Vernon Peeples: Living History featured talk at Punta Gorda Literary Fair

As part of the 2017 Punta Gorda Literary Fair, on March 7 at 6 p.m. at Herald Court Center, Theresa Murtha and James Abraham will speak about Vernon Peeples: Living History. The ticket price of $35 includes a copy of the book (which retails for $39.99).

Vernon Peeples was a pre-eminent Floridian who represented Punta Gorda and Southwest Florida. He was both a history maker and a historian. His two books on Punta Gorda rank as the standard works on the city in which he grew up.

Theresa Murtha, curator of The Punta Gorda History Center; and James Abraham, editor and publisher of Vernon Peeples’ second book, will share perspectives about the public servant and the historian.

Admission includes a copy of Vernon Peeples, Punta Gorda: In The Beginning, a full-color extravaganza of maps, charts, and rare photographs of Southwest Florida.

The House that Abe Built

It was 1887 and Epfraem Goldstein had moved to the new town of Trabue to start a new life for his family.  He had a store built at the corner of Marion and Cross. Soon though he wanted his family to join him.   So, he hired carpenters to quickly build a house, the first one built in the actual town.    Two hundred men built it in one day. 

Labelled the Pioneer House, the building served both as a restaurant, boarding house and home to Abe, his wife, Friederike, and son, Harry.   A story told says as Abe and Issac Trabue got on in years the animosity between the town's founder and Abe grew.  To the point that Abe would curse Trabue every time he passed the house.   One day, Trabue tiring of this, the legend goes, threatened that he would kill Abe if he cursed him again.  Abe ran in the house, fearing Trabue's threats, Trabue fearing Abe was going for a gun ran in the other direction.  From then on, Abe never cursed the founder again.

The house fell into disrepair and was condemned after standing 81 years.  The house built in one day, was torn down in three.

Holiday Greetings from Punta Gorda Business Men almost 100 years ago

Almost 100 years ago, Punta Gorda business men thanked their customers and wished them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  

Governor Gilchrist's Halloween Gift

Albert Gilchrist, early Punta Gordan and only Punta Gordan to become Governor of Florida, didn't have children of his own.  He loved kids though.  When he walked down Marion Avenue, he frequently gave kids pennies he kept in his pocket so they could buy ice cream or candy from the local store near his apartment above his realty business.

But he forecast a day, he wouldn't be able to give the kids this present.  In his will, in addition to generous bequeaths to numerous local charities, for example,  funds benefitting he local high school, funds for poor children, he specified something very special to be used on Halloween.

He said in his will:

"It has been my custom, when in Punta Gorda on Hallowe'en night, to set up to all the boys and girls at one of the drug stores generally ice cream-cones; I want the Lodge (Masons) to continue this custom, using a part of the interest (principal he left the Lodge). It costs little and affords much happiness."

So the Masons continue this tradition.  And tonight, Halloween, and every Halloween, they continue the gift in Gilchrist Park, the park Punta Gorda named after its famous citizen and generally good guy.

From Dilapidated Fishing Dock to Major Southwest Florida Tourist Attraction

Forty years ago the dilapidated dock at the edge of the historic area of Punta Gorda was an eyesore for the City.  On top of that, Florida visitors who had stopped by the town and residents seeking places to shop either soon found or already knew that they had to keep going, either to Fort Myers to Sarasota.  That ended, with a vision of three gentlemen who saw the opportunity to turn the old dock into a shopping/tourist attraction with a New England fishing village theme.  Don Donelsen, a local developer, radio personality Earl Nightingale and publisher Bob Anderson imagined a complex with a fine dining restaurant, shops, apartments, a marina, a total entertainment complex for families.  Fishermen's Village was born.  Forty years later, as the Village expands and improves, the 2nd largest tourist attraction in Southwest Florida has come a long way.