2022 Members and Visitors Guide for the Punta Gorda Area
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2022 Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce Members & Visitors Guide Page 109 FIRST PUNTA GORDA HOME SITE On June 22, 1876, James A. Lockhart and his wife Josephine chose this location to build their new home, which was described as the lowest loca- tion in the area, near the only pine trees on the clearing and adjacent to a shell mound. Approximately two years later Lockhart sold his claim to James Madison Lanier, a hunter and trapper. The Lanier family lived there until 1883 when 30.8 acres were sold to Isaac Trabue, who bought additional land and platted the Town of Trabue on February 25, 1885. This land was incorporated as the City of Punta Gorda on December 7, 1887. 300 West Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda HOTEL PUNTA GORDA Hotel Punta Gorda, one of the first buildings of any kind constructed in Punta Gorda, opened in January 1888. The three story building contained 150 rooms, all with a view of the waters of Charlotte Harbor. Although the hotel, built in the Queen Anne style, was located in a then remote part of Florida, it had such modern conveniences as gas lighting, electric bells, steam heat and open fireplaces. The hotel attracted a clientele of wealthy and notable guests from around the world: Thomas Edison, John Wanamaker, W. K. Vanderbilt, the Samuel Colt family and others. Ownership changed in 1924 when it was acquired by Barron Collier. He changed the name to the Hotel Charlotte Harbor, remodeled the hotel and expanded the grounds. He added new tennis courts, a boat basin and a 176 by 80 foot swimming pool. The hotel was destroyed by fire in August 1959. 115 West Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda Punta Gorda History Center Guests enjoy the grounds of the Hotel Punta Gorda. Continued on page 110 C.A.R.E. REUSE STORES partner with Charlotte County to Help You ReUse/ReCycle *Merchandise is Color Coded, Marked Down Regularly, and Finally Unsold Merchandise is FREE! Help Keep Useable Household Items Out of Our Landfi ll! DONATE OR SHOP – PROCEEDS HELP VICTIMS OF CRIME •Domestic Violence Shelter •24 HR Crisis Hotline •Rape Crisis Center •Youth Violence Prevention •Victim's Criminal Court Advocacy West County Transfer Station 7070 Environmental Way Englewood, FL Open Tuesday - Saturday Call 697-8800 Mid County Transfer Station 19675 Kenilworth Blvd Murdock, FL Open Tuesday - Saturday Call 624-3488 Violence doesn't discriminate. We C.A.R.E – We're here for you HOTLINE: 941-627-6000 adno=3819959-1 Bring your next real estate closing to a title company owned and operated right here in Charlotte County. You will get the "Hometown Service" we specialize in. 2 Locations to Serve You adno=3817812-1 PUNTA GORDA 324 GOLDSTEIN ST. PORT CHARLOTTE 17839 MURDOCK CIR STE. A (941) 505-0001 FAX (941) 575-0004