The Punta Gorda herald., 1922-12-15
Promoter Outlines Plan Carrying Out
of Which VIII Mean Much to
Towns Future

Plans for development which will
mean much TO the future of Punta
IGorda and vicinity were outlined at
a gathering of local and Avon Park
business men on the banks of Alliga-
tor creek last Friday. The gather
ling partook of the nature of a pic
mic, which had been arranged by j.
IT. Swinney, cashier of the First Ma
tional Bank, and who is responsible
for the decision of r. |. Harris, the
promoter of the club development
plan, to purchase a large tract skirt
ling the banks. of picturesque Alliga-
tor creek, about four miles southwest
of Punta GOrda.
Mr.. Harris, who is the promoter of
the Cloudland development at Chat
Itanooga, one of the highest class club
colonies in the south, outlined his
plan, which is, briefly, as follows:
To improve the tract along the creek
bank by clearing up where needed,
constructing roads, fences, etc.
-Ni'hS WIN lilo WI tue lIdCl VIII
be divided into lots, which will be
sold to the people desiring home
building sites in Florida. Only we'll
to-dO people who are able to erect
substantial houses will be given an
opportunity to buy lots in the deveI-
Iopment, and with all the attractions
offered by Florida and the ideal loca-
ton selected for the development it
will be no hard matter to sell the
lots TO such people, and the carrying
out of the plan will mean that hun
dreds of well-to-do winter residents
will be added to the population of
this community; and of course GER
tain percent of these will eventually
become permanent residents. Mr..
| Harris would like for local people to
join him in financing the develop
ment by subscribing for a certain
amount of stock but he does not de-
mand it and it is understood that
whether he is assisted in financing it
by local people or not he will proceed
with his plans.
Local people are enthusiastic over
the possibilities of such develop
ment and all agree that it would be
a big factor in the development of
the town and surrounding country.
The site selected, which it is un-
derstood was sold for something like
80 900, is admirably located, extend
ing along the creek banks for about
easily reached from the hard road.
The banks of the creek here are high
| and nature has conspred to make
the entire course Of the river a tropi
cal scene of surprising beauty.
A $4,000 clubhouse is TO be erect
cd with twenty-five rooms for guests
land families and a stage floor in rus
Itic style in the third floor. To finance
the affair and maintain the clubhouse
cottage sites will be sold along the
rlver which will be boulevarded and
landscaped.
Members will be restricted to the
sional men throughout the country
and buildings will all be of the most
modern design.
The club is to be maintained along
lines somewhat different from some
notable clubs somewhat simlar-one
difference having been an
nOunced by Mr.. Harris when he first
undertook the organization. There
IS to be a ban on booze. 1T must
De such a place that any man will
not hesitate to bring his family with
him." said Mr.. Harris. Part of the
ract-fine citrus lands to be set
abilities are seen in a dozen scatter
ID trees which were left when fire de-
'astated the grove once there. These
rees, without any attention for sew
ear until their limbs bend almost
o the ground.
The tract is fenced and landscape
rtists are already considering plans
f roads and walks through the
roperty
1t is expected to have the club
ouse completed and ready in the
ear future. A boathouse will be
nished also and the club will main
ain a number of craft with tackle
Dr. its members. Guides will of
curse be available if desired.
The site is only three hours ride
'om Avon Park and but little more
'om Lake Wales or Sebring 1t is an
our from Arcadia and Fort Myers
nd but two hours from Wauchula
nd Fort Meade
Those who came here from the
dge country to the fish fry were
enry West, II. c. Garner, William
ing, b. n. James, A. +. Ellison. G.
Pentecost, S. E. Galley, G.. L.
ra,Uc Pow n L. Cutfaridpa c w