Quednau Hindman House:

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Fritz Quednau, who emigrated from Germany in the late 1800s, became Punta Gorda’s first cigar factory owner when he opened his business on Marion Avenue. He and his wife had three sons; their son Fred was born in 1892 in a humble cottage at 220 Goldstein Street. When Fred was just four, his father passed away, leaving his mother to support the family by working various jobs. One of her employers was Mrs. Isaac Trabue, wife of the founder of Punta Gorda.

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Fred and his brothers left school young to work on the run boats, transporting goods south to the Smallwood Trading Post. By age 17, Fred Quednau had become the youngest captain to navigate Charlotte Harbor. Following a long period of courting, he married Belle McBean—the second couple wed in the newly formed Charlotte County. Belle frequently accompanied Fred on his sailing journeys, often joined by their daughter, Henrietta "Tosie."

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After Fred stopped sailing, he operated a restaurant on Marion Avenue and later served as Sheriff of Charlotte County. Tosie, his daughter, grew up in Punta Gorda, married Jack Hindman, and had two children. She worked over twenty years as Supervisor of Elections and was respected in the community. Tosie passed away in 2009 at the same house on Goldstein Street where Fred was born.

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The Quednau-Hindman house is a classic example of a Cracker house, featuring a large central room with smaller rooms branching off to the sides. Originally located on Goldstein Street, it was relocated to History Park on September 17, 2011. Flint & Doyle, the moving contractors, completed the move for $150,000. The funds were raised by donors who purchased sections along the moving route: $100 for each yard, $50 for each foot, and $25 for every inch.

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Currently, the building is occupied by the SWFL Potters Guild, which utilizes the space as both a studio and gallery.

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