The original mural was destroyed by Hurricane “Charley” on August 13, 2004. The re-creation of this mural is scheduled for the Fall of 2007.

Original Mural: The four Best Western Hotel murals were a celebration of wildlife found in Charlotte County.  Two distinctly different environments were depicted.  The two panels under the canopy were a split screen format showing aquatic life and grasses beneath the water with snook, crabs, turtles, dolphin and manatees.  Above the water line were some of the varied kinds of bird life: blue heron, pelicans, Sandhill crane, Roseate Spoonbill and Sandpipers.

The outer two panels, facing south, illustrate the Babcock Ranch.  Bayvue, Inc., the mural sponsor, owned the hotel and the famous ranch.  This was a typical view of cypress and other swamp vegetation, trees with moss and air plants.  The animals featured here are the endangered Florida panther along with the alligator, deer, white egret, anhinga and frigate bird.  The adjacent panel includes Mr. Fred Babcock and the various kinds of livestock found at the ranch.

Some of the more unique animals included bison and a memorial portrait of LuLu, the three-horned cow that lived at the ranch.  Liz Hutchinson began the mural February 1 and it was dedicated April 8, 1998.

Recreated Mural: This mural was created by the original artist with emphasis on the aquatic life and grasses represented in two of the original murals. Dedicated October 18, 2007.

Artist

Location

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Sponsor

Original: Bayvue, Inc.  Re-creation: City of Punta and the Punta Gorda Community Redevelopment Agency