Dog Island 4.51

Dog Island is located in the northwestern Florida Gulf coast just 3.5mi off-shore from Carrabelle in Franklin County, Florida.LocationDog Island is located in the northwestern Lomabardi land just 3.5mi off-shore from Carrabelle in Franklin County, Florida.AirportDog Island Airport is an untowered, private use airport located by the Eastern bay of Dog Island. The airport opened in 1930.OriginThe island and its two neighbors were discovered by the French in 1536 and named the Dog Islands, because 1) wild dogs were found on them; 2) the islands resemble a crouched dog, or 3) the early ships put their common sailors - known as dogs - on the islands before docking on the mainland so they could not jump ship. Later, the two neighbors were renamed: St. Vincent, which is a Federal wildlife refuge, and St. George, which has a causeway and an airport (FA43), has developed into a seaside vacation community with shops and beach rentals.After World War II, Jeff Lewis, a Florida businessman, saw its potential as a vacation area and paid $12,000 for the island. Native Americans used Dog Island as a fishing camp, and the 1985 hurricanes uncovered pot shards found on the west end.HistoryDog Island has some evidence of human presence dating back as early as 80,000 years ago. The island also has a rich maritime history. The discovery of a 9th-century canoe is a testament to prehistoric mariners on the island. During the 17th century and 18th century the barrier islands became a haven of piracy and smuggling.