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Message from the Mayor
Encompassing approximately 15 square miles, Punta Gorda is rich in history, and can trace its roots to landings by Ponce de Leon and Hernando DeSoto in the early 1500’s. Its name, Spanish for "broad point", references its position jutting out into Charlotte Harbor. Early Spanish attempts to colonize areas of Charlotte County were thwarted by Calusa Indian tribes, but the area was slowly settled as the English first began to migrate to the Charlotte Harbor environs. Punta Gorda is a growing community with a current population of just over 18,000. Both the City and Charlotte County, with a population of over 150,000, continue to project growth rates. The area has been cited for its quality of life and a cost of living below the national average. Our City employs approximately 275, and has its own police and fire forces. Both City and County benefit from a significant tourist population, drawn by the Florida sunshine and our pristine boating waterways. Excellent sport fishing, as well as the opportunity to view manatees, alligators, eagles and other varied land, sea and air wildlife continue as a draw for both our full-time and visitor populations. Punta Gorda is in the midst of major community revitalization and beautification efforts. With historic preservation as a priority, the City has secured State “historic district” status and the Florida Main Street City designation. Our City streetscape program is restoring an “old Florida” atmosphere to central district streets by the addition of brick walkways, decorative street lamps, benches, planters, flowers and shade trees. Residential areas feature many brick streets lined with huge old royal palms and old-Florida-era tin roofed homes with verandas. Unique shops, restaurants, art galleries and lodging facilities are springing up throughout the City, enhancing its reputation for culture and charm. Punta Gorda offers waterfront shopping areas to complement our quaint downtown, as well as neighborhood shopping venues throughout the City, including historic Fishermen's Village. Our recently renovated City Marina in Laishley Park and other private marinas make Punta Gorda a convenient and exciting destination for boaters and tourists throughout Southwest Florida. Year-round good weather allows residents and visitors to enjoy our many parks and outdoor activities including golf, tennis and bird watching as well as walking and biking along our 2.5 mile picturesque Harborwalk and 12 miles of a planned linear park. We have three elementary schools, a middle school and high school, the Charlotte County Performing Arts Center and the newly constructed Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center. Charlotte Regional Medical Center is located within the Punta Gorda City limits, and is complemented by a significant medical community. Punta Gorda is not only conveniently served by airports in nearby Ft. Myers and Sarasota, but also the Charlotte County Airport, just on the outskirts of the City, which provides commercial passerger jet service from a number of destinations. The citizens of Punta Gorda and I invite you to share the beauty, charm and excitement of our unique City. Whether as prospective resident, business owner or visitor, learn more about us and see for yourselves why we’ve been declared the “best small City in America”. Bill Albers City Hall |
On behalf of the City Council and employees of the City of Punta Gorda, welcome to our official web-site. Punta Gorda is located in Southwest Florida on the banks of the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor, is readily accessible to the Gulf of Mexico, and is the county seat and "heart" of Charlotte County. We have a unique downtown historic district which includes numerous sites on the National Register.