LaBelle in Hendry County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Downtown LaBelle Historic District
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 26, 2014
1. Downtown LaBelle Historic District Marker
In 1895, prominent landowner and cattleman Captain Francis A. Hendry (1833-1917) platted a townsite at LaBelle, which was first settled as a center for cattle and citrus industries. A post office, general store, school, and a church were eventually built, and LaBelle became the first town and commercial center in what became Hendry County. Although Hendry is credited with settling LaBelle, E.E. Goodno (1858-1936), who purchased Hendry’s former land holdings in 1903 and financed many of the town’s first improvements, is recognized as the “Father of LaBelle.” LaBelle’s historic business district extends along and near Bridge Street from the Caloosahatchee River south to Hickpockee Avenue. At one time, both sides of the street were lined with commercial establishments, some of which feature living accommodations on the second floor. Sadly, many early downtown buildings were destroyed in a 1928 fire, but some have survived, including the Poole Store (1911), First Bank of LaBelle (1925), and the Royal Poinciana/Newcomb Bakery (1911-1912 -– one of the buildings constructed for both commercial and residential use). The Downtown LaBelle Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Erected 2001 by City of LaBelle and the Florida Department of State
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.
Location. 26° 46.063′ N, 81° 26.235′ W. Marker is in LaBelle, Florida, in Hendry County. Marker is at the intersection of Bridge Street (State Road 29) and Park Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Bridge Street. The marker is located near the entrance to Barron Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Labelle FL 33935, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Experimental Rotary Steam Engine (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Old Betsy" (approx. 0.2 miles away); You Are Not Forgotten (approx. 0.4 miles away); Nicholas J Cutinha (approx. 0.4 miles away); Honor The Dead By Serving The Living (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Price of Freedom (approx. 0.4 miles away); Dedicated to our Veterans (approx. 0.4 miles away); All Gave Some .... Some Gave All (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in LaBelle.
Also see . . .
1. The City Under the Oaks. LaBelle, "the belle of the Caloosahatchee," had its beginning as a settlement in the 1880s when the Caloosahatchee River began to play a part in Philadelphia entrepreneur Hamilton Disstons
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 26, 2014
2. Downtown LaBelle Historic District Marker (wide view)
Drawbridge carrying U.S. Highway 29 across the Caloosahatchee River is visible in the right-side background. Barron Park is visible in the left-side background.
2. Swamp Cabbage Festival. The LaBelle Swamp Cabbage Festival is held every year on the last full weekend in February in LaBelle at Barron Park.
It is a local celebration (parade, music, food, entertainment) to honor the official state tree, the sabal (cabbage) palm, by eating it. The heart of the cabbage palm is prepared into swamp cabbage or fritters (each a southern Florida Cracker vegetable delicacy) and the focus of the celebration. So, if you've got a hankering for swamp cabbage or just want to see what it looks like... or taste it, then this festival is for you. (Submitted on March 26, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 26, 2014
3. Barron Park Sign
The Downtown LaBelle Historic District Marker is visible, edge-on, just beyond the right side of the Barron Park sign.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 26, 2014
4. Welcome to LaBelle
Welcome sign at the LaBelle City Wharf, on the Caloosahatchee River, across U.S. Highway 29 from the Downtown LaBelle Historic District marker.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 26, 2014
5. Drawbridge Across Caloosahatchee River
LaBelle's downtown historic district begins at Park Avenue, just south of the drawbridge.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 26, 2014
6. Downtown LaBelle Historic District
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 26, 2014
7. Giant Live Oak Trees
Giant Live Oak trees, covered with Spanish Moss, can be seen in Barron Park and throughout the city of LaBelle.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 26, 2014
8. Hendry County CourtHouse
Downtown LaBelle's Hendry County Courthouse is one of the district's buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 26, 2014
9. Hendry County Courthouse (front detail)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 26, 2014
10. Hendry County Courthouse
National Register of Historic Places marker at the Hendry County Courthouse in LaBelle.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,182 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on March 26, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
