Isaac Trabue, Punta Gorda's Founder, like many of us came south to get away from cold weather. But while he was getting on in years (late 50s) when he arrived, he was by no means ready to retire. He purchased the land in Townsship 41 South, Range 23 East, south of the Peace River, because he saw not only a place where he wanted to live, but he saw opportunity. At the time, the railroads were working their way south, and he was determined to catch the train of fortune he foresaw heading this way.
After he mannged to secure land from James Lanier and through the Florida Land and Improvement
Corporationat at bottom basement prices, he had Kelly B. Harvey slice it up his acquisition into parcels that he could sell at a higher price. He sold land, managed a post office for new residents and construction workers and ran a law practice from a little white cottage that is now at the History Park. Essentially this was both Punta Gorda's first post office and first Real Estate Office.
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