239-472-4648
Author, historian, and long-time historical village volunteer Jeri Magg enlightened and entertained Historical Village volunteers with an hour-long discussion of Captiva history, filled with fun stories and interesting facts.
Magg told stories of William Binder, who was shipwrecked in a storm off Boca Grande around 1860. The only survivor, he couldn’t swim and clung to driftwood as the tides took him to Captiva.
John and Julia Dickey arrived in 1904 on Sanibel, but found it was quite a trip from the bay to the beach they loved, there being no Periwinkle Way or Lindgren Boulevard! They found narrower Captiva Island better met their needs. The Dickeys had three sons. Their teacher, Reba Fitzpatrick came with them, and the boys built Reba a house. Today the dining room of the ’Tween Waters Inn is all that remains of her house.
In 1898, George Carter, his wife and five children came to homestead 160 acres on what is now part of South Seas Resort. The Carter grandchildren loved life on the plantation. The boys loved to skinny dip – and smoke. One boy put his pipe in his pants before taking a dip and found his pants on fire after returning to shore. None of his cousins would lend him some pants, so he was forced to dash through his mother’s prayer group in the living room naked.
“We all love listening to Jeri tell these and many more stories,” said Executive Director Emilie Alfino. “It’s not only educational, but Jeri makes it fun. We’re very happy to be able to hold these sessions for our volunteers.”
Magg is the author of “Historic Sanibel & Captiva Islands: Tales of Paradise,” and “Remarkable Women of Sanibel & Captiva.” Both books are sold at the Sanibel Historical Village store.
At the next Volunteer Update on April 2, village volunteers will hear from Ann Walters of the old Harbor House Restaurant.
The Sanibel Historical Museum and Village is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. It is located at 950 Dunlop Road (next to BIG ARTS). Admission is $10 for adults over 18; those under 18 and members are free. Docent-guided tours are available at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at no extra charge, based upon docent availability. There is handicap access at the village. For information, call 472-4648 during business hours or visit www.sanibelmuseum.org.