Site of Hotel Punta Gorda -- The Sign

Sign indicating where the site of the old Hotel Punta Gorda was located later named the Hotel Charlotte Harbor.  Site was where what we now refer to as City Marketplace is -- the parking lot is the only thing there now on Marion across from River City Grill.  

Bee Descends on Tropical Bougainvillea in Punta Gorda Garden

Bee descends on bougainvillea flower in Punta Gorda garden

Birds in a Bush...Pelicans Rest in Mangroves off Charlotte Harbor

Pelicans in Mangroves off Charlotte Harbor near Punta Gorda

Not Quite Treehouse in Historic Area Garden Yard

Wandering in  Historic Area Admiring Lovely Garden Yards -- Here's one with a not-quite treehouse.  

For Veteran's Day "Lest We Forget" Punta Gorda Historic Mural

"Lest We Forget" Veterans Garden Mural by Liz Hutchinson.  

The mural was appropriately dedicated in a Commemorative Veterans Ceremony on Veterans Day (November 11) 2005 at the KIWANIS Veterans Garden in Laishley Park. It was a replica of the original mural on the old Punta Gorda post office.

Birds Hanging out Near the Harbor

Seagulls love to chirp with one another on the seawall lining Gilchrist Park 

The Hinckley-Harvey House -- One of the Oldest Houses in Punta Gorda (1887)

The Hinckley-Harvey House (here labelled on the sign as the Harvey House owned by the McCauley Family) on Retta Esplanade is one of the earliest homes built in Punta Gorda. Mr. Hinckley was a merchant, banker and freight shipper.   His widow married Kelly B. Harvey, the surveyor who platted the town of Trabue (incorporated in 1887 as the city of Punta Gorda).

 

View of the Harbor and 41 Bridge from Gilchrist Park in Punta Gorda

Blue Water under cerulean sky -- with a view of the 41 Bridge.  

Nearly Century Old First United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda

Nearly Century-old First United Methodist Church  in the heart of Punta Gorda's historic district was established in 1886, building erected in 1912.  

Lovely Garden in Historic District in Punta Gorda

Private Garden in Historic Area of Punta Gorda 

Ponce Points Up to the Skies over Punta Gorda

Ponce De Leon Statue in Gilchrist Park.  He seems to know he found a great place.  

Storm Clouds Gather

Storm brings needed rain to our tropical lands

Vined Canopy provides shade on Downtown Punta Gorda Street

Walking in Downtown Punta Gorda -- A lovely tropical street Garden

Even the Dog Houses Have Air-Conditioning in Punta Gorda

Even the dog houses have air-conditioning in our tropical climate!

Exotic Sausage Tree Blooms in Downtown Punta Gorda

This exotic tree has large sausage-like pods hanging from stalks -- hence its name.  The blood-red flowers of the sausage tree bloom at night on long, ropelike stalks hang down from the limbs of this tropical tree.