The Breathtaking Port Charlotte
When planning a vacation, you should always look for a place that will interest you. Do you love staying active in sports such as kayaking or skiing? Or do you enjoy being on the beach and relaxing with the sounds of the sea? Port Charlotte could be one of those places. Located in southern Florida, Port Charlotte has plenty of beaches to choose from.
The History
The first entrants to the area were the Paleo-Indians who came to the Port Charlotte region during the last ice age, around 10,000 BC. At that time, Port Charlotte was not a coastal area like it is now.
The initial Paleo-Indians eventually gave way to the Calusa people who multiplied to a total of over 50,000. The local population lived in peace until the Europeans immigrated and brought with them diseases, such as smallpox and measles.
The Seminole were the last to arrive, and they settled on the Florida peninsula. By 1845, Florida became the 27th state of the U.S after the Spanish gave it up their claim to the land in 1819. Development was slow in the first 100 years as Port Charlotte was inaccessible and local populations were small.
The city began to significant growth immediately after World War 2. Port Charlotte had potential, and speculation that there was a chance Port Charlotte would grow began to increase. In 1950, local developers, the Mackle brothers, took a leap of faith and purchased land in the coastal regions of Florida. Port Charlotte was among the principal areas they developed.
Over the years, due to increasing development, Port Charlotte became one of the most populated communities in south Florida. However, the state is known for its violent and expensive hurricanes, and in 2004, Port Charlotte experienced a severe set back due to costly damages as a result of a storm. Hurricane Charley landed in Port Charlotte on August 13th, 2004, and to date, it is still one of the costliest hurricanes in the entire U.S.
Since then, the city has worked hard to come back from hurricane loss and re-establish itself. In particular, the real estate industry has thrived in Port Charlotte over the years.
What’s Unique?
The Port Charlotte marine is one of the world’s largest protected marine estuaries. It ranges a total of 270 square miles while the shoreline is 219 miles. It also houses numerous golf courses and the award-winning Charlotte Sports Park.
Port Charlotte is also home to the Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training which has been previously named by USA Today as the best spring training ground in the country. The beach scene is spectacular here, and numerous breathtaking beaches include Boca Grande, Englewood, Siesta Key, Blind Pass, and Manasota. Lastly, the city is not incorporated but still has the highest population in its county.
Port Charlotte has won numerous awards for its laid-back community and inviting feel.
In 2009 Port Charlotte was ranked number one on a list of 25 Best Places to Retire; in 2012, the U.S News & World Report also listed it as one of the best places to retire; in 2015, Forbes also named it among the 25 Best Places to Retire.
Port Charlotte is home to many types of warm-weather flora and fauna that attract people to seaside life. What’s even more amazing is that some homes sit on bodies of water. Port Charlotte is a fantastic and inviting place to explore.