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

Site of Hotel Punta Gorda

Photographed by Paul F, June 17, 2010

1. Site of Hotel Punta Gorda Marker

Inscription. Hotel Punta Gorda, one the first buildings of any kind constructed in Punta Gorda, opened in January 1888 and served over 3300 guests within its first season. The three story building contained 150 rooms, all with a view of the waters of Charlotte Harbor. The hotel, built in the Queen Anne style, included clapboard siding, multi-paned windows, round conical roofed towers, and a hipped roof. Although located in a then remote part of Florida, the hotel had such modern conveniences as gas lighting, electric bells, steam heat and open fireplaces. Roses draped over the railings of the extensive veranda, and the grounds were landscaped with camphor trees and palms. The hotel attracted a clientele of wealthy and notable guests from around the world: Thomas Edison, John Wanamaker, W.K. Vanderbilt, the Samuel Colt family and others. There was a period when the hotel declined, ownership changed and in 1924 was acquired by Barron Collier. He changed the name to the Hotel Charlotte Harbor, remodeled the hotel and expanded the grounds. He stuccoed the exterior, added a fourth floor ballroom and arches to the porch, giving the hotel

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elements of the Spanish Eclectic style. He added new tennis courts, a boat basin and a 176 by 80 foot swimming pool. The hotel flourished again with many famous guests, but after some hard times it was destroyed by fire in August 1959.

Erected 2008 by Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1888.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 26° 56.121′ N, 82° 3.068′ W. Marker was in Punta Gorda, Florida, in Charlotte County. It was at the intersection of W Marion Ave and Taylor St, on the right when traveling west on W Marion Ave. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Punta Gorda FL 33950, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was on the Gulf Coast.

It was also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was

Photographed by Paul F, June 17, 2010

2. Site of Hotel Punta Gorda Marker

North side of marker

once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian 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 location: Hector House Plaza: The Founding of Punta Gorda (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Charlotte County Courthouse (about 500 feet away); The Punta Gorda Bank (about 600 feet away); City of Punta Gorda (approx. 0.2 miles away); Albert Waller Gilchrist (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Punta Gorda Home Site (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Trabue Plat And Waterfront Parks (approx. ¼ mile away); Combat Wounded Veterans (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Punta Gorda.

More about this marker. This marker was destroyed by Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022.

Regarding Site of Hotel Punta Gorda. Subject property is now a vacant lot and small parking lot.

Photographed by Paul F, June 17, 2010

3. Site of Hotel Punta Gorda Marker

South side of marker

Photographed by Paul F, June 17, 2010

4. Site of Hotel Punta Gorda Marker

The current vacant lot and parking area can be seen in this view.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 5,115 times since then and 447 times this year. Last updated on February 12, 2023, by Kelly Gaylord of Punta Gorda, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 29, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.