Sanibel Island in Lee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Sanibel Island

A Sparsely Settled Agricultural Community

— Sanibel Historical Museum and Village —

Sanibel Island Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Sanibel Island Marker

Inscription. The 1870 census showed only two inhabitants on the island. They grew castor beans until, three years later, their plantation was destroyed by a hurricane.

In 1888 the island was opened to homesteading. One hundred and sixty acres were free to anyone who would cultivate their land for five years. Soon farmers were growing tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, watermelon, grapefruit and more for the northern market. Our climate, was such that Sanibel tomatoes, each year, were the first to reach the New York marker. The 1926 hurricane produced a storm surge that inundated the island to a depth of at least eight feet, depositing so much salt that farming became impossible for many years. To make a living, the island's fewer than 100 inhabitants turned to fishing and to the slowly growing tourist industry.

When you look at our garden and the surrounding buildings, imagine these few buildings spread across an island 12 miles long and imagine these crops covering hundreds of acres.

Erected by Sanibel Historical Museum and Village.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Notable Places • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.

Location. 26° 26.418′ N, 82° 4.538′

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W. Marker is on Sanibel Island, Florida, in Lee County. It can be reached from Dunlap Road 0.1 miles south of Wooster Lane, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located within Sanibel Historical Museum and Village. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 950 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel FL 33957, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Shore Haven (here, next to this marker); Sanibel Post Office (a few steps from this marker); Caretakers’ Cottage (a few steps from this marker); Burnap Cottage (a few steps from this marker); Sanibel School for White Children (within shouting distance of this marker); Miss Charlotta’s Tea Room (within shouting distance of this marker); Sanibel Packing Co. (within shouting distance of this marker); The Packing House (within shouting distance of this marker).

Also see . . .
1. Sanibel History. (Submitted on November 13, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Sanibel Island & Captiva Island History. (Submitted on November 13, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Sanibel Island Marker

Sanibel Island Circa 1833 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

3. Sanibel Island Circa 1833

Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 186 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 13, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.