Punta Gorda, a pretty little community on Florida's southeast coast, earned its "15 minutes of fame" on August 13, 2004, when it was almost destroyed by a killer Category 4 hurricane. Hurricane Charley scored a direct hit and left the town in shreds (albeit temporarily).
Located where the Peace River joins Charlotte Harbor, this town's name means "fat point," and for much of its early history it was a rough-and-tumble frontier town, relying on the phosphate trade for its livelihood
Punta Gorda, a pretty little community on Florida's southeast coast, earned its "15 minutes of fame" on August 13, 2004, when it was almost destroyed by a killer Category 4 hurricane. Hurricane Charley scored a direct hit and left the town in shreds (albeit temporarily).
Located where the Peace River joins Charlotte Harbor, this town's name means "fat point," and for much of its early history it was a rough-and-tumble frontier town, relying on the phosphate trade for its livelihood. Its scrappy past, with a reputation for somewhat shady characters and a predilection for murder in the years between 1890 and 1905, may have given it the grit to rebuild after Charley.
Shopping and a host of beachy attractions are located nearby Punta Gorda, FL; across the river are the towns of Charlotte Harbor and Port Charlotte, and a short drive or boat ride away are the grounds of Charlotte Harbor State Park, straddling both shores of the harbor itself. Nearby are some storied beaches and Gulf Islands, including Sanibel and Captiva, and fishing in the Gulf is always an easy temptation.
Seafaring roots run deep here; Juan Ponce de Leon came through in 1513, and it is the water that is Punta Gorda's lifeblood today. The harbor is the focus of life, anchored by Fisherman's Village, a combination entertainment center and shopping mall boasting boutiques, restaurants, and a modern marina. At the end of the pier is Punta Gorda's "Honky Tonk," the waterfront Florida version of western saloon and dance hall that attracts throngs on weekends, locals and visitors alike. On the rating scale, the burgers, conch fritters and drinks are all "pretty darn good!" Everybody knows Harpoon Harry's and, believe it or not, kids are just as welcome as adults. Boats are also welcome at the pull-up dock.
Punta Gorda is not a tourist destination. It's real. For much excitement, major shopping and the high life, you'll have to head north to St. Petersburg and Tampa, or down the road to Ft. Myers and Naples. But Punta Gorda is comfortable. If you'd like to stay awhile, there are home rentals and condos for rent, and you can also find apartments in town, available on both short-term and long-term leases. Rents are reasonable and deposits are generally less than a full month's rent.
With a large population of retirees and an easily navigable, protected harbor, Punta Gorda is a favorite among cruisers, both live-aboard boaters and RV-ers, who find the generally pleasant climate, the relatively inexpensive lifestyle and the friendly waterside drinking spots to their liking. Tourists like it too. Ostentatious it's not. Even though there are some million dollar properties here, it's still a flip flop, laid back, Jimmy Buffett kind of place.
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Punta Gorda, a pretty little community on Florida's southeast coast, earned its "15 minutes of fame" on August 13, 2004, when it was almost destroyed by a killer Category 4 hurricane. Hurricane Charley scored a direct hit and left the town in shreds (albeit temporarily).
Located where the Peace River joins Charlotte Harbor, this town's name means "fat point," and for much of its early history it was a rough-and-tumble frontier town, relying on the phosphate trade for its livelihood
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