Spring meeting 2017

May 5 & 6

Gasparilla Island

Registration Closes April 30, 2017

Click Here for On-line Registration

Click Here to Download Regstration Form

   Gasparilla Island is home to 2 lighthouses, Port Boca Grande Lighthouse Map and Boca Grande Entrance Rear Range Light. Port Boca Grande Lighthouse was built in 1890 and is a one-story wooden dwelling on iron pilings with a black octagonal lantern on top, the original lens being a 3 ½ Order Fresnel lens.  This building also served as the Lighthouse Keeper’s residence.  The light was automated in 1956, deactivated in 1966, and abandoned by the Coast Guard in 1969.  Due to erosion and waves at high tide crashing under the house, the support screws were exposed, requiring the building of rock groins and pumping sand onto the beach to protect the house from additional damage. Boca Grande Lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, and restoration work began in 1985. The light was recommissioned in 1986, and remains today an aid to navigation.  Along with the next door Assistant Keeper’s house, the Boca Grande Lighthouse is the oldest building on Gasparilla Island.

The Boca Grande Entrance Rear Range Light, now known as the Gasparilla Island Light, Map is one of only a few lighthouses that has had active service in two states. This lighthouse, an iron skeletal tower, was originally built in 1881 in Delaware, and served as the Delaware Breakwater Rear Range Lighthouse until 1918 when operation was discontinued due to the shifting shoreline/erosion. In 1919 the Seventh Lighthouse District in Florida notified Delaware that there was a need for the tower in Florida; however, due to money problems the tower was not erected on Gasparilla Island until 1927 as Port Boca Grande’s Rear Range Light, and the 4^th Order Fresnel Lens was not lit until 1932.  Recently the Light was turned over to the Barrier Island Parks Society, and has been completely restored to its 1927 condition.  Both Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and The Gasparilla Island Light remain aids to navigation. 

Our spring event will start on Friday May 5, 2017 at the Chapel down by the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse with committee meetings at 4:30 PM, followed by the FLA Board meeting at 6:00 PM.  Please note, the social will be AT THE BOCA GRANDE LIGHTHOUSE at 7:30 where we will have the opportunity for a night climb. On Saturday the membership meeting will start at 9:00 AM at the Community House, with a salad Luncheon ( details to follow) at about 12:00, followed by a visit and climb to both Lighthouses.

The cost for the event will be $50 each for members and $75 each for non-members, which includes a 1 year membership in FLA. Due to FLA insurance requirements all attendees MUST be members. The meeting fee includes the Friday night Social, the Friday night climb, the membership meeting, Lunch, and visits to both lighthouses.

NOTE: There is a $6.00 Toll Coming onto Gasparilla Island and a $2 or $3 Parking fee for the State Park at the Lighthouse.

 

HOTELS

The first three are in Port Charlotte and approximately 30 miles (45 minutes) from the meeting place.

La Quinta Inns & Suites La Quinta Inn Map

812 Kings Hwy

Port Charlotte, Fl 33980

941 979-4200

Rate: $81 for 2 Queens (Ask for FLA rate)

Cut-off Date; 5 April, 2017.

 

Holiday Inn Express Holiday Inn Express Map

24440 Sandhill Blvd.

Port Charlotte, FL 33983

941 764-0056

Rate: $89 (ask for FLA rate)

Cut-off; 13 April, 2017

 

Hampton Inn Hampton Inn Map

24480 Sandhill Blvd

Port Charlotte, Fl 33983

941 627-5600

Rate: $114 for Standard King or Queen (ask for FLA rate)

Cut-off Date: 13 April, 2017

 

The next two Hotels are located in Englewood and are approximately 16 miles (30 minutes) from the meeting place.

 

Sun Life Beach Sun Life Beach Map

1225 S McCall Rd.

Englewood, Fl 34223

813 447-1111

Rate: $150 for 2 nights, (2 dbl beds, 1 dbl bed or king)) (MUST call Anna at the Hotel and ask for FLA rate. If no answer, leave message requesting FLA rate and she WILL call back.) (Rate for additional  days may be different.)

Cut-off 5 April, 2017

 

Sun Coast Inn Sun Coast Inn Map

2073 South McCall Rd E

Englewood, Fl, 34224

941 475-6533

Rate; $69.95 for standard King & standard 2 Queen (MUST call hotel and ask for FLA rate.)

Cut-off; 24 April, 2017