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The Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society's history goes back to
the dream of retired Dr. Robert Andrews to feature
historic and educational murals around the city of Punta
Gorda. Mural’s have been very successful in historic towns
around the nation, and in Canada. Dr. Andrews contacted
the Punta Gorda Business Alliance in 1993 for help in promoting
the idea of murals in the historic downtown district. The
proposal was an instant hit with the PGBA Board of Directors.
A committee was named and through a lot of effort, the
Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society was formed in late
1994. Plans got underway for the first mural and a location,
theme, and artist were selected. The large blank wall on
the south end of what was once the Punta Gorda Mall,
located at 115 Tamiami rail (US-41 Northbound), was
available. With support from the mall owner, Wilbur Marvin,
painting by local artist Tom Graham began in January 1995.
The mural was finished in September. Dedication took place
on October 11, 1995.
In getting City Council approval, there was a lot of input
from the public on painting murals on buildings. Some
residents were opposed to the project at first, calling it
“graffiti”. Once the mural was completed, opposition
subsided. Subsequent murals brought even more public s
upport. Residents now take their guests around town,
proudly showing them the murals.
Until hurricane “Charley” struck on Friday, August 13,
2004, more than 90 murals had been painted at 20
different mural sites in Punta Gorda. Then, in less than
an hour, “Charley” destroyed 10 of those sites.
It is currently the short term goal of the PGHMS to
have those destroyed murals repainted by 2010. We
are also continuing to paint new historic murals, and
have completed 23 murals to date.
The longer term goal of the PGHMS is to continue
adding murals to help make Punta Gorda a beautiful and
unique community in which to visit or live.
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