This historic house was owned by businessman and politician August C. Freeman who arrived in Punta Gorda in 1889. He purchased the land in 1903 for the house from Albert Gilchrist, also a local politician who went on to become the 29th governor of Florida. Freeman owned a hardware store that also sold caskets and citrus grove. From 1896 until 1904 he served in the city government including as mayor. From 1905 to 1913 he served as DeSoto County sheriff after which he moved to California. The house was built in a Carpenter Queen Anne style in 1903 on Marion Avenue. This is the only Victorian house in Punta Gorda. In 1985 the house was moved two blocks away to Hargreaves Street where it was restored by the Medical Center Foundation. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 7, 1987. In 2005 to city moved the house to it's current Retta Esplande after Hurricane Charley in 2004. The house is owned by the City of Punta Gorda and is used by the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce and the Punta Gorda Historical Society. Currently the house is closed for major repairs and the Chamber of Commerce has moved to 2702 Tamiami Trail. read more

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