Gasparilla Island

Southwest Region

Built 1891 in Delaware. Moved to Gasparilla Island in 1927

At a Glance

Region

Southwest Region

Type

Historic Lighthouse

Latitude

26.74203

Longitude

-82.26344

Gasparilla Island Rear Range Light

Photo: Bonnie Jean Exum

Active: Yes

Characteristics: Flashes every six seconds.

Height: 105 feet

DayMark: White steel skeletal tower.

History: Built 1891 in Delaware. Moved to Gasparilla Island in 1927

Lens: Modern optic with a 105 foot focal plane and a range of 12 miles, first lighted in 1932.

Construction: Built by Phoenix Iron works in Trenton NJ. Steel skeletal tower with a central tube enclosing the spiral stairs.

Other Buildings: None

Coordinates:
26 44 31 N
82 15 48 W

Operated by:

Location: Within the Gasparilla Island State Park.

Visit Status: Not open to the public.

Days Open: None

Facilities: None

Hours Open: N/A

Visitor Info: Stands alongside the road on the way to the Boca Grande Light. Can walk right up to it, and easily photograph it.

Admission: $3.50 toll to get on Island

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Overview

The 105-foot Gasparilla Island Lighthouse stands north of Port Boca Grande Lighthouse on the same barrier island. Its six-sided skeletal frame surrounds a central stair cylinder, a design that made the tower economical to build and practical to relocate.

History

The Phoenix Iron Company built the tower in 1881 as the Delaware Breakwater Rear Range Light. After changing shorelines made it unnecessary, it was discontinued in 1918, dismantled, and eventually shipped to Florida. The tower was reassembled on Gasparilla Island in 1927 and first lighted there in 1932 as the Boca Grande Entrance Rear Range. It was automated in 1956 and renamed Gasparilla Island Lighthouse after the front range was discontinued. The light went dark in 2017, but the Barrier Island Parks Society restored the structure and relighted it in 2019.

Visiting & Access

The lighthouse stands in a public beach park on Gasparilla Island, and the exterior can be viewed daily. The tower opens only on selected climb dates. Access to the island uses the Boca Grande Causeway, which charges a toll; confirm climb events before traveling.

Current Status

The Barrier Island Parks Society cares for the lighthouse in partnership with the State of Florida. The tower is active with a replica fourth-order Fresnel lens installed during restoration. Grounds are open, while tower access is limited to special events.

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