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About Walt Bethel:
Walt Bethel is a fifth generation Floridian, born and raised in Arcadia,
with a vast knowledge of all areas of Florida Real Estate and an ardent appreciation for Florida history.
The purchase and development of his first orange grove when he was just sixteen years old fueled Walt's passion for real estate.
Since then, he has bought, owned, and sold a wide variety of properties throughout a successful business career. His investments have included acreage, agricultural properties, residential homes, condos, and commercial properties.
Walt's marketing and sales experience was cultivated over time at his family's business, Bethel Farms, where he marketed, managed, and sold products to "Big Box" retailers across the Southeastern
and
Midwestern United States.
From an early age, Walt's dad instilled in him the values to work hard and always have a goal, to look for a better way of doing things, and to constantly improve on them.
The daily implementation of these principles, coupled with his enjoyment of networking with new people and his experience in business, sales, and marketing, have contributed to Walt's success as a Realtor.
Walt has served on various boards and committees throughout the years. He has coached and actively supports local youth athletic programs and leagues.
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He and his wife Jill, also a fourth generation Floridian, reside in Punta Gorda. They have two teenage children, a daughter Peyton and a son
Truman.
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Note From
Our Neighbors
Charlotte County StoneCrabs Baseball
Tim Tebow and the St. Lucie Mets come to Charlotte Sports Park for a four-game series with the Stone Crabs on July 29th-August 1st!
T
he series kicks off with Christmas in July with an ornament giveaway and Post-Game Fireworks on the 29th and concludes with $2 Tuesday on August 1st.
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Did you Know?
The first city council was comprised the 7 gentlemen pictured here from a 1887 photograph:
From left to right : Tom Hector (City Clerk), J.O. Swisher, John Fishback (City Marshal), Dr, W.H. Burland (first mayor), Kelly B. Harvey, Neil Dahl, and James Sandlin.
The scenes surrounding the First City Council members depict historical places and happenings of that time: (left to right)
- The Alice Howard, a mail and tour river boat
- In 1885 Fred Remington, a renown Western artist, came to Punta Gorda and this scene is taken from one of his paintings showing a man fishing with his guide.
- Sailing a homemade Sharpie Gaff rigged Knockabout
- The Hotel Punta Gorda
- The Gaff Rigged Ketch "Oriole" belonging to Caldwell Colt, heir to the Colt Gun Company
- One of the articles Fred Remington wrote about Punta Gorda was about the "Cow Hunters", also called "Crackers". This is another one of his paintings
- Florida Southern Railway carried fish, cattle, produce, and wealthy tourists to Punta Gorda
- The Hector House owned by Thomas Hector, City Clerk
- Phosphate steamship, the Lewis Luckenbach, at the Port of Punta Gorda about 1904
- Tarpon fishing was a popular sport among the winter visitors and residents
- A Sharpie Gaff Rigged Ketch in 1900 was 70 feet long and carried a three man crew. The Sharpie was ideal for fisherman because of its minimum rigging design
The mural was originally dedicated on August 8, 2001. The wall was reconstructed in 2015 and the mural was repainted by the original artist in 2016 and re-dedicated on April 21, 2016.
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Welcome to the July
Edition of my
"Real Estate Resource" Newsletter.
Please
check out my website waltbethel.com
to view my listings, search for property, or to enjoy one of my archived newsletters.
As
always
, I welcome your feedback and suggestions.
Walt
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Punta Gorda Founder
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Isaac H. Trabue, the founder of the town of Trabue which became Punta Gorda, was born in March 25, 1829 (some reports say 1931) in Russell County, Kentucky. Of French Huguenot descent, he was the grandson of an American Revolutionary hero, James Trabue. He served in the Civil War on the side of the Union under Generals Sherman and Anderson. After the war, he became a prominent lawyer and politician.
Biographical Sketch prepared by Theresa Murtha (Managing Director, Punta Gorda History Center)
In late middle-age, Trabue began investing in land on Charlotte Harbor, in the early 1880s, using seed money from legal fees. Trabue purchased his land, sight unseen, through John Cross, a real estate agent living at Liverpool, Florida at an average price of $1.25 an acre. In 1884, through Cross, Isaac hired Kelly B. Harvey to survey and plat his land into a town to be named after himself, Trabue. Harvey's sketch was sent to Kentucky for Isaac's approval, and the latter, accepted the layout. He also urged Cross to begin selling lots. On February 24, 1885, Harvey recorded the plat at Pine Level, the county seat of Manatee County. To bring more value to his holdings, in 1885, Trabue negotiated a deal to have the railroad come to his town. He agreed to give the Florida Southern one-half of his land holdings at Trabue for the railroad to locate its terminus there rather than Hickory Bluff across the harbor.
In the fall of 1886, Isaac and his wife Virginia Trabue moved to Trabue, construction of the railroad to Punta Gorda was completed, and work on the new hotel on the harbor which was to become the Hotel Punta Gorda began.
Trabue was a man of contradictions. For example, he was a slave owner, who fought for the union. Concerned about perpetuating his name and those of family members, he gave the town his family name and named many of the streets after relatives (names like Virginia, his wife, Chasteen, his father, Gill, a brother-in-law, Elizabeth, his mother and Marion (also spelled Marian), a sister, and many other family names still adorn Punta Gorda's street signs). Yet Trabue, was not willing to pay Harvey's surveyer's bill or to provide the residents, who moved to the town as a result of his efforts and promotional activity, the basic infrastructure required for the town. In the end this cost him the very name of the town which was so important to him. In 1887, frustrated with the lack of responsiveness to their needs, Harvey and other settlers began discussing incorporation. Then in December of 1887, thirty-four men, including Harvey, journeyed to Pine Level to sign the notice of intent to incorporate Trabue into the City of Punta Gorda.
Isaac Trabue lived in Punta Gorda another twenty years and then in 1907, old and ill, he returned to Kentucky and died there. Punta Gorda's birth and development can be attributed to Trabue's early insight which led to his purchasing and developing the land on Charlotte Harbor and stimulating early settlement and enterprise. Unfortunately, he is not well known today by the citizens of the community, and the only fixtures bearing the name Trabue is a street sign on a small street in the historic district of the City and his cottage and land-office now at the history park.
References:
Vernon Peeples, Punta Gorda in the Beginning 1865-1900
Obituary, Isaac Trabue
Vernon Peeples, Trabue, Alias Punta Gorda, Florida Historical Quarterly
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Sweet Florida Summer
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Taking in some of these gorgeous Florida sunsets at Boca Grande and Useppa Island.
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Featured Listing
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Waterfront Boca Vista Harbor
13113 Gasparilla Rd. Unit 205A Placida, FL 33946
CHARLOTTE COUNTY
BACK ON THE MARKET AND REDUCED OVER $40K!!
This MOTIVATED SELLER is offering a fully FURNISHED 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo in Boca Vista Harbor that is immaculately adorned with coastal decor, ornate furniture and rich colors.
Just minutes from Boca Grande, shopping, restaurants, pristine beaches and world class fishing sits this 1500+ square foot corner unit with views of Coral Creek Lagoon, offering the most privacy available in the complex. The eat-in kitchen with Corian countertops also has a breakfast bar and is open to the living room and dining area with bay windows.
The large covered, screened lanai is accessible from the 3 door slider in the living room or the single sliding door in the master bedroom. His and her master walk-in closets adjoin the master bath with its glass shower enclosure, deep soaker tub, and his and her Corian vanities with under mount sinks and large 3 way mirrors. Ceramic tile flooring laid throughout with custom tile mosaic featured in the foyer. Spacious laundry area contains stacked washer and dryer to maximize space.
Community features include clubhouse, heated pool and spa, outdoor grilling and dining areas, and tennis courts. Off-site boat docking and storage are available at neighboring Gasparilla Marina. Boat docks, accessible only to Boca Vista Harbor owners, are available for purchase or lease through a separate association and provide direct access to Boca Grande Pass and the Gulf beaches.
Don't miss this opportunity!!
MLS #: C7223376
List Price: $319,000
Heated Sq Ft: 1,701
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Featured Listing
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Joshua Creek 12+ Acres Estate
3410 County Rd 760, Arcadia, FL 34266
DESOTO COUNTY
Beauty and privacy abound in this 12.64 acre estate set among oak hammocks, a gently flowing creek and manicured pastures.
As you enter through the private gate down the paved drive you are welcomed to this custom built 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath brick home. With over 2,700 heated sq. ft., this meticulously maintained home features soaring ceilings, an open floor plan, lots of natural light, and a spacious screened back patio perfect for relaxing & enjoying the natural Florida habitat. The kitchen is complete with breakfast bar, dining area, dual dishwashers, updated appliances & opens to the formal dining room & family room ideal for entertaining. Downstairs is complete with a Guest Room/Office lined with windows and a large master bedroom featuring fireplace and an en-suite bathroom with soaking tub & separate tiled shower. Upstairs a catwalk, overlooking the family room, leads you to two additional guest bedrooms & a guest bathroom.
Additionally, there is an attached 2 car garage, screened gazebo, a detached 30X52 garage-for your RV/boat, multiple RV hookups, as well as a huge workshop. Workshop is outfitted with kitchen & office area, ideal for home business.
Much of the acreage is cleared pasture land with a pond & lends itself to cattle and horses. Property is within 5 miles from Publix, shopping, and downtown Arcadia.
Come home to privacy and peacefulness on this beautiful, natural property nestled along Joshua Creek!
MLS #: C7238071
List Price: $895,000
Heated Sq Ft: 2,779
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Featured Listing
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Highly Desired 5 Acre Tracts Off Kings Hwy
SW Albritton St., Arcadia, FL 34266
DESOTO COUNTY
Highly Desired 5 Acre property off Kings Hwy!!
Offering a quiet and private setting this is the ideal building site for your dream home with plenty of space for a barn, pond, or animals.
Located right off Kings Highway (State Road 769) with quick access to Port Charlotte, Interstate 75, or to the downtown Arcadia area. Sarasota and Gulf Beaches within close proximity.
These beautiful properties won't last long!! Three Sold, Two Left!
MLS #: C7237053 & C7237055
List Price: $62,500
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Previously Featured Listing
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PENDING!
11+ Acres with 3/2 Home
1556 County Road 661 Arcadia, FL 34266
DESOTO COUNTY
Country living at its finest! On almost 12 cleared and fenced acres come experience the peace and tranquility this newly renovated 3 bedroom 2 bath home has to offer.
Set back from the main road, as you enter down the paved driveway, you will be welcomed by open grazing land for your beloved farm animals.
Home has over 1,800 sqft. with large open living area and kitchen. High quality Pergo floors and tile are throughout whole home. The custom kitchen is adorned with upgraded cabinets for ample storage, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and attached dining area. Master Suite has newly updated bathroom with double vanities, tile shower and sink bowls. There is a bonus Den that can be used as Office or family room.
Pole Barn is perfect workshop area, or to just store your "toys". The open air back porch is ideal for family gatherings and those late evenings sitting outside admiring the sunset on this beautiful true Florida property.
Less than 5 miles to downtown Arcadia, with easy access to Charlotte and Sarasota County. Don't wait too long, this one won't last!
MLS #: C7238997
List Price: $289,000
Heated Sq Ft: 1,876
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Previously Featured Listing
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PENDING!
Grassy Point Estates Corner Lot
4630 Grassy Point Blvd. Pt Charlotte, FL 33952
CHARLOTTE COUNTY
MLS #: C7220053
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Previously Featured Listing
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PENDING!
201+/- Grove
Goosepond Rd. Ona, FL 33865
HARDEE COUNTY
MLS #: C7224011
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