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History of Sanibel and Captiva Islands |
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People lived on
Sanibel Island 2,500 years ago, shortly after it became an island
risen from the sea as a persistent ridge of sand. Calusa Indians
came to fish and stayed to make their homes, fashioning pottery in a
style archaeologists have come to term "Sanibel Incised." |
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In 1513 Ponce de
Leon discovered the coast and may have landed at Sanibel. Other
explorers followed, finally decimating the native population. |
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Cuban fisherman
built fishing ranchos and transported bait mullet back to their
homeland. |
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In 1884 the
Sanibel Lighthouse was built at the insistence of cattle ranchers
and shippers. A government reservation known as Old Town grew up
around it and a farming community arose in the vicinity of today's
Ding Darling Refuge. |
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In 1926 the ferry
service began between Punta Rassa and Sanibel's Old Town. The last
ferry of the day closed down Sanibel at 5:30. |
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In 1945 the
Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge opened. Today known as the J.N.
"Ding" darling National Wildlife Refuge, it comprises more
than half of Sanibel acreage. |
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In 1963 the Sanibel causeway opened. |
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In 1974 the city
of Sanibel was incorporated to develop and maintain an ecology based
lifestyle. |
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