Boca Grande

Boca Grande is a small residential community on Gasparilla Island in southwest Florida, just a few miles south of Englewood.  Bocca Grande is the name of the town, Gasparilla the name of the island.  Technically, the Island is divided into two parts. Two counties, Charlotte and Lee, actually govern this little spot in the sun, while the actual village of Boca Grande,  is entirely in the Lee County portion. 

The Population is Fluctuating

The Island’s permanent population hovers around the 2,000 number. However, in season, when the snowbirds are flocking to this little paradise, this number represents only a fraction of the actual residents. Gasparilla Island has a long history of tourism. 

The Railroad

Long before a road was built to connect Gasparilla with the mainland, a railroad linked Gasparilla already with Punta Gorda. The primary purpose of that railroad was to transport phosphate to the south end of the Island.  That was the only spot deep enough to accommodate seagoing vessels. 

However, when you can use the railway to haul phosphate, you can make some extra bucks by transporting people as well.  Therefore, affluent people from the northern states could use that train to get to Gasparilla, and spent the winter months on the sub-tropical Island. 

The Island looks different today

At that time, the number of accommodations was pretty limited, but today, condominiums and modern homes dot the tropical Island. However, at least the picturesque town of Boca Grande looks much the way it did a century ago.

Real Estate of Gasparilla

Real estate in Boca Grande ranges in price from around $150,000.00 to $15,000,000.00 or even more.