Spirits of the Lighthouse ... Since construction on the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse was complete in 1890, many people served as keepers of the light. It faded out in 1967, when the historic building was threatened by erosion from the waves and many storms, but was refurbished in 1981, relit and recommissioned in 1986. Its light has been spilling on the island for many, many years and has seen many things – some good, some bad. In the 77 years that is was first used, stories of good times and bad have issued forth from its walls. One little girl in particular, who loved the sea very much and died in the place she loved, is still reported to haunt the Lighthouse. A general sense of foreboding can be felt sometimes when you near the staircase up to the top room. In the early 1800s a young, happy family by the last name of Johnson lived on the lighthouse property and helped to maintain the light. They had a little girl, approximately 5-years-old, who loved to play in the upper rooms of the building where she was surrounded by windows and could watch the sea. Many say her small face could be seen long into the night, framed against the glass by the bright, revolving light. As children often did in that time, though, she took ill and died. Some say it was whooping cough that took her, others say diphtheria. Because there was no way to take her body to a proper cemetery (the closest was many miles away), she was buried somewhere near the lighthouse. Those who have been in the lighthouse late in the evening swear you can hear the sound of little running feet, and the rythmic bounce ... bounce ... bounce of a rubber ball on the floor as her spirit happily plays jacks in the upper rooms she loved so much. September/October 2017 GASPARILLA ISLAND 45
20465BB
To see the actual publication please follow the link above