Punta Gorda waterfront parks near historic status

Punta Gorda’s historic waterfront parks are one step closer to permanent recognition and preservation after City Council unanimously approved an application July 1 to place the 12-acre Gilchrist Park on the National Register of Historic Places. 

The nomination, prepared by Historic Preservation Advisory Board member Terry Zeigler, would recognize Gilchrist Park, which runs between Harvey and Berry streets along with the remaining original platted parks of Alice, Pittman and Shreve. 

Council member Jeannine Polk said she was surprised the parks had not been nominated years ago. 

“This is something the city has to do,” Polk said, noting the waterfront parks were gifted to the city in the 1880s. 

The parks, which overlook Charlotte Harbor, include a gazebo, pavilions, basketball courts, a playground, and pickleball and tennis courts. 

During the meeting, Planner Adrianna Gehrke also told Council that the Historic Preservation Advisory Board is seeking expanded authority to become a decision-making board rather than serving solely in an advisory role. 

Council member Melissa Lockhart asked how that change could affect future improvements to the parks. 

“What would we have to do if we wanted to add a pickleball court or replace a pavilion?” Lockhart asked. 

Gehrke said projects would still move through city staff but could require additional review, making the process somewhat longer. 

Once listed on the National Register, the waterfront parks would receive added recognition and protections that reinforce preservation efforts for land that has faced development pressures since the early 1900s. 

Historical information provided to Council by the Punta Gorda History Center accompanied the nomination application and draft resolution. 

According to the history, Col. Isaac Trabue purchased and platted the community in 1884, registering the town as “Trabue” in Manatee County in 1885. Three years later, the town became known as Punta Gorda. Charlotte County would not be established until 1921. 

By 1910, erosion had begun threatening the shoreline along Retta Esplanade. In 1912, a group led by council member Dr. George Stone, who later became mayor, developed a plan to protect the waterfront after one of the original platted parks had already been commercialized and permission was granted for a private mansion to be built on Harvey Park despite public opposition. 

Trabue's original plat dedicated the entire waterfront as public parks in perpetuity. 

In 1914, Stone proposed constructing a seawall and using fill to create waterfront lots for luxury homes. Two lots were sold before public opposition halted the project. 

Years of litigation followed before the city agreed to pay for the seawall and backfill, repurchase the two lots and retain ownership of the waterfront parks. 

The area was known as City Park until 1950, when it was renamed Gilchrist Park in honor of Albert W. Gilchrist, one of Punta Gorda's original developers who later served as Florida governor from 1909 to 1913. 

With National Register designation moving forward, the waterfront parks are positioned to remain protected for future generations, fulfilling Trabue's original vision that the shoreline remain public forever.