Punta Gorda Isles
In the mid-1950s, four men from
different backgrounds became friends and began developing land on Florida's
east coast near Ft. Lauderdale. In 1957, Al Johns, Bud Cole, Sam Burchers, and
Bob Barbee attended a meeting with James Buchanan, the Chairman of the Board of
General Development Corporation, where they were presented with plans for
Charlotte Harbor. Al and Bob were curious and took a sightseeing trip by plane
and immediately fell in love with Punta Gorda's "point." Cole was
driven there 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
purchased 550 acres from Gerald Moody and George Sanders, and on the last day
of the year, the title passed to Punta Gorda Isles Inc. Early in 1958, an
office was built on US 41 in Charlotte Harbor, and potential 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,
30 homes had been completed. In 1962, people complained about the lack of
things to do in the area. 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 to residents asking
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. This led to the creation of
the Punta Gorda Civic Association, with Peter Bontsema as the first President.
By 1968, Punta Gorda Isles Inc. had
purchased approximately 2300 acres of additional land. In December 1968, Punta
Gorda Isles Inc. announced plans to build a new golf course section, and in
January 1969, they purchased even more 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, the
Saint Andrews South Golf Club was created. Located in the center of PGI, the
course offers fantastic views and challenging play for golfers of all skill
levels. The well-maintained fairways and greens keep Saint Andrews South Golf
Club difficult yet friendly, and the staff can provide tips and tricks for
playing your best round. Saint Andrews South Golf Club is an excellent option
for your regular rounds of golf or a new destination when visiting Punta Gorda
with friends.
Today, PGI is a waterfront community
unlike any other. Over 50 miles of city-maintained seawall provide access to
the vastness of the second-largest harbor in the state, Charlotte Harbor. In
fact, over 70% of area homeowners live on waterfront property. Despite its long
history, Punta Gorda Isles continues to see new construction and is
conveniently located near all that the historic harbor town of Punta Gorda offers.
Punta Gorda Isles Homes for Sale:
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$1,098,000
1238 Riding Rocks LANE, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 Beds: 4 Baths: 3 Sq.Ft: 2,252 View |
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$399,000
99 Vivante BOULEVARD, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 Beds: 2 Baths: 3 Sq.Ft: 2,106 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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$324,000
2001 Bal Harbor BOULEVARD, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 Beds: 2 Baths: 2 Sq.Ft: 1,351 View |
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$424,900
3830 Bal Harbor BOULEVARD, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 Beds: 3 Baths: 2 Sq.Ft: 1,441 View |
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$939,000
1236 Swan COURT, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 Beds: 3 Baths: 2 Sq.Ft: 2,123 View |
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$774,000
1425 Park Beach CIRCLE, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 Beds: 2 Baths: 3 Sq.Ft: 1,642 View |
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$329,000
3920 Bal Harbor BOULEVARD, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 Beds: 2 Baths: 2 Sq.Ft: 1,183 View |
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$633,111
1625 Compass Pointe COURT, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 Beds: 4 Baths: 3 Sq.Ft: 1,917 View |
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$629,225
1624 Compass Pointe COURT, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 Beds: 4 Baths: 3 Sq.Ft: 1,912 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.