The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is named after Jay Norwood Darling, a political cartoonist. Darling was instrumental in the effort to block the sale of the environmentally valuable land to the developers on Sanibel. At Darling’s urging, President Truman signed an executive order...
Brothers of a Lee County pioneer family, George F Kinzie and Andrew L. Kinzie began operating a freight and excursion steamer business in Fort Myers 1904. In 1926, they expanded to include vessels that could ferry cars to and from the Island. The Kinzie Brothers...
This wonderful place we call paradise has been here for centuries.
Sure Sanibel looked different than it does now, but it was home to a few other folks before it was “settled” in the 1800’s. The Calusa Indians (Calusa means “fierce people”) were the first...
The Sanibel Lighthouse is located on the eastern end of the 12-mile long island. The idea to build the Lighthouse was first proposed by some of the settlers of the island in 1833, when they petitioned for one to be built. Along the way there...
Like everything on Sanibel, our historical village is non-intrusive, non-sprawling and chock-full of interesting things. It is an icon of preservation and stored memories.
Just driving up to the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village makes one think of taking a trip back in time. The...
Although the Keys are best known as a premiere dive destination, the waters off Sanibel Island offer a unique diving site.
The USS Mohawk, a retired Coast Guard Cutter, was sunk on July 2, 2012. The vessel is the first official memorial reef dedicated to...
There probably is no better time to examine history than at the start of a new year.
And though most come to Sanibel Island for shelling, birding, biking, fishing and swimming; there is history to the island that can be as engrossing.
Historians believe that...
We all know and love Sanibel as a peaceful, pretty place.
A lot of us use to leave doors and windows open and cars unlocked based on the Island's exemplary record for safe living.
So it came as a bit of a shock when a...
