Gasperilla Island Lighthouse, Maritime navigation tower in Boca Grande, Florida, United States.
Gasperilla Island Lighthouse is a white navigation tower in Boca Grande that rises 32 meters (105 feet) from steel pilings and has an octagonal lantern room at its top. The structure sits near the entrance to Charlotte Harbor and now serves as a museum with displays about maritime equipment and seafaring practices.
The tower was originally built in 1885 at a different location and moved to Gasperilla Island in 1927, beginning operations in 1932 to guide ships through Boca Grande Pass. The relocation became necessary to better serve the growing maritime traffic through this important waterway.
The lighthouse represents the maritime past of this coastal area and continues to draw visitors interested in seafaring history. Exhibits here show how safe navigation channels shaped the development of Florida's shore communities.
Visitors can explore the interior and learn from displays about navigation history, while the island setting allows time for walking around the grounds. The best time to visit is from November through April when weather is milder and the island feels less crowded.
The tower's original optical system used a rare Fresnel lens that alternated between white and red light every twenty seconds to mark the passage. This precise technology allowed ship captains to navigate through Boca Grande Pass safely, even in difficult conditions.
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