This mural shows a rippling scroll with portraits and scenes of people who were involved in the development of Punta Gorda.  

Some of the people and scenes depicted in the mural are:

-          Cornelius Ponder, a midwife;

-          The Florida Stompers, a local jazz band and

-          Workers of the turpentine industry representing local life in the community

-          A Lee County school bus was included in the mural as it was used to transport Punta Gorda students to Dunbar School .  

The mural also includes many others:-

 -        John Lomas, one of the early residents who served in the Civil War

-          O.B. Armstrong who also served in the Civil War.  Mr. Armstrong later became a legislator and a re-constructionist

-          Daniel Smith who served as a Trustee of the School Board and was an organizer and builder of the Bethel AME First and Present Church .

-          Robert Meacham who had a varied career as a pastor, Postmaster, State Legislator and Senator.

-          Charles Bailey, one of seven brothers who served in WWII and went on to become one of the famous Tuskegee airmen.

-          Lucille Allen, a well respected teacher

-          Benjamin Baker, founder of Baker School and a noted educator in the community

-          George Brown, a landowner and renowned boat builder and respected equal opportunity employer

-          Sam Kennedy, a fire starter and one the original signers of the Charter for Charlotte County .

 This original mural was destroyed by Hurricane “Charley” on August 13, 2004. The recreation was painted by the original artist, Fran Hine. 

Baker Center School  311 E. Charlotte Avenue

Dedication 11/15/07