Jose Rodriguez your Venice & Gulf Coast Realtor® PalmerHouse Properties Tel. 941-584-7271 Email
Punta Gorda the county seat of Charlotte County and occupies a point where the Peace River meets Charlotte Harbor. It is approximately 100 miles south of Tampa on the Gulf Coast with easy access from I-75.The community name is derived from Spanish means "Broad Point" and dates back to the landing of Ponce de Leon in 1513. As of the of 2000 Census, there were 14,344 people.
The first settlers came to Charlotte Harbor about a decade after the close of the Civil War. Less than ten years after the first settlements in the area, railroads rolled into town and Punta Gorda became the southernmost stop on the American railroad, attracting the industries which propelled its initial growth. In 1921, the first bridge was constructed connecting Punta Gorda and Charlotte Harbor along the brand new Tamiami Trail. This small bridge was replaced by the Barron Collier Bridge in 1931, and then by the current bridge crossing the Peace River.
Today, Punta Gorda is one of the fastest developing towns in the area. After the hurricane season of 2004, the city took the opportunity to replace some of the damaged buildings with brand new, beautiful boutiques and cafes. Punta Gorda has been constantly ranked as one of the top places in the United States to own a business, and it is also one of the most sought after places to buy a home.
There is plenty of waterfront in this town, and a very nice riverfront beach area. Here you can enjoy swimming, fishing, canoeing, hiking and walking in the woods. The beautifully renovated downtown has cobblestone streets and gaslights, and many fine shops and restaurants, along with street art, water views and 20 murals that enliven the compact, historic downtown district. Other places to visit include the Florida Adventure Museum, the Ponce de Leon Historical Park and Peace River Wildlife Center. Off the beaten path, just southeast of town, is a wilderness adventure ranch where you can take a 90-minute swamp buggy excursion through a variety of ecosystems. There’s also a three-hour bike tour with bikes and helmets provided.
