Who were the first colonists and pioneers on Sanibel?
Due to its fine harbor, pleasant climate and rich soil for farming, Sanibel was the focus of many as a great location for a town. In 1832 workmen were taken to the island to construct five palmetto thatched huts. Dr. Benjamin B. Strobel, a Key West physician and friend of John J. Audubon joined the colonists. The first colonists arrived from New York via Key West on the schooner “Olynthus” and the sloop “Associate”. It is not certain when and exactly why these colonists left, but by 1849, the islands were abandoned. Many Spanish fisheries were located throughout the waters surrounding “San Ybel” and “Captive”. The fishermen would take their dried salted catch to Havana to sell. When Florida was bought from Spain, every effort was made to drive the Spanish fishermen from the waters to benefit the American Settlers. During the Government’s full scale effort to eradicate the Seminole Indians from Florida, the fighting placed the Spanish fishermen in the cross fire. They were forcefully “e
