Punta Gorda in Charlotte County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Hector House Plaza: The Founding of Punta Gorda
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, April 18, 2014
1. Hector House Plaza: The Founding of Punta Gorda Marker
Inscription.
Hector House Plaza: The Founding of Punta Gorda. . On December 3, 1887, 34 men in the "Town of Trabue" met here in a two-story building, built in 1887, owned by Tom Hector. The diverse group of landlords, tenants, merchants and workers, some white and some black, were all qualified voters. At the time of the meeting, the ground floor was the location of a drug store and the second story was Hector's billiards hall. Above the drug store, at a pool table, the men passed the articles of incorporation by a two-thirds majority. They selected a city seal, a council and the corporate name of Punta Gorda. Although politically active locally and in his native Kentucky, town founder Col. Isaac Trabue had not registered to vote on this issue and was barred from the balloting. Trabue had begun acquiring land in early 1883. He had the land platted, reserving the shoreline for public use and naming streets for family members. Having given up half his holdings for rail service, a depot and a luxury hotel, he was angered by the settlers' ingratitude. The documents were filed at Pine Level, the county seat, on December 7, 1887. Trabue sued to dissolve the municipality and regain title to the public lands. Ten years later he gave up. The Hector House was demolished in 1988.
On December 3, 1887, 34 men in the "Town of Trabue" met here in a two-story building, built in 1887, owned by Tom Hector. The diverse group of landlords, tenants, merchants and workers, some white and some black, were all qualified voters. At the time of the meeting, the ground floor was the location of a drug store and the second story was Hector's billiards hall. Above the drug store, at a pool table, the men passed the articles of incorporation by a two-thirds majority. They selected a city seal, a council and the corporate name of Punta Gorda. Although politically active locally and in his native Kentucky, town founder Col. Isaac Trabue had not registered to vote on this issue and was barred from the balloting. Trabue had begun acquiring land in early 1883. He had the land platted, reserving the shoreline for public use and naming streets for family members. Having given up half his holdings for rail service, a depot and a luxury hotel, he was angered by the settlers' ingratitude. The documents were filed at Pine Level, the county seat, on December 7, 1887. Trabue sued to dissolve the municipality and regain title to the public lands. Ten years later he gave up. The Hector House was demolished in 1988.
Erected 2008 by The City of Punta Gorda and the Florida Department of State. (Marker
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Number F-639.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is December 3, 1887.
Location. 26° 56.06′ N, 82° 3.035′ W. Marker is in Punta Gorda, Florida, in Charlotte County. Marker is at the intersection of Taylor Street and Olympia Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Taylor Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 223 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda FL 33950, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Hector House Plaza: The Founding of Punta Gorda Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 229 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on February 21, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
