The mural site, now Quality Self Storage, is owned by Brad Baldwin and together with the grandchildren (Desguin family) of the late Frank Rigell all donated to this mural as a reminder of the contributions Rigell made to the local economy as owner of the Rigell Lumber & Supply Company.  The mural illustrates turn of the century lumber and building history of Charlotte County based on Historic photos. 

Rigell, known as “Big Hank”, came to Punta Gorda in 1925 to manage the West Company Lumber & Supply Co. When the land boom ended the lumber yard went into bankruptcy.  Rigell bought the building and remaining stock.  At that time the railroad owned the land and rented it.  

During World War II, Rigell’s  two daughters. Peggy, later Mrs. Victor Desquin, and Jean, worked in the yard just like men because most able bodied men were in the military.  Rigell Lumber & Supply Co. also operated the first concrete cement and block plant in the county.  The raw materials of sacks of cement and sand had to be unloaded from train gondola card by hand.  A lot of  building materials were shipped by barge from the Punta Gorda docks to the island in Charlotte Harbor for new homes. 

The panels (1) harvesting trees; (2) a sawmill; (3) unloading building materials by hand from a railroad siding; (4) women working during WW II; (5) delivery of materials on a barge; and (6) construction  of a church.

Dedicated 2001