Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum

The Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum was a working lighthouse that was manually run by several keepers and their families until 1956 when it was completely automated. Perched atop iron pilings at the extreme southern end of Gasparilla Island is the restored Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and its look-alike companion, which served as the assistant keeper's dwelling. These two pieces of history were almost lost, as by 1970 the sea had whittled hundreds of feet off the southern end of the island and was lapping at the lighthouse's foundation. Fortunately, pressure from local concerns prompted the government to take measures which proved successful in regaining much of the eroded island and in saving the lighthouse so it could be enjoyed by future generations upon generations.

The pretty, two-story, circa-1890 lighthouse once marked the pass for mariners. In recent years it has been restored as a museum that explores the island's fishing and railroad heritage in rooms once occupied by the lighthouse keeper. The lighthouse and park are open daily from 8 am to sunset. The lighthouse is open to the public all year around with various hours depending on the season. Hours are more restricted during the winter months and inclement weather.