Albert Waller Gilchrist in Punta Gorda
A Florida City was Home to a Florida Governor and War Hero
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
United States of America
Originally from South Carolina, Gilchrist set his sites on Florida after leaving West Point. He was elected to the House of Representatives before joining the US Army in the Spanish-American War.
After the Spanish-American War, Gilchrist returned to Florida and was elected State Governor. His legacy was public health.
Gilchrist's legacy is far more in depth to Punta Gorda. Gilchrist's residences are well documented, one being the A.C. Freeman House - a fully restored Victorian home transplanted to the corner of U.S. 41 and Retta Esplande so travelers venturing over the Gilchrist Bridge can rest their eyes on this beautiful residence - and the other being the Gilchrist House - a renovated one-story home that's being transformed into a museum within the boundaries of History Park. He platted Charlotte County's second oldest cemetery, Indian Spring Cemetery, that rests along the banks of Alligator Creek and is the final resting place of Governor Gilchrist.
Governor Gilchrist was a Grand Master Mason of the Masons of Florida, an association that played a prominent role in his adult life.
Gilchrist Park was established in honour of Albert W. Gilchrist. Its 11 acres are a prime selection of the eternal charm and carefree lifestyle that's the paradise dream the settlers worked so hard to establish in the untamed southwest Florida wilderness.
Gilchrist County, located elsewhere in Florida, is also named after Governor Gilchrist.
Published by Maggie Lee
I'm a mother of four, step mother of two, yogini and history nerd. View profile
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1 Comments
Post a CommentDear Ms. Weems -- I'm curious about the documentation you found to establish the Freeman House and the "Gilchrist House" as former residences of Albert Gilchrist. The structure you call the "Gilchrist House" (which is actually called the Price House) was formerly known as the Gilchrist Bed and Breakfast Inn -- because it was located on Gilchrist Street, not because Gilchrist ever lived there. When Gilchrist (a bachelor) resided in Punta Gorda, he lived at the Hotel Dade (later called the Seminole Hotel), which was sited a half-block from his office on Marion Avenue. I have found nothing to indicate that he ever lived in the Freeman House (other than wishful thinking on the part of the Freeman House docents). If you have documentation that proves otherwise, I would love to include it in our reference material. Many thanks - Lynn Harrell, docent, Punta Gorda History Park