Greetings!
Welcome to the Summer 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
|
|
 |
2018 TikiFest
at Fisheman's Village
3rd annual TikiFest featuring Hula Dancers, Live trop rock and steel drum music by the JP Island Duo, Ragady Lapsey and Tiki Tom and LA Daniels!
Plus, Fun family friendly activities
Saturday, August 11th
12-4PM
Check out more here:
____________
City Dock
Much has been made of the pivotal role in early days of Charlotte Harbor and the ships that sailed upon it. Yet, without docks these would have been useless.
The King Street dock by 1906 was crowded with fish houses. The constant traffic of freight trains and commercial fishing boats became a hazard for general wharf uses. Therefore, Punta Gorda council in April
conducted a public referendum on a proposal to build a "city dock."
It was three years before folks got around to building a long, city dock at the foot of Sullivan St. where a 60-foot tower had been constructed in 1903 to display storm signals. The job finally
was accomplished by volunteer labor and donated materials. The pilings were cabbage palm trunks brought from the Myakka River area.
First tenant of the new City Dock was John Smith, an oyster fisherman. John applied for a permit to build a shucking shed. Council decided that "all houses on the new dock are to be built by the town and rented to
occupants at an amount according to size and structure of building." The city built a 14x20 "house for oyster business" and rented it to Smith for $60 per year.
City Dock was damaged by a hurricane in 1926 and rebuilt to about half its original length. It collapsed entirely in 1930.
|
|
|
|
Did You Know?
The Bath House of Punta Gorda
|
Saltwater bathing was a "thing" in 1916. So much so, it became an attraction in Punta Gorda every day of the year. From ancient civilizations to today, salt and the sea has been associated with health and therapy. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, was the first one to detail the benefits of using sea water to cure various ailments. He encouraged his fellow healers to immerse patients with aching muscles and arthritis in sea water. The ancient Greeks continued this thinking by soaking in sea water hot tubs and heated seaweed bath's, they drank and inhaled sea water for health, got sea water massages, had sea green facials and body wraps, and used sea water pools for hydrotherapy and elimination of toxins from the body.
I really enjoyed reading the Punta Gorda History Center's Blog by Theresa Murtha, about the Ladies Who Built the Bath House in Punta Gorda,
(
www.puntagordahistorycenter.com
) as seen below:
At a time in the Country when women were denied a political voice and an opportunity to explore topics beyond children and household chores, woman’s clubs were formed for civic, enrichment, social and charitable purposes and became an important part of the fabric of cities and towns throughout the nation. These clubs, most of which had started out as social and literary gatherings, eventually became a source of reform for various issues in the U.S
Punta Gorda in the late 19th and early 20th century was a new frontier whose business and civic life was dominated by men. The women of the young town used clubs to participate in an active social and intellectual life, but also were formed to make an impact on the growing community. One of these groups explicitly formed to address civic issues was the Ladies Civic Improvement Association (a forerunner of the Woman's Club still active today).. Not only did these women push for changes in the community, often successfully (getting the city to stop cattle from roaming the streets, for example), they published a booklet to promote Punta Gorda in pictures and words, and raised money for community projects. One such project was this Municipal Bath House.
The Municipal Bath House was built off the City Dock of the day which extended into the harbor from Sullivan Street. The Bath House officially opened in April of 1916 came about as a result of the Ladies’ Civic Improvement Association’s fundraising efforts. The ladies raised two thousand dollars, organized volunteer labor and acquired donated material to erect the swimming platform with a pavilion and dressing rooms. They held suppers, participated in the annual Punta Gorda Pfun Festival with booths, and organized even more bizarre fundraising projects. According to Vernon Peeples one event was a great snake fight between rattlers and black snakes.
The Ladies also ran the facility and developed and posted rules for the patrons of the house. They charged 25 cents for admission which included a suit, towel and room, for 10 cents you could use a room and a towel – no suit. Water, ball and mud throwing wasn’t allowed, but ducking and rough play was allowed outside the ropes. Swearing and obscene language was prohibited, and dancing wasn’t allowed unless previous arrangements had been made.
|
All images courtesy of Punta Gorda History Center.
This archive of Punta Gorda history is open to the public and is located at 512 E. Grace St., Punta Gorda.
|
|
|
|
25 Acres-Kings Hwy
*NOW AVAILABLE*
Can be Divided!
SW Albritton St. Arcadia, FL 34266
|
Highly Desired Property off Kings Hwy!! **FINANCING AVAILABLE**
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.
This beautiful property CAN BE divided into 5 Acre Tracts.
Total Acres: 25 or can be divided
Listing price: Call for Pricing
|
|
|
12.64 Acre Joshua Creek Estate with Multiple RV Hookups, Workshop, Pond and MORE!
3410 County Rd. 760 Arcadia, FL 34266
|
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
Heated Square Feet: 2,779
Listing price: $795,000
|
|
|
|
9.95 Acres Zoned IL on Hwy 70
SE Hwy 70. Arcadia, FL 34266
9.95 Acres zoned Industrial Light. An ideal location to start your light manufacturing or processing business. The IL zoning offers MANY other options as well. This property is located in business friendly Desoto County and has approx. 300 feet of Hwy 70 frontage. Located in growing business corridor with Walmart, Chili’s, Publix, Walgreens and DeSoto Automall close by.
MLS:
C7400845
Total Acres: 9.95
Listing price: $250,000
|
|
Large Warehouse on 8.5+/- Acres with Prime Hwy 17 Frontage
2692 Nat Ave. Arcadia, FL 34266
|
Large Warehouse with 8.5 Acres Zoned Industrial Light located off of prime Hwy 17 in Arcadia, Florida.
This Gated property offers two buildings, offices, ample parking and outside storage. The Manufacturing building encompasses over 38,000 total square feet with up to 26' high ceilings. Ideal for manufacturing and assembly line operations or distribution. Currently operating as a Machine Shop and manufacturing facility for commercial mowers and fertilizer spreaders.
The Business, inventory, and adjacent 4.69 acres of commercial real estate may be purchased separately. Call today for an appointment.
MLS: C7249402
Total Square Feet: 39,449
Listing price: $1,295,000
|
|
26.25+/- Acres Gorgeous, Florida Land-3 Miles to I-75
SW Peace River St. Arcadia, FL 34266
|
Over Twenty-Six (26.25) Acres of gorgeous, Florida land located in the Lake Suzy area of DeSoto County, with ¼ Mile of Kings Hwy frontage.
Located in an area with good traffic, primed for future development. Just 3 miles to Interstate 75, Shopping Centers, Hotels and Restaurants. Public access to the Peace River at opposite end of Peace River Street.
Acreage is currently Zoned A-5. This area has numerous existing and proposed residential developments with a few areas of commercial and light industrial nearby. Easy access to Punta Gorda Airport and Sarasota County.
MLS: C7241812
Total Acres: 26.25
Listing price: $1,200,000
|
|
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.
He and his wife Jill, also a fourth generation Floridian, reside in Punta Gorda. They have two children, a daughter Peyton and a son Truman.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
