Home Tour & Market

This tiny bungalow was built in 1952. Sometime after, the sun room was added on the side and expanded the square footage to a whopping 1041 sq. ft. But never mind that! The current tenant describes “Palm Cottage” and the gardens as “an escape, an oasis for the mind, body and soul”. The garden has a variety of lush ferns and perennials with poinsettias added for a touch of Christmas. The theme for this house is “Christmas Present”.

Originally built in 1927 this is a shotgun-style house, one room leading into the next without hallways. A matching “sister” house was built next door. The floors are the original Florida pine. The kitchen and bath were updated in 2003 by the present owner. The house came through Charley virtually unscathed which is a testament to good ole Florida Cracker construction. The theme of this house is “A Christmas Carol”.

Originally built in 1960 this 1,000 square foot single family residence on a brick street in the heart of the historic district has had numerous owners. When purchased in 2005 Helen & Howard Kunik completely refinished the kitchen into a bistro setting on its original Florida pine. Previously, solid oak floors were added to the remaining rooms. A soaking/garden tub in the master bath, crown molding, recessed lighting and French doors were also added. The theme for this house is “Christmas Yet to Come”.

With its large screened-in porch, wood floors, and summer kitchen in the back, this Key West style house has changed little since it was built in 1925. The wood used in the construction of this Sears Kit House is Dade County Yellow Pine. From the mid 1930’s until mid 1980’s, descendants of Fritz Quednau from Alsace-Lorraine, France, lived here. He and his German-born wife Minnie came to Punta Gorda in 1892 and opened a cigar factory. The theme for this house is “Christmas Past”.

First United Methodist Church
507 W Marion Ave

The Methodists first organized on July 3, 1887 and were the first congregation in Punta Gorda. Until the church was built, the congregation met in the Community Hall built by Colonel Isaac Trabue in 1887. In 1889, the congregation purchased the present property for $250.

In 1910 a hurricane badly damaged the building and forced the congregation to plan a new structure. In 1913 forty thousand bricks were donated from the abandoned icehouse that stood on Berry Street. On June 1, 1915 the congregation began using the church shell without windows and interior fixtures. The church is estimated to have cost $10,000 to complete.

On August 13, 2004 Hurricane Charley damaged the stain glass windows in the sanctuary. The large round window over the altar was repaired leaving a piece of clear glass as a remembrance of Charley at the 4 o’clock spot

The Life Center was added in 2003. Please visit the sanctuary and learn more about the church history. Refreshments are served during the Home Tour in Lenox Hall.