Punta Gorda Isles
In the mid-1950s, four men with varying backgrounds became friends and began developing land on the east coast of Florida, near Ft. Lauderdale. In 1957, Al Johns, Bud Cole, Sam Burchers, and Bob Barbee were at a meeting with James Buchanan, then Chairman of the Board of General Development Corporation, where plans for Charlotte Harbor were presented.
Al and Bob were curious and took a sightseeing trip by plane and promptly fell in love with Punta Gorda's "point." Cole was dragged over by car and told: "you can't exactly get there from here, but it sure is pretty and we had better buy it." In that same year, the four men bought 550 acres from Gerald Moody and George Sanders, and on the last day of the year, the title passed to Punta Gorda Isles Inc. In early 1958, an office had been built on US 41 in Charlotte Harbor, and prospective buyers were taken by boat to view the future development, which was to be called Punta Gorda Isles (PGI).
Sales were slow for a couple of years, but by the early 1960s, the future course of PGI was set. By the end of 1960, there were 30 homes completed. In 1962, people were complaining that there was nothing to do in the area, so Peter Bontsema went from house to house to form a shuffleboard league. Some sixty people signed up, and they played on two courts built by the Isles. In July 1962, a questionnaire was sent asking residents if they would like to form an association dedicated to "fun and happiness in the Isles residents". A variety of activities were proposed and 62 families joined. The dues were $3.00 per person. The Punta Gorda Civic Association became a reality, and Peter Bontsema was the first President.
By 1968, additional land purchases by Punta Gorda Isles Inc. totaled approximately 2300 acres. In December 1968, Punta Gorda Isles Inc. announced plans to build a new golf course section, and in January 1969, they purchased considerable additional acres. PGI Inc. subsequently agreed to have the City of Punta Gorda annex the development into the City limits.
Fast forward to the early 1980s and the creation of the Saint Andrews South Golf Club. Located in the center of PGI, the course offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers at every skill level. Well-groomed fairways and greens keep Saint Andrews South Golf Club difficult, yet friendly and the staff can offer tips and tricks for playing your best round. Saint Andrews South Golf Club is a terrific choice for your regular rounds of golf or a new destination for you and your friends when visiting Punta Gorda.
Today PGI is a waterfront community like no other. Some 50+ miles of city-maintained seawall provide access to the vastness of the second largest harbor in the state, Charlotte Harbor. Indeed, some 70+% of area homeowners live on waterfront property. Despite its long history, Punta Gorda Isles continues to see new construction and enjoys proximity to all that the historic harbor town of Punta Gorda has to offer.
Punta Gorda Isles Homes for Sale:
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$1,499,999
2448 SAINT DAVID ISLAND COURT, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 Beds: 4 Baths: 3 Sq.Ft: 2,876 View |
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$2,290,000
1430 SEA GULL COURT, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 Beds: 3 Baths: 3 Sq.Ft: 2,500 View |
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$339,900
240 W END DRIVE, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 Beds: 3 Baths: 2 Sq.Ft: 1,592 View |
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$322,000
3256 WHITE IBIS COURT, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 Beds: 2 Baths: 2 Sq.Ft: 1,138 View |
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$440,000
3228 WOOD THRUSH DRIVE, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 Beds: 2 Baths: 2 Sq.Ft: 1,448 View |
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$310,000
2001 BAL HARBOR BOULEVARD, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 Beds: 2 Baths: 2 Sq.Ft: 1,351 View |
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$275,000
1080 BAL HARBOR BOULEVARD, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 Beds: 2 Baths: 2 Sq.Ft: 1,114 View |
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$285,000
240 W END DRIVE, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 Beds: 2 Baths: 2 Sq.Ft: 1,262 View |
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$1,700,000
3307 DOMINICA COURT, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 Beds: 3 Baths: 3 Sq.Ft: 2,308 View |
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$699,000
1791 BELLE COURT, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 Beds: 3 Baths: 2 Sq.Ft: 1,586 View |
To find out more about Punta Gorda Isles and homes for sale in this area, contact our real estate specialists today at (941) 655-8059 or by email.