Punta Gorda in Charlotte County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

First Punta Gorda Home Site

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 10, 2021

1. First Punta Gorda Home Site Marker

Inscription. 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 location in the area, near the only pine trees on the clearing and adjacent to a shell mound. The couple camped on this site while erecting their home, and Lockhart dug a well, finding excellent water where two previous settlers had found only salt water. On July 28, the schooner Santa Maria arrived with their personal belongings and the Lockharts occupied the structure. They planted a vegetable garden and lemon, lime and orange trees, and also raised pigs, goats and chickens. The October 20th hurricane brought torrential rain and the Lockharts found their home standing in two feet of water. They rode out the storm with three alligator hunters who sought refuge with 13 recent kills. Fish were plentiful, especially mullet and tarpon. Alligators, bears, panthers and deer populated the area. Mail came by schooner from Key West.

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

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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.

Erected 2008 by Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is June 22, 1876.

Location. 26° 56.075′ N, 82° 3.26′ W. Marker is in Punta Gorda, Florida, in Charlotte County. It is at the intersection of West Retta Esplanade and Harvey Street, on the left when traveling north on West Retta Esplanade. Marker is located in Gilchrist Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 West Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda FL 33950, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Gulf Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 10, 2021

2. First Punta Gorda Home Site Marker

Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Trabue Plat And Waterfront Parks (within shouting distance of this marker); Albert Waller Gilchrist (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); City of Punta Gorda (about 500 feet away); The Punta Gorda Bank (about 600 feet away); Juan Ponce de Leon - Discoverer of Florida (about 700 feet away); Hector House Plaza: The Founding of Punta Gorda (approx. ¼ mile away); Charlotte County Courthouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Isaac H. Trabue - Founder of Punta Gorda (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Punta Gorda.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Site of Hotel Punta Gorda (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 865 times since then and 82 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 25, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.