An exclusive island, home to the wealthy, has a mysterious history. We went behind the scenes of Useppa Island Florida, a 100-acre, private island that played an important role in preparation for the Bay of Pigs invasion. On a sunny day, the boat ride to Useppa is beautiful. But 60 years ago, one particular ride to the island was in the middle of the night, during a covert CIA operation. Agents shuttled Cuban exiles from Miami to an island in the middle of the Pine Island Sound. “They … [Read more...]
Living on a Sandbar of History
The preservation of human history and the environment that shaped it is a fascination to most people. Proof of that is found in the dedication of many volunteers and a few professionals to building and maintaining museums, even for the smallest of communities. Useppa is certainly one of the smallest, with our 100 acre, 1 ¼ mile long island occupied by just 115 homes, a club, and the Barbara Sumwalt Museum of the Useppa Island Historical Society. Created by passionate residents and a … [Read more...]
The Useppa Island – Casey Key Connection
The Useppa Island - Casey Key Connection Unknown to many residents of Southwest Florida, once upon a time the island of Guiseppe (now Useppa) was the site of Fort Casey, and temporary home to the US 7th Infantry Regiment. The post was named after Captain John C. Casey, a West Point graduate and veteran of the War with Mexico. The Infantry established their encampment on the high ground of Useppa, where 15 years earlier during the 2nd Seminole War, a wooden blockhouse had been built to … [Read more...]