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

Punta Gorda Railroad Depot

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, May 14, 2015

1. Punta Gorda Railroad Depot Marker

Inscription. Plans to build the railroad depot in Punta Gorda began in 1928. Although the trains carried passengers, the main purpose was for shipping fish to northern markets. The Punta Gorda depot is the only remaining one of this style built by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. Its design incorporated the Spanish Mission style features used by Atlantic Coast Line in six Florida depots. The original work was awarded to the R.W. Burrows Construction Company of Bartow. By 1971 the depot was closed to freight traffic and purchased by Fred C. Babcock, who donated the site to Old Punta Gorda, Inc., in 1996. In 1998 volunteers began to restore the building. The former "Colored" waiting room features pictures of area pioneers and local prominent African Americans. The former "White" waiting room includes other exhibits. The ticket office now includes railroad memorabilia, historic items from the local fishing industry and nostalgic items from World War II (1941-1945) troop arrivals to Charlotte County. In August 2004 the depot was hit by Hurricane Charlie {sic}, but it has since been restored as a Punta Gorda landmark. The depot was placed

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

Erected 2007 by Sponsored by Old Punta Gorda, Inc. DBA Punta Gorda Historical Society and The Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-608.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 26° 55.78′ N, 82° 2.755′ W. Marker is in Punta Gorda, Florida, in Charlotte County. It is at the intersection of Taylor Road and Carmalita Street, on the right when traveling south on Taylor Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1009 Taylor Road, Punta Gorda FL 33950, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s 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 Culture,

one of the Confederate States

Punta Gorda Railroad Depot front view from marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, May 14, 2015

2. Punta Gorda Railroad Depot front view from marker

of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Punta Gorda Atlantic Coast Line Depot (a few steps from this marker); Charlotte County Courthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hector House Plaza: The Founding of Punta Gorda (approx. 0.4 miles away); Charlotte High School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bailey Brothers Park (approx. half a mile away); City of Punta Gorda (approx. half a mile away); The Punta Gorda Bank (approx. half a mile away); Albert Waller Gilchrist (approx. half a mile 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. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Punta Gorda Historic Railroad Depot. (Submitted on February 22, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)

Punta Gorda Railroad Depot White and Colored entrances image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, May 14, 2015

3. Punta Gorda Railroad Depot White and Colored entrances

Punta Gorda Railroad Depot rearview image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, May 14, 2015

4. Punta Gorda Railroad Depot rearview

Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 22, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 698 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 22, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.