The original picture of the first city Council is dated 1889. The men are identified as (L to R) Thomas Hector, City Clerk; J.0. Swisher, Alderman; E.L Fishback, Marshal; W.H.Burkland, Alderman; Kelly B. Harvey, Alderman; Neil Dahl, Alderman and James L Sandlin, Alderman. No one is designated as Mayor and no mention is made of W.H. Simmom, who was elected Mayor at the 1887 incorporation meeting. Further, Fishback seems to have replaced John Stanfield who was elected Marshal at that meeting. 

The scenes surrounding the First City Council members depict historical places and happenings of that time.  For example, (L to R) (1) The Alice Howard, a mail and tour boat; (2) In 1885 Fred Remington, renown Western artist came to Punta Gorda and this scene is taken from one of his paintings showing a man fishing with his guide; (3) Sailing a homemade Sharpie Gaff rigged Knockabout; (4) Hotel Punta Gorda; (5) The Gaff Rigged Ketch belonged to Caldwell Colt heir to the Colt Gun Company; (6) One of the articles Fred Remington wrote about Punta Gorda was about the “Cow Hunters,” also called "Crackers” as cattle were an, important part of the commerce of the city; (7) Florida Southern Railway carried fish, cattle, produce and wealthy tourists to Punta Gorda; (8) The Hector House owned by Thomas Hector, City Clerk; (9) Phosphate ship the Louis Luckenbar at Port of Punta Gorda about 1904; (10) Tarpon fishing was a popular sport among the winter visitors and residents; (11) A Sharpie Gaff Rigged Ketch in 1900 was 70 feet long, carried a three man crew.

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Dedicated August 8, 2001