Palm Island History:

Development and Community Legacy

1930’s Aerial View of the Island from Don Pedro State Park

“It is said that you can’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been. Here is a compilation of Island lore and facts, and a look at P.I.E.’s role in our past.”

Historical Timeline of Deveopment

1. 1922: New Pass Haven on Thornton Key was platted, marking the earliest subdivision on the Islands.

2. 1957: Bland and Pruitt, owners of a lumber company in Georgia, purchased a parcel of raw land on Palm Island and platted over 550 lots, naming it Palm Island Estates.

3. 1957-1959: Bland and Pruitt developed Palm Island Estates by installing utilities in Units 1, 2, and 4 and constructing three bridges:
– A small bridge across Bocilla Lagoon connecting Unit 4 to the Gulf side.
– A larger bridge joining Knight Island to Don Pedro Island.
– A bridge connecting the island to the mainland, where the current ferry operates.

4. 1957: Pruitt incorporated Palm Island Estates, Inc. to develop Unit 4 and registered a set of deed restrictions for 30 years.

5. 1964: The Army Corps of Engineers activated plans to dredge the Intracoastal Waterway, leading to the dismantling of the small bridge connecting the island to the mainland. This change forced the island into a period of quiet, accessible only by boat.

6. 1980: Homeowners formed the Palm Island Estates Association, Inc. to preserve the natural environment of Knights and Don Pedro Islands. Development took off soon afterward.

7. 1980: A Plan of Development for the Palm Island Resort was approved.

8. 1982:
– Palm Island Transit began transporting building materials via ferry.
– Colony Don Pedro’s Phases I, II, and III began development.

9. 1983: Palm Island Resort opened to the public, requiring visitors to park on the mainland and take transit boats to the island.

10. 1982: The all-volunteer fire brigade was established, and the first fire station was set up between the bridges.

11. 1990: Bocilla Utility, Inc. was created to serve water to the Island south of the Resort, and a new fire station, Station 10, was built on Gasparilla Way.

12. 1986-1988: Two additional phases of Colony Don Pedro (IV and V) were developed, along with Pointe Bocilla and The Beach Place.

13. 1990: Three additional subdivisions were platted: Bocilla Beach to Bay, Rum Bay Preserve, and Sabal Palm Pointe.

14. 1992: The original wooden bridges on Don Pedro needed replacing, resulting in the reconstruction of the Anne Merry Bridge and the Michael Kosinsky Bridge.

15. 1990s: Hidden Cove Estates and The Preserve at Don Pedro were platted.

16. 2004: Thirty lots in New Pass Haven were deeded to the County for preservation.

17. Present Day: The community is described as primarily a single-family, residential, waterfront area with no crowds, traffic, or commercialism, emphasizing a quality of life centered around outdoor activities.

The Evolution of Palm Island Estates

Volunteers Cleaning Island Easements

D.G. Bland and James A. Pruitt’s Vision: They envisioned Palm Island Estates as an upscale community featuring oversized waterfront lots and homes. In 1957, they incorporated Palm Island Estates, Inc. specifically to develop Unit 4, the final phase of P.I.E., and registered a set of strict deed restrictions that prohibited tents, trailers, temporary buildings, poultry, and shrubbery taller than three feet. Gulf-front and bayfront homes were required to have a minimum floor area of 1,000 square feet (900 for inside lots).

– Infrastructure Developments: The developers dredged and widened Kettle Harbor and Bocilla Lagoon and created new canals now known as the “T” Canal and Block “J” Canal. They sold properties, leading to the construction of seven cement-block homes, anticipating growth similar to neighboring Manasota Key.

– Bridge Dismantling Impact: The dismantling of the small bridge connecting the island to the mainland in 1964 resulted in the island becoming a quiet, rustic community that was accessible only by boat for many years.

– Formation of the Association: In 1980, homeowners formed the Palm Island Estates Association, Inc. to preserve the natural environment and ecology of Knights and Don Pedro Islands. Membership was voluntary and included lot owners and any residents who had occupied a dwelling in P.I.E. for over twelve months.

– Transportation and Resort Opening Details: After the Palm Island Resort opened in 1983, visitors were required to park on the mainland and use transit boats, specifically “Palm Island I” and “Palm Island II,” to access the island, with luggage transported on a barge. A trolley service was also available for moving guests.

– Fire Services and Utility Development: In 1982, an all-volunteer fire brigade was established, with the first fire station set up between the bridges. Bocilla Utility, Inc. was created around 1990 to provide water services to areas of the island south of the Resort.

– Transportation Services Expansion: “Island Transit,” run by a local entrepreneur, began transporting Islanders from Panama Blvd. to the island via a “people ferry” in the early 1980s. In 1988, Island Transit merged with Palm Island Transit, which expanded into a daily ferry service transporting vehicles to the island.

– Additional Subdivisions and Developments: Between 1986 and 1990, additional phases of Colony Don Pedro (IV and V) were developed, along with Pointe Bocilla and The Beach Place. New subdivisions, including Bocilla Beach to Bay, Rum Bay Preserve, and Sabal Palm Pointe, were platted by the end of 1990.

– Changing Environment and Preservation Efforts: In 2004, 30 lots in New Pass Haven were deeded to the County for preservation, reflecting efforts to maintain the natural environment despite development pressures.

– Community Governance: The Palm Island Estates Association was reorganized to include all island subdivisions, promoting cooperation among property owners on Knight Island, Don Pedro Island, Palm Island, and Thornton Key. Its aim is to provide a representative voice in civic affairs and for the mutual welfare of all islands, maintaining an annual average membership of 240.

Become a Member

About PIE

Palm Island Estates Association, Inc. (PIE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the unique island community of Knight Island, Palm Island, Don Pedro Island, and Thornton Key. Originally incorporated in 1980 to preserve the islands’ natural environment, PIE continues to serve as a representative voice for property owners, advocating for civic and community interests while fostering a strong sense of community among residents and visitors.

OUR MISSION:

Promoting cooperation among all island property owners, offering a representative voice in civic and community affairs, and assisting in maintaining our island paradise environment.

What We Do

PIE plays a vital role in preserving the beauty, culture, community, and well-being of our islands through a variety of initiatives:

Supporting our community by sharing timely and relevant island updates.
Representing the island in civic matters, engaging with local authorities such as the Charlotte County Board of Commissioners, Palm Island Transit, Fire Department, and Sheriff’s Department.
Enhancing infrastructure and services by working with local officials and advocating for residents’ needs.
Building connections through social events that bring residents and visitors together.
Encouraging youth involvement in community service and education through scholarships and volunteer opportunities.
Protecting our environment by partnering with organizations like the Bocilla Islands Conservancy, Inc. and the Don Pedro/Knight Island Sea Turtle Patrol.