Old Charlotte County Courthouse, County courthouse in Punta Gorda, Florida
The Old Charlotte County Courthouse is a two-story yellow brick courthouse at 226 Taylor Street in Punta Gorda, Florida. Architects Leitner and Henson of St. Petersburg designed it in the Classical Revival style, and Paul H. Smith of Haines City built it between 1927 and 1928.
The courthouse was constructed in 1928 by architect Paul H Smith of Haines City and served as the county's administrative center for decades. It was replaced by a new Justice Center in 1999 when judicial operations relocated.
A mural on Olympia Avenue depicts George Brown, a local businessman whose land sale made this building possible. The artwork serves as a reminder of the people who shaped this community's development.
The restored 1928 building at 226 Taylor Street reopened to the public on February 29, 2008, after the county demolished the 1960s and 1980s additions and renovated the original structure. Visitors enter from Taylor Street in downtown Punta Gorda; check with the county for current opening times before making the trip.
The elevated foundation was built not merely as an architectural choice but as a flood protection measure essential to South Florida's climate. This practical design feature reflects how early 20th-century builders adapted to the region's water challenges.
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