river aboard barges and then loaded onto sea going ships to deliver all over the United States for processing.

A few years later, a railroad line was built going down to the port in order to more efficiently transport the phosphate from the mines to the port. Because of the phosphate trade, and this port being so busy, a lighthouse was built on the southern tip in December 1890. Since 1890 the lighthouse has been in operation. Next to the lighthouse is the housing quarters for the lighthouse keeper and their families. Since 1890, the lighthouse has changed ownership from the US Coast Guard, to Lee County and now to the State of Florida, who made land around the lighthouse a state park.

Another unusual characteristic about Boca Grande is that it is one of the few islands in the United States that actually has two working lighthouses.

The second lighthouse is called the "Boca Grande Rear Range" Lighthouse. The particular light was built in 1932 as a second light to warn ships of this point of land. The Lighthouse was originally built in Delaware in 1927, but then dismantled and moved to Boca Grande. You can still see the date, 1927, written in steel above the door to enter the lighthouse.  As I mentioned, it is still in use today but it's future is uncertain. Due to increased growth found on the mainland behind it, the light from the lighthouse is now getting difficult to see from sea because it is now getting mixed in with all the other lights for civilization. This lighthouse sits about a mile north of the other light.

Sincerely,
Sean Allen
Skype: sean.allen5
http://www.internationalfinancingsolutions.com/

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