1250 Cooper Street - Charlotte High School

Construction of the school began in 1926 in response to student overcrowding caused by rapid development after the first bridge was built across Charlotte Harbor. Construction was delayed that year due to a hurricane, and the first commencement took place in the school’s auditorium, as the building’s classrooms were still under construction. 

This was the only high school in Charlotte County until Lemon Bay High School in the Englewood area was built in 1972 and Port Charlotte High School in 1981.  Until desegregation in 1963, students of color were bussed to Fort Myers for high school.  After Hurricane Charley in 2004 damaged the Charlotte High School building, extensive repairs were made.  The facade of the building was kept as originally designed.

Charlotte High School is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  FMSF #8CH443.  

 * The first complete high school in Punta Gorda was built  in 1896 located at 215 Goldstein Street, the site of Schoolhouse Apartments until 1909 when a new school was built as the high school age population grew.