115 Gill Street

 

Purchased by Grove Cochran, born in 1834 in New York and a Union Army veteran. He moved to Charlotte Harbor in 1885. He volunteered for a six-year voyage on a whaling ship at age 13; sailed the Great Lakes, worked as a locomotive engineer on the railroad, served under Gen. Sherman in the Civil War and had a bayonet wound as a souvenir. He claimed a pharmacist certification in Arkansas and opened a pharmacy on Marion Avenue upon moving to Punta Gorda. The house currently contains many of its original features and the front door is original. Eyebrow windows, hardwood floors, beadboard throughout and 12 foot ceilings.

 

115 Gilchrist Street - Price House / 501 Shreve Street, History Park

 In 1915 Philadelphia architect Benjamin D. Price and his wife, Mary, combined two side by side cottages into one home.  B.D. Price was a noted church designer, the United Methodist Church on W. Marion Ave. is based on one of his plans.  Their son, Max Charles Price, also an architect joined them in 1918.  He designed several buildings in the area including the Grunwell House (Villa Bianca) in Solana and the county Stockade on Florida St.  Max Price was the first city manager and later served as mayor.  The Price House was originally sited at 115 Gilchrist St.  It was used as a bed and breakfast inn known as the Gilchrist Bed & Breakfast Inn, when it was sold to an investor who planned to demolish it.  The new owner was persuaded to donate it to the Historical Society instead of demolishing it. * It was moved to History Park in February 2005.

 

554 West Marion Avenue/501 Shreve Street, History Park

Currently in 

Punta Gorda History Park

554 West Marion Avenue

*In 1915 Philadelphia architect Benjamin D. Price and his wife, Mary, bridged two side by side cottages into one home.  B.D. Price was a noted church designer, the United Methodist Church on W. Marion Ave. is based on one of his plans.  Their son, Max Charles Price, also an architect joined them in 1914/18.  He designed several buildings in the area including the Grunwell House (Villa Bianca*) in Solana and the county Stockade on Florida St.  Max Price was the first city manager and later served as mayor.  The Price House was originally sited at 115 Gilchrist St.  It was used as a bed and breakfast inn when it was sold to an investor who planned to demolish it.  The home was restored in the late 1990s by Hal Wotitzky, the great grandson of Jacob Wotitzky, one of Punta Gorda's first settlers. He was persuaded to donate it to the Historical Society instead of demolishing it. It was moved to History Park in February 2005.  

Jacob Wotitzky's first home in Punta Gorda c1890 was at 123 Gill Street (also listed in this blog).

109 Dolly Street

This home built originally for railroad workers is an example of the pre-railroad traditional British folk form that was prevalent throughout much of the Southeast United States.   Platted in Trabue, it faces a 50' wide street. The plat map is dated June 1, 1889 and signed by Albert W. Gilchrist, civil engineer and surveyor and filed with the Clerk of the Desoto County Circuit Court.