The City was founded in 1884 by Colonel Isaac Trabue on 30 acres of land on the southern shore of Charlotte Harbor and was known as the Town of Trabue. On August 1, 1886 the first train of the Florida Southern Railroad arrived in the Town of Trabue, marking the beginning regular passenger service. In 1887, the name of the town was changed to Punta Gorda, Spanish for "Fat Point." Beginning in the 1890's, Punta Gorda became an important port for the shipment of cattle to Cuba. In 1891, gill net fishing for mullet, Spanish mackerel, and channel bass became profitable with the founding of the Consolidated Ice Manufacturing, Refrigeration and Fish Company. The thriving little City of Punta Gorda was finally incorporated and elected its first mayor, Mr. August Freeman, in 1900.

Most of Punta Gorda's downtown was destroyed by fire in 1905. After this disaster the City Council mandated that all new business structures be constructed of brick or concrete. With the completion of the first bridge across Charlotte Harbor in June of 1921, the great Florida land boom of the 1920's reached the fishing village of Punta Gorda. During this period, many of the City's key structures were built, including City Hall, the Old County Courthouse, and National Register Landmarks including the Punta Gorda Women's Club, Smith Arcade, Charlotte High School, and the Punta Gorda Atlantic Coast Line Depot. (Information provided by the City of Punta Gorda).

Things to Do

• Attractions
  
  • Babcock Wilderness Adventures
  • Florida International Air Show
  • King Fisher Fleet Tours
  • Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary
• Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center
• Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
• Farmer's Markets
  • History Park Farmer's Market
  • Punta Gorda Downtown Farmer's Market
• Fishermen's Village
• Historical
  • A.C. Freeman House
  • Blanchard House Museum
  • Military Heritage Museum
  • Mural Art Walk
  • Punta Gorda Train Depot & Antique Mall
• Muscle Car City
• Recreation & Leisure
• Punta Gorda Airport
• Trolley and Boat Tours
• Visual Arts Center

List of Schools

To see where your child would attend school within your district, you may use the boundary maps provided by Charlotte County Public Schools here. Please note that these maps are to be used as a guide only.

Elementary School
Deep Creek Elementary
East Elementary
Sallie Jones Elementary

Middle School
Punta Gorda Middle School

High School
Charlotte High School

Golf Courses

Blue Heron Pines Golf Course
Burnt Store Marina Country Club
Deep Creek Golf Club
Kings Island Golf Club
Saint Andrews South Golf Club
Seminole Lakes Country Club
Tern Bay Golf and Country Club
Twin Isles Country Club