501 Shreve Street - the Calaboose

` Calaboose comes from the Spanish term calaboozo for jail or cell.  It was a common name for small holding cells found in many pioneer towns.  This 10 x 16 foot cage is made from riveted iron bands.  It served as the city jail from 1889-1928 when it was replaced by the county's first jail in the Charlotte County Courthouse on Taylor Street.  The iron bands of the calaboose were once covered by an iron roof.  The cage apparently had two swing-down bunks on either end.  The swinging front doors were locked by a padlock.  The apparatus was installed on Herald Court in downtown Punta Gorda.  The Calaboose ended its days on Jim and Patsy Parker's Washington Loop Ranch before being given to the Historical Society.  The Parkers gave the Calaboose to the Punta Gorda Historical Society in honor of his father, Edwin M. Parker, who was Mayor of Punta Gorda in 1941.  D&M Construction moved the Calaboose from the Ranch to town.

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.