Sanibel History

Calusa Indians dominated the region. Archaeological evidence confirms their settlement of Sanibel. Ponce de Leon is said to be the first European to discover Sanibel, and nearby Captiva, on a voyage in 1513.
1513 – Ponce de Leon visits area noted on charts as “S. Nivel”  (origin of Sanibel name)
1521 – Ponce de Leon leads first attempt to establish a Spanish colony at Punta Rassa but fails due to Calusa resistance
1736 – All remaining Calusa believed to have fled to Cuba
1750 – Cuban fishermen begin to establish fishing camps on Sanibel

1833 – “Sanybel” platted into lots offered for sale by a New York investment
group
1868 – Attempt to cultivate castor beans on Sanibel
1875 – Census reports 0 population on Sanibel

1884 – Sanibel Lighthouse was built on East End, lit in 1885. Homesteaders began settling in Sanibel.

1890s – Boarding houses and hotels became destinations for winter visitors and sport fishermen.

1894 – Post office on East End established
1896 – Schoolhouse for white children deeded; 2004 moved to the Historical Village
1897 – Post Office built for Wulfert area; Sanibel Packing Company established by Bailey family
1898 – Burnap Cottage built by Sam Woodring; 1996 moved to Historical Village
1900 – Population of Sanibel reaches 300

1913 – Rutland house built by W.D. Swint; 1982 moved to Historical Village

1916 – The Shell Show begins at The Mathews

Ferry service was established in 1925. When the “Great Miami” hurricane of 1926 devastated island crops, commercial agriculture essentially ended on Sanibel. Tourism became the prominent industry of the island.

1924 – Shore Haven built by Ross and Daisy Mayer; 2012 moved to Historical Village

1926 – Post Office rebuilt by Postmaster William Reed; 1993 moved to Historical Village

1926 – Morning Glories built by Martin and AdaMayer; 2001 moved to Historical Village

1927 – Sanibel Packing Company d/b/a Bailey’s General Store rebuilt by Bailey family; 1992 moved to Historical Village

1945 – First land preserved for Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge, basis for J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge

1963 – Connects Sanibel to Punta Rassa (mainland), toll $3

1974 – Sanibel was incorporated as a city and declared a moratorium on any new construction until a land use plan could be established.
1975 – Committee of the Islands (COTI) formed
1976 – Comprehensive Land Use Plan, known as the Sanibel Plan, written and implemented

2010 – Sanibel purchases lighthouse and land from Federal government