Trabue Land Sales Office (c. 1886):

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In 1884, Colonel Isaac Trabue, an attorney from Kentucky, purchased the waterfront 30-acre homestead owned by James and Sarah Lanier and commissioned its survey and division into town lots, naming the settlement “Trabue.” Three years later, on December 3, 1887, the town was incorporated, and its name changed to Punta Gorda, a term used by Spanish-speaking fishermen meaning “fat point.”

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Colonel Trabue and his wife, Virginia, arrived in 1885, residing initially in a cabin vacated by the Laniers. He constructed his office on Cross Street (now US-41 South), which served as the base for his real estate and legal businesses. As a courtesy to his employees and also to Punta Gorda’s early residents, Trabue organized mail collection from the nearest post office, retaining it for distribution at his office. He subsequently added a kitchen to the building and leased it as living quarters, providing suitable space for seasonal residents.

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With the transformation of Cross Street into US-41 South and the accompanying increase in traffic, the location became less desirable for peaceful winter occupancy. A real estate developer, seeking alternative uses for the property, generously donated the structure to the Punta Gorda Historical Society (PGHS) with the stipulation that it be relocated. The City Council supported preservation efforts by offering a section of their parking lot at Nesbit Street and Marion Avenue, adjacent to the Post Office, as a new site for the building.

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Thanks to contributions, grants, and extensive volunteer efforts, PGHS restored the structure and designated it as its official office. Outfitted as both a post office and a museum, the building served as an educational resource for local history.

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In November 2000, further development prompted another relocation—this time to History Park, its current location.

The Trabue Land Sales Office is recognized as the oldest surviving structure in Charlotte County. It features board-and-batten construction with vertically aligned boards and battens covering their joints; floors consist of single, thick boards resting directly on joists. Several windows still retain their original wavy glass panes.

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Presently, the Trabue building is home to the Southwest Florida Fiber Arts Guild as a studio and gallery space.