Some of Sanibel's most shocking images showing the island devoid of beachfront homes and condos were taken from the air well before the causeway was built, visitors had to take the Ferry from Punta Rassa, or fly in on a small plane.
Located off Casa Ybel Road near what it now called Airport Way was a grass airfield that hosted many small planes in its two plus decades in existence. When condominiums began sprouting up along West Gulf Drive a 2600-foot runway was far too short to be viable airfield. The FAA closed the runway in 1979 after a series of accidents—one involving a plane cartwheeling across the road to land in a condo courtyard.
Take a look at this footage taken of Sanibel from the air before the island was developed. It is an amazing journey back in time.