Images of America – Punta Gorda, Florida

Book Captures City’s History from Frontier to Sportsman's Paradise

Aug 22, 2009

Punta Gorda, Florida, historians Ann M. O'Phelan and Scot Shively capture the Southwest Florida city's rich historical past in a new book in the Images of America series.

Back in the day, the Southwest Florida city of Punta Gorda was a frontier town later recognized as Sportsman's Paradise for the ample recreational fishing opportunities on Charlotte Harbor. Authors Ann M. O'Phelan, Scot Shively, the Blanchard House Museum of African American History and Punta Gorda Historical Society have collaborated to share important and interesting snapshots from the city’s past to show readers how Punta Gorda has become the charming, Southern city it is today. The result is Images of America: Punta Gorda (2009) an engaging pictorial history book.

Punta Gorda touches on the city's early history including when the Calusa Indians inhabited the area about 3,000 years ago and visits by Spanish explorers during the 16th century but the primary focus is on the late 19th and 20th centuries. Although one chapter in the book is devoted specifically to people, "Early Settlers," Punta Gorda’s intriguing citizens of years past are sprinkled throughout the pages. Readers will meet a Tuskegee Airman, learn about tin can tourists and the tie between a whooping crane and moonshine. Many of Punta Gorda’s political leaders are included, too.

Portion of the profits from Images of America: Punta Gorda is being donated to the Blanchard House Museum and Punta Gorda Historical Society. African Americans played a significant role throughout Punta Gorda's history and this book includes many of those important people including the city’s founders. Several images show segregation when Jim Crow laws of “separate but equal” ruled. These photos are a reminder of how far civil rights have progressed.

Charlotte Harbor, named after British Queen Charlotte who was the wife of King George III, served as a resource for many of Punta Gorda’s industries. Commercial fishing, agriculture, phosphate mining and tourism shaped the city’s economy. Readers may be surprised at some of the crops harvested in Punta Gorda as well as the important food source raised in the city for the Confederacy during the Civil War.

Gone are the tin can tourists from Punta Gorda’s past yet in the 21st century, the Southwest Florida city is still popular with visitors and seasonal residents. Images of America: Punta Gorda is a handy resource for those traveling to the Southwest Florida city with an interest in history. Several buildings included in the book – with many on the National Register of Historic Places - still stand today and with Punta Gorda, a downtown map and a bit of planning, visitors can embark on a walking tour to see the city’s past. New and longtime Punta Gorda residents will appreciate the historical snippets and gain a better understanding of the community’s beginnings.

Images of America: Punta Gorda, by Ann M. O’Phelan and Scot Shively with the Blanchard House and the Punta Gorda Historical Society, $21.99 Arcadia Publishing. The pictorial history book is available at local retailers, online bookstores, or through Arcadia Publishing’s Web site or (888) 313-2665.

In addition to Images of America: Punta Gorda, a 15-postcard set is available with some of the book’s historic images. Called Postcards of America: Punta Gorda, the packet is $7.99 and also published by Arcadia Publishing.

The copyright of the article Images of America – Punta Gorda, Florida in American History is owned by Jennifer Huber. Permission to republish Images of America – Punta Gorda, Florida in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.