Punta Gorda
The “fat point” where the Peace River meets Charlotte Harbor.
- Population
- 19,471 (2020 census)
- Incorporated
- December 3, 1887
- Name
- Spanish for “fat point”
- Tides
- Two highs, two lows, uneven
Then
- 1885
A town called Trabue is platted on land Isaac Trabue has bought along the harbor.
- 1886
The Florida Southern Railway arrives in August.
- 1887
On December 3, 34 townspeople meet at Hector's Billiard Parlor, vote to incorporate and rename the town Punta Gorda.
- 2004
Hurricane Charley, a Category 4, hits on August 13, the strongest storm in Florida since Andrew in 1992.
- 2022
Hurricane Ian makes landfall here on September 28 with 145 mph winds.
Now
Punta Gorda is the Charlotte County seat, on the south bank of the tidal Peace River. The Harborwalk and linear park, built after Charley, keep growing along the water.
On the water
From NOAA's predictions for Punta Gorda, Charlotte Harbor, FL over the next 357 days. Heights are in feet above mean lower low water (MLLW).
- Pattern
- Two highs and two lows a day, one noticeably bigger than the other
- Typical daily range
- 1.8 ft
- Biggest swing
- 3.0 ft on Dec 23
- Smallest swing
- 1.0 ft on Dec 30
- Highest high
- 2.5 ft, Jul 4 at 3:04 PM
- Lowest low
- −0.8 ft, Jan 21 at 9:16 AM