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Punta Gorda History Center featured in Charlotte Sun today

The Hibiscus King's Historic Fisherman's Cottage Built in a Day has stood on Retta Esplanade over 115 Years

The original fisherman's cottage built in 1900 at 621 Retta Esplanade has been remodeled and expanded over the years.   "The Goulding Cottage," which was for many years the home of Harry "Pete" Goulding,  Punta Gorda's  Hibiscus King,  who created over 60 varieties of our town's favorite bloom, is a prime  example of one of the many “fishermen’s cottages” that once overlooked the harbor.  They have been referred to as  “dark to dark” houses because two men could  build one in one day's light-time hours.

Remarkably the cottage withstood hurricanes and time, and remains on Retta among the stately Victorians that now grace the Esplanade.  

For Easter - Punta Gorda's First Church Sanctuary Building

This First Baptist Church pictured here was, as best can be determined, the first Christian sanctuary to be built in Punta Gorda as a church.  (The first church was in a community building that served as both a school and a church for Methodists and Baptists).  The Baptists were the second group to organize a congregation here in the 1880s.  The original congregation consisted of nine members. Among the original congregation were James L. and Mary L. (nee Seward) Sandlin, James M. and Martha (nee Sandlin) Morgan, and Mrs. Nancy Linquish. 

This church  structure built between 1891 and 1895 was on the corner of Marion and Cross (41 South).  It was sold by the church to the Rebekah's for a lodge in the 1960s and later became a bridal store.  Then on August 13, 2004 the winds of Hurricane Charley took it down in minutes.  

Burnt Store Road History Revealed

Long shrouded in mystery, Burnt Store Road now winds itself from somewhere near Taylor Road, abruptly ends at Jones Loop and picks up again across 41 to meander down through Charlotte County into Lee past Burnt Store Marina.  Many of Punta Gorda's communities have been built along the road, and residents are frequently curious about the origins of its name.

Graham Segger, a seasonal resident of Burnt Store Marina, was one of those and has spent considerable time researching both the name and the history.  Before Vernon Peeples passing, he too was curious and researched and wrote about the history much of which he shared with Mr. Segger.  

Mr. Segger will conduct a class Wednesday, February 24 from 10-11:30 at  The Renaissance Academy, Florida Gulf Coast, 117 Herald Court.  Based on his research and recent ebook, "Where Do We Live, Research by a Seasonal Resident of Burnt Store Road," Mr. Segger will reveal much about the history, geography, environment, and development of the area.   

To register: go to www.fgcu.edu/hcc or email nstaub@fgcu.edu or call (941) 505-0130.  Class is $18.