Boca Grande in Lee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Pioneer Hole

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, October 1, 2018

1. Pioneer Hole Marker

Inscription. On November 28th, 1905, the steamboat Mistletoe of Tampa with the engineer corps and a force of sixty laborers landed on the beach directly opposite this spot, and the initial work of surveying and constructing the Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railway was commenced that day. This palmetto tree stood near the door of the officers tent, and the glass insulators at the top of the tree are the original insulators that supported the wire of the first telephone line, which was built on trees from Punta Gorda for the purpose of giving the headquarters of this company telephone communication.

The only inhabitants of Gasparilla Island at that time were Captain William Lester, light house keeper, and the assistant light house keeper and his family, L.M. Fouts and Edwin L. Fouts are the only members of the party now residents of Boca Grande. The railway forces were under the direction of George S. Bruce, chief engineer, and L.M. Fouts, Vice President and general manager.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is November 28, 1905.

Location. 26° 45.036′ N, 82° 15.711′ W. Marker is in Boca Grande, Florida, in Lee County. Marker is at the intersection of Park Avenue

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and 4th Street West, on the right when traveling north on Park Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boca Grande FL 33921, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The First Baptist Church of Boca Grande (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Boca Grande United Methodist Church (about 400 feet away); Gasparilla Inn & Club (approx. 0.2 miles away); Boca Grande Lighthouse (approx. 2.3 miles away); Placida Bunk House (approx. 12.7 miles away); Town of McCall (approx. 12.7 miles away); The Cookie House (approx. 12.9 miles away); Bass Biological Labs/Cookie House (approx. 13.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boca Grande.

Also see . . . Boca Grande Historical Society. (Submitted on January 6, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)

Pioneer Hole Marker looking north on Park Avenue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, October 1, 2018

2. Pioneer Hole Marker looking north on Park Avenue

Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 183 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 6, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.