Col. Isaac Trabue* platted his town in 1885 and he dedicated the waterfront for public parks out of the navigable channel. The shoreline was originally close to the edge of today's Retta Esplanade. The City constructed a seawall in 1914 and backfilled it to create building lots for luxury homes. After several lots were sold, the City discovered the dedication clause in Trabue's original plat and bought back the sold lots. The site was landscaped and known simply as City Park. In 1950 the park was named for Albert W. Gilchrist, one of Punta Gorda's original developers.* He served as governor of Florida from 1909-13. The Gazebo on Old Punta Gorda Point was built to replace an earlier Gazebo, built by OPG in 1985 , as part of a planned Living History Museum. That Gazebo was torn down by the City to prepare for development of the area where the City Marina is now located. * See Hall of Honor in Punta Gorda History Center.
