The Punta Gorda herald., 1920-03-18
SALE BRIGHTENS OUTLOOK
FOR TOWNS PROGRESS
Hotel Was Great Obstacle and
Hindered Progress for 20
Years Due to Owners
Indifference
The Hotel Punta Gorda has been
sold and will be modernized

The Hotel Punta Gorda has been
sold and will be modernized.
Ray Payne, of Block Island, R. l.,
who managed the hotel for number
of seasons, is the purchaser, and his
statement that he is owner of the
hotel and that it will be modernized
is sufficient guarantee to all who are
acquainted with him that the words
of the first paragraph state the facts.
The announcement that the hotel
is now owned by Mr.. Payne and that
it will be modernized and kept open
for a long season each year carries
more hope to Punta Gordans than
any made for many years.
Twenty years ago the Hotel Punta
Gorda was probably the largest one
in the state and still ranks with the
largest in size, and was considered
one of the most exclusive of the
Florida resort hotels. In that day it
enjoyed the patronage of a large and
vHalthy clientele, but after other
large hotels, affording every comfort
of modern times were built, and these
comforts and conveniences became to
be regarded as no longer luXuries
but necessities, the once palatial
Hotel Punta Gorda began to lose
ground and has continued to do so,
except during those years when it
was managed by Mr.. Payne, who is
one of the best hotel men in the coun-
try. While the big structure stood
it was seemingly impossible to induce
capitalists to erect a modern hotel,
for all feared that sooner of later the
Hotel Punta Gorda would be brought
up to date and the investment in a
new hotel property would prove a
bad one. Punta Gorda, once the
favorite west coast resort town, lost
out as such and the Hotel Punta
Gorda became an object mere men
tion of which was sufficient to cause
even the religiously inclined 10 say !
things that they never heard IN Gun
day school. It was a white eleph- |
ant" an incubus, that not only pre-
vented the town getting its just share
of tourists but prevented the eTec-
ton Of modern hotels that could
cater to the wealthier class who wish
ed to spend their winters here.
But by the opening date next
year the hotel will have been provid-
ed a new dress, the painting being
an improvement that will alone re-
quire the expenditure of thousands
of dollars; in addition to the IL baths
that have served for many years for
the entire hotel comprising nearly
300 rooms, 40 rooms of the west I
wing will be provided with private
baths or connecting baths; addition
al heating facilities will be installed
to give more heat in the lobby and
dining room and for private rooms;
Il piazza, without roof, extending I
from the end to the middle of the !
east wing, following the circular
outline of the hotel, will be added
FOR the pleasure of those who wish
10 enjoy the sunshine; and the &
grounds will be improved by the ad- |
lition of flower beds and better care c
of the beautiful park occupying the 9
and between hotel and bay.
With these improvements and ad- {
itions, tourists used to the sombre e
,olor of the immense building, and v
its history and condition, S
will hardly recognize it either by in a
erior or exterior appearance when n
hey arrive to spend the winter next II
eason, and it will be possible for t
he management to give service with Ii
which even the wealthiest could find II
10 fault, for Mr.. Payne, unlike some C.
f his predecessors, knows how to o
ater to the most fastidious element. II
While the Hotel Punta Gorda was u
uilt about thirty years ago it is u
till in a remarkable state of pre- 81
ervation. 1t is constructed of only
he choicest lumber, the outside
rails being two layers of siding
overed with cypress westherboard- Sc
1g. none of which appears any the u
rorse for its thirty years battle with II
he elements. The inside of the tc
otel, also, is of the most substan- ),
.al construction and all the wood -
-ork is in splendid state of preser- al
alton. M
When asked what the purchase sc