Punta Gorda History Park:

 

​In May 1994, more than 1,000 citizens joined PGHS, showing strong community support for preserving the city’s “Old Florida” heritage. In May 1994, the Punta Gorda City Council responded by designating about two acres at Shreve and Henry Streets as a site for relocating at-risk historic buildings. On May 17, 1995, the City of Punta Gorda signed a 50-year lease for the History Park land with Old Punta Gorda, Inc.

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During the preceding five years, volunteers from PGHS contributed countless hours and substantial financial support, while local tradespeople offered their expertise to develop construction plans, conduct surveys, and design the layout. After clearing and grading the land, the History Park was established.

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The initial structure, the Cigar Worker’s Cottage, was relocated to History Park in October 1999. In the subsequent year, a dedicated team of volunteers meticulously cleaned, sorted, and stacked 40,000 used bricks—equivalent to thirteen dump truck loads—which were then utilized to construct the park’s parking lot and walkways. The Calaboose, the town’s original jail, was transferred to the park in January 2000. This was followed by the arrival of the Trabue Land Sales Office in November 2000, the Price House in February 2005, and the Queneau-Hindman House in September 2011.

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In addition to its architectural features, the picturesque gardens at History Park enhance its serene atmosphere. In March 2000, Old Punta Gorda, Inc. partnered with the Harry Goulding Chapter of the American Hibiscus Society to establish the Harry Goulding Memorial Hibiscus Garden at History Park. More than one hundred distinct hibiscus varieties honor Punta Gorda’s native son, Harry “Pete” Goulding, as the “Hibiscus King as well as the city’s legacy as “The City of Hibiscus,” a designation dating back to 1926.

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In November 2003, the Punta Gorda Garden Club established the Heritage Garden at the entrance to History Park as part of a nationwide initiative to create historical gardens. This garden showcases plants that early residents of the town might have grown. Additionally, the Peace River Butterfly Society has created a beautiful Butterfly Garden, and a new Pinery is being planted to recognize Punta Gorda’s history as the nation’s top pineapple producer in the early 1900s.

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The Punta Gorda Historical Society fully funds the maintenance and operation of the Punta Gorda History Park. They generate revenue through grants, donations, membership dues, event participation fees, such as those from the History Park Sunday Market, Artisans Village, and Kick Back Music in the Park, as well as by leasing the park’s buildings to local non-profit artisans’ guilds.

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Additionally, the Punta Gorda Historic Train Station and the Punta Gorda Woman’s Club building are owned and maintained by the Punta Gorda Historical Society.