Category: All Articles
Cleaning Marshal Bowman’s Gravestone
On Friday, January 31, 2025, we cleaned Marshal Bowman’s gravestone, under the supervision of Lynn Harrell, trained and certified by the Florida Public Archeology Network in Cemetery Resource Protection. BEFORE front of the Woodman of the World gravestone. There are streaks on the granite […]
The Walter Home is For Sale
Located in the hamlet of Wellborn, a small unincorporated community in Suwanee County, Florida is the magnificent Walter home, built circa 1895.
Who were the Walters?
One of the earliest pioneer families to settle in Wellborn, three generations of the Walter family resided in the magnificent home at the end of 8th Avenue.
The Walter Home is For Sale
Located in the hamlet of Wellborn, a small unincorporated community in Suwanee County, Florida is the magnificent Walter home, built circa 1895.
Who Killed Marshal Bowman? Suspect 2: Edgar Watson
Who is Suspect #2? Former newspaper editor, master storyteller and virtuoso of many arts, Fred Farris, introduced the theory that Edgar Watson was the true assassin of Marshal Bowman in his book Once Upon a Time in Southwest Florida. Let’s take this case into consideration.
A Victorian-Era American Romance Story
True history is endlessly fascinating to me. I was researching the Dick Family for my next book when a headline of a newspaper caught my attention. It had nothing to do with the matter at hand, but what a story! It’s our own American version […]
Ghost Stories of Punta Gorda
Ghost Stories of Punta Gorda is a collection of twenty spooky short stories involving real people, true events and actual locations of Charlotte Harbor. These entertaining tales are a fusion of history, folklore, personal experiences and imagination. Buy full-color Kindle edition $2.99 Buy black and […]
Woodmen of the World
If you’ve visited Indian Spring cemetery in Punta Gorda, FL, you’ve probably noticed the highly detailed tree trunk grave stones. These grave markers bear the words ‘Woodmen of the World’ and often feature other similar iconography. According to Waymarking.com “Many of these tree stump monuments stand 4 to 5 feet high and show sawed or broken limbs traditionally symbolizing a life cut short.”
Miss Ollie Brackett’s Secret
The most famous prostitute of Punta Gorda was Miss Ollie Brackett. Ollie ran a “disorderly, bawdy house of ill repute” at the west end of Marion Avenue – in those days it was known as the bad part of town. Miss Ollie served a few […]
First White Man Dies in America
Juan Ponce de León Juan Ponce de León came to what is now Punta Gorda on his second expedition in 1521 with 200 colonists. The Calusa attacked, and Juan took an arrow to his hip. His men tried to pull it out but only got […]
Who Built the former Gilchrist Bed & Breakfast (aka the Price House) now located in History Park?
Max and Mary Price, first cousins, married in 1946 when Max was 73 and Mary was 79. Max has been credited with many accomplishments in Punta Gorda, including the design of the brown u-shaped House in History Park, but the research concludes it was actually […]
Route 66: Punta Gordans Love Veterans
We know Punta Gordans love veterans but back in 1963 the TV show Route 66 told the world a different story in an episode titled Shadows of an Afternoon (season 3, episode 30).
Route 66: Punta Gordans Love Pets
We know Punta Gordans love our pets and back in 1963 the TV show Route 66 testified to the world how much we love them in an episode titled Shadows of an Afternoon (season 3, episode 30).
Route 66: Punta Gorda Landscapes and Buildngs
We know Punta Gordans love pets but back in 1963 the TV show Route 66 showed the world how much we love them in an episode titled Shadows of an Afternoon (season 3, episode 30).
The Lady Seers
Marian McAdow and her best friend Sadie Farrington were known as The Lady Seers.
A Horse Named Perry McAdow
Perry McAdow was one of the founding citizens of Punta Gorda. He arrived in Punta Gorda in 1897 with his young new bride Marian. Another Perry McAdow of the same era was a Thoroughbred race horse. Perry McAdow, the horse, is listed in the racing […]
Who Killed Marshal Bowman? Suspect 1: Isaiah Cooper
According to authors U.S. Cleveland and Lindsey Williams, Isaiah E. Cooper was convicted of Marshal Bowman’s assassination, but enough doubt existed that his scheduled execution was postponed three times, and ultimately when former Punta Gorda resident Albert Gilchrist was elected governor of Florida in 1908, […]
Where Did Marshal Bowman’s Family Reside?
The exact location of the Bowman family home has been a source of speculation for years. Some have claimed the family lived on Taylor St. in either 321 Taylor St (formerly Two Thrifty Girls) or Pizza Gorda buildings. We cannot find any evidence to support […]
Meet the Mysterious Mrs. B
Laura Bowman has been snubbed by other local historians. According to Lindsey Williams and U.S. Cleveland, after the assassination of her husband, Marshal John Bowman on January 29, 1903, “Mrs. Bowman moved to her mother’s home at Charlotte Harbor town and died two years later. […]
The Dick Family Mystery
The Dick family’s short presence in Punta Gorda’s early history is a mystery. Angie Larkin tellls of the Dick family arrival in her book In Old Punta Gorda. The Dick family came to Punta Gorda in 1884 by covered wagon from Texas. They spent their […]
Punta Gorda’s Most Famous Ghost is a Teen-Age Girl
Mary Leah Sandlin’s story is legendary in Punta Gorda. The 14-year-old was ironing clothes on the front porch of her family home when she caught on fire. She leapt off the porch and ran down the street engulfed in propellant-fueled flames. Neighbors put out the […]
Why was McGraw’s Place known as the Bucket of Blood?
In the book, Our Fascinating Past-Charlotte Harbor: Early Years, the authors interchange the alias Bucket of Blood and Bloody Bucket in reference to McGraw’s Place. It was a small gas station with a counter where motorists could buy a soda or candy. McGraw’s Place was […]
Pregnant Postal Worker Killed in the Street
Kate “Sissie” Dick was an early resident of the new town of Punta Gorda. She came to Punta Gorda along with her parents, John and Amanda Dick, and her many siblings. The family traveled from Texas to Punta Gorda in a covered wagon. Working Woman, […]
The Mysterious Demise of Commodore Colt
He “died in the Hotel Punta Gorda,” posted the Scranton Republican on January 23, 1894. “Caldwell Colt was the richest bachelor in America and he was also the youngest capitalist … his age was only 35 and he leaves millions,” printed the Scranton Republican four […]
Richard J. Ferrara, Paranormal Investigator
Welcome Richie! We’ve worked together, and you’re my tour guide partner this season on the Haunted History of Punta Gorda Walking Tour. Let’s get to know more about you and what you do!