Comments on: A brief history of Shell Key …

By: Pat LaMonica

Pat LaMonica — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:04:02 +0000

Born and raised in St. Pete (born 1950) One of my first memories was going on the shuttle with my grandmother out to Shell Key (we called it Shell Island then). She was an avid sheller and we’d spend hours walking the beach. If memory serves there was simply a rickety dock and a flagpole. If you had an emergency, you were supposed to run something (a towel?) up the flagpole and they would ‘come to your rescue’. Never had to try that one out. It was a lovely place, empty, pristine and so quiet. We always thought Pass-a-grille was quiet (remember this was the 50s!) but Shell Island was a paradise in a paradise.

By: Carol O'Bryon

Carol O'Bryon — Fri, 09 Sep 2022 20:44:54 +0000

Moved here in 1997. I joined a great group of folks called the Shell Key Boat Club. Still have my Shell Key tank top. Fridays we’d meet at The Wharf, those without boats would hop on board and head to Shell Key. Everyone brought a dish to share and the Wharf would bring a big grill, hamburgers, and a couple of kegs.
I also used to take my 35′ sailboat through the cut and around behind the island.
Too bad the county has been such a bad steward of the island.

By: Jack Coletti

Jack Coletti — Sat, 16 Oct 2021 15:23:47 +0000

In reply to Walter.

Hi Walter,

Thanks for sharing that bit of history. History is not always well recorded, so it’s great to hear from people that actually remember.

Clear Skies!

By: Walter

Walter — Sat, 16 Oct 2021 03:26:32 +0000

Is this the island known by some as Capt. Marshek’s Island. We used to go out to Shell Island in the sixties and my memory is that we could see Marshek’s from there. Spent the night few times in an old house to be out of the weather, otherwise it was right on the beach on Shell. Great Times, Cheers!

By: Jack Coletti

Jack Coletti — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 12:35:28 +0000

In reply to Fred Mertz.

Hi Fred,

Thanks for the tiptoe down memory lane 🙂 I once saw a hovercraft in Boca Ciega Bay near Bay Pines in the mid 70’s. Maybe it was the same one.

Cheers!

By: Fred Mertz

Fred Mertz — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 02:50:11 +0000

I used to go out with family and friends on boating weekends to the island back in the late 60’s. The parents would set up a canopy and make a sand pit bar b cue, while the kids would explore every inch of the island. We would sleep on our boats and then continue on Sunday. I distinctly remember being on the island once and this strange boat was coming directly at us. As it got closer and closer, we found out we were looking at a hovercraft! The first Id ever seen. It came right ashore and did a couple rounds and then headed back out to the Gulf. I remember all the kids were simply drop jawed at that one. There was a wicked current too by that island you had to be very careful swimming in.

By: Jack Coletti

Jack Coletti — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 15:55:52 +0000

In reply to Linda. Hi Linda, Thanks for the historical insight :-) If you have any images or other memorabilia from your Grandparents and the island I would love to post an article about it.

By: Linda

Linda — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 00:50:35 +0000

In reply to Jack Coletti. My grandparents owned Shell Key in the 1930’s & 40’s. They had a fishing biz off the Keys & would take folks out there to fish. After my Grandpa died in the 1950’s my Grandma sold it (sadly).

By: Britt Viehman

Britt Viehman — Sun, 28 May 2017 16:57:26 +0000

PMI or Pinellas Marine Institute had a youth program that brought at risk youth to that island to attempt to set them straight. That was in the 90’s. Not sure when that program ended.

By: Jack Coletti

Jack Coletti — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 19:05:18 +0000

In reply to Ken.

Hi Ken

As I understand it, that island was once privately owned and someone actually lived out there. The island was purchased by the state around 2000 – and leased to Pinellas county under the auspices of the Shell Key Management Plan. I don’t have a lot of information about the history, but I will poke around to see what I can find. Here is a publication with information about Ft. Desoto history. Hope this helps.