Local Black History

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CThis 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 re-creation was painted by the original artist, Fran Hine.  It was re-dedicated on November 15, 2007.

Images

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