As we followed the road signs and our directions to the lighthouse on Gasparilla Island, the first thing we noticed were the lizards.  I thought I was having some sort of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas moment.  But everywhere you looked these little prehistoric monsters were walking around like they owned the place.    

Why was this island covered with Lizards?  We would find out soon.

We made our way to the southern tip of the island and found the State Recreation Area and the Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum and Visitors Center.

The lighthouse is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am – 4pm and is closed on holidays.  A fine job has been done on the restoration of this lighthouse. 

Built in 1890 to mark the entrance to Charlotte Harbor from the Gulf of Mexico, the lighthouse is the oldest building on Gasparilla Island and is it’s most recognized landmark. 

Lighthouse keepers worked and lived at the lighthouse and occupied the buildings from 1890 to 1951.  The US Coast Guard automated the light in 1956.  Ten years later in 1966, the Coast Guard removed the light from the building, which was falling down due to neglect and beach erosion. 

In 1972 Lee County took over ownership of the lighthouse and the surrounding 13 acres and began the long restoration process. 

In 1980 the lighthouse was placed on the national register of historic places and in 1985 the island’s property owners association, the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement association funded the total restoration along with help from the State of Florida and local citizens. 

In 1988 ownership of the lighthouse and surrounding acreage was transferred from Lee County to the State of Florida and became the Gasparilla Island State Recreation area. 

In 1989 a small group of citizens formed the Barrier Islands Park Society and opened the lighthouse museum and gift shop. 

It was at the gift shop that the burning question of the lizards was finally answered. 

Urban legend has it that the lizard population sprung from the release of some pet lizards that came from Mexico.  They have no natural predators on the island and most people just let them be.  Even though they eat resident’s plants and flowers, most of the people we asked like them.  Good thing, they have as many as most places have birds. 

Don’t miss the lighthouse and museum, it’s a fine place with great exhibits and it’s nicely restored.  

Access to Gasparilla Island is via a toll road, there is a charge of  $3.20 per car.  Then there is a $2 fee to get in the park and a donation of $1 is asked for at the museum.  Call 941-964-0060 for more information. 

A final note here about the lizards; we ate lunch in the park by the lighthouse.  The lizards came out to beg for food like squirrels do at most parks.  They scared the hell out of Elizabeth, but I thought they were pretty cool.  Certainly a unique experience we would not have again on our Florida lighthouse vacation.