Punta Gorda, Coastal city in Charlotte County, Florida
Punta Gorda is a city in Charlotte County in southwest Florida, extending along the shores of Charlotte Harbor. The layout consists of several residential neighborhoods connected by a system of canals, along with parks and waterfront promenades for pedestrians.
Isaac Trabue founded the settlement in 1882, three years after the railroad line to Gainesville opened. The community grew as a coastal port and later gained status as an incorporated city with its own administration.
The Spanish name means 'fat point' and refers to the shape of the land jutting into the harbor. Today visitors see this heritage reflected in late 19th-century buildings that stand among newer residential neighborhoods.
Access to the city is via Interstate 75 and U.S. Route 41, both of which run through the area. The local airport offers connections to several national destinations for travelers arriving by plane.
The city counts ten sites on the National Register of Historic Places, including the A.C. Freeman House and the Woman's Club. Visitors can spot these buildings while walking through the older neighborhoods and observe the architecture from different decades.
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