The
Beach Lighthouse That Never Was
The Florida coastline encompasses 1,350
miles. Besides lavish beaches, five-star resorts, and fishing piers, the
Florida Lighthouses website states, “At one time there were about 65
lighthouses off Florida, but the elements, time and neglect have resulted in
the loss of many of them.”
Sadly, only 30 remain, and a few of
those are not even operational. Close to our community we have the Boca Grande
Rear Range Light, Boca Grande Lighthouse, and the Sanibel Island Lighthouse. It
seems almost out of place that Fort Myers Beach and Fort Myers never erected a
lighthouse. Yet, if the Southwest Florida Historical Society had their way in
1970, and James M. Bratt lived long enough to follow through with his plans in
1899, each would have their own light to shine.
The
Boca Grande Lighthouse of Fort Myers
It seems plausible that Fort Myers should have a
lighthouse. It could be situated somewhere along the 67-mile Caloosahatchee
River. In the early 1970s, that almost came to fruition.
At the September 10, 1970, board meeting of the
Southwest Florida Historical Society, the subject of the Boca Grande Lighthouse
(also known as the Gasparilla Lighthouse) was brought to the table. It was
noted that the Manatee Marine Museum was interested in having the structure
moved to Manatee County. William Carey Johnson, a Boca Grande native, boat
captain and author of Boca Grande: The
Early Days, Memoirs of an Island Son, thought it better to have it moved to
Lee County. Board members were in favor of the idea and immediately discussed
procuring funds from the state and other sources to assist with the move.
With one signature away from relocating the
structure to the base of Monroe Street in downtown Fort Myers, a few residents
of Boca Grande formed a committee and rallied to save and restore their beloved
lighthouse. It now sits fully restored to its former grandeur and serves as a
museum for the Boca Grande Historical Society.
Dr.
Bratt’s Tomatoes
Long before the thought of the moving
the Boca Grande Lighthouse to Fort Myers, Dr. James M. Bratt, an early
homesteader on Fort Myers Beach was plotting to erect a lighthouse on the
beach.
Dr. Bratt, a New York resident arrived
on Fort Myers Beach in 1895. He homesteaded 150 acres and attempted to farm
tomatoes. His first harvest was recorded as “a wonderful first crop,” but in mid February 1895, a burst of Arctic air blew into town. It was
referred to as “the cold wave.” The thermometer dipped down to 38° and only
warmed up to 40° by morning. The orange groves did not suffer from the cold
temps, but “beans and other tender vegetables [were] killed,” according to a
report in the Fort Myers Press.
Residents
down in Marco Island said the “mercury stood at 36° until 9 a.m., but did not
get above 39° all day.” There were even reports of snow and “tomatoes are badly
damaged.”
Four
years later in 1899, another deep freeze hit the area, again ruining Bratt’s
crop of tomatoes.
The Government Lighthouse
After
losing his crops from the harsh weather, Bratt began to focus on placing a
lighthouse at the tip of Bowditch Point.
Known to
locals as “short end,” Bowditch Point is located at the northwest end of Estero
Island. The area is named after Nathaniel Bowditch, an American mathematician
known for his work on ocean navigation. He has been credited as the founder of
modern maritime navigation and in 1902 wrote “The New American Practical
Navigator,” a publication still on board every commissioned U. S. Naval vessel.
Bowditch
Point was also known as the government lighthouse reservation. Bratt was one of
the few homesteaders at Bowditch Point and was active in trying to procure a
lighthouse for Fort Myers Beach. Various reports indicate that there is no
evidence a lighthouse was ever constructed, the “government may have
anticipated a lighthouse at this site.”
Before
Bratt could set in motion his plans of securing a lighthouse from the
government, he died in August 1899. His 150 acres of land was granted to
Ambrose McGregor, an oil tycoon with Rockerfeller and whom McGregor Boulevard
is named after. Unfortunately McGregor passed away only 14 months after Bratt,
in October 1900.
Bowditch Point Today
Today, Bowditch Point Regional Park is a 17
acre part recreational park and part preserve area. The park features tables
and grills, a concession area, restrooms and changing facilities. Visitors and
locals enjoy bird watching and photographing the panoramic views of the gulf.
Perhaps the only thing missing is a lighthouse steeped in historic lore and
tales left behind by its Keepers.
