Greetings!
Thank you for joining me for this month's newsletter. It's hard to believe that DeSoto County is about to turn 137 years old on May 19th! Discover the fascinating story behind DeSoto's origins and the iconic Peace River Bridge by reading on below.
Your feedback is valuable to me, so please don't hesitate to share your thoughts by replying.
Additionally, feel free to visit my website waltbethel.com where you can browse my listings, search for properties, and explore my archived newsletters and stories on the history of Florida.
Walt
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Journey Through Time: The Peace River Historic Bridge - Then and Now |
In the early days of Arcadia and DeSoto County pioneering families used a ferry to cross the Peace River. A bridge was built in 1892. Due to it being made of wood it was soon replaced with a second wooden bridge in 1896. Later an iron bridge was constructed by the Converse Bridge Company of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Around 1917 this iron bridge collapsed while cattle were being driven across it. The iron bridge was repaired, however, it continued to deteriorate and become unsafe.
In October of 1924 the county entered into a contract with the Luten Bridge Company of York, PA. and Palatka, FL. to build a new bridge at a cost of $25,500. That bridge was completed in June of 1925.
The bridge design consists of closed-spandrel arch with 4 reinforced concrete spans measuring 201 feet long with a deck width of 18 feet. The length of the largest span is 44 feet. It was originally built for old State Road 18 which later became State Road 70 which was a major east-west route that ran from Fort Pierce to Bradenton.
It included a standard solid parapet with cast-in rectangular patterns. The closed spandrel walls were filled with compacted earth and rock. Decorative columns for lamppost lighting were erected on the sidewalls.
The structure now serves as a pedestrian bridge and carries a utility pipeline across the Peace River. The installation of the pipeline led to damage to the wing walls at each end of the south railing. The original lampposts have been removed.
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Citrus Spotlight
A newly discovered orange tree may offer hope to Florida's citrus industry
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Officials are hopeful that a newly discovered Donaldson tree could offer a reprieve to citrus growers struggling with greening, according to Ben Rosson, the bureau chief of Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
“(Citrus greening) has truly been the most devastating disease that we have had in our industry," Rosson said. "And couple that with the hurricanes that we've had come through the last couple of years…that's the reason why the crop is so low this year."
Growers found the tree by chance while giving a tour of a farm in Groveland, located in central Florida. A citrus farmer noticed that the Donaldson tree was still producing fruit and acting differently than other trees in the grove.
"They did some fruit test to determine the Brix/acid ratio and determined, 'Hey, it's good fruit, is there something here?'" Rosson said. "This tree has been here over 30 years. It's surviving. It's holding on. It's doing well."
Officials also found that the Donaldson tree is continuing to produce fruit despite being infected by citrus greening.
“It's still growing, it still has a good canopy on it. And the fruit is still good. It doesn't have the fruit drop that a lot of our early varieties have now,” he said.
The hope is that the new tree will help rectify some of the problems seen in Florida's most precious crop since 2006, when citrus greening was first found.
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Arcadia Watermelon Festival
8 a.m. to 8 p.m., May 27th
DeSoto County Fairgrounds
Come join the fun, music and more ... even a watermelon eating contest!
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DeSoto County, Florida’s 42nd county was created by the Florida legislature on May 19th 1887. It was named for Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto who landed in present-day Tampa Bay in 1539 and embarked on an extensive journey throughout the southeastern United States until his death on the banks of the Mississippi River in 1542. The earliest settlement in DeSoto County was Fort Ogden built in 1841 during the Second Seminole War, and a small community grew around the original fort site. When it was first created, DeSoto County comprised present-day Charlotte, Glades, Highlands and Hardee Counties. The county seat and largest city is Arcadia.
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223+ Acre Hamlin/Valencia Grove
9 J Whitaker Rd. Venus, FL 33960
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223.25 Acre Hamlin/Valencia Grove in Venus, Florida. This property could continue as a producing grove or be converted to farm land. A mobile home, two barns and one permitted 12” well are already in place. An additional 900+ contiguous grove acres are also available.
Total Acres: 223.25
List Price: $1,900,000
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52 Acres
SW Hull Ave. Arcadia, FL 34269
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52+ acres with close proximity to Hwy 17 in Ft. Ogden, zoned A-5. This property features one permitted 8” well with a quarter mile of road frontage plus an abundance of wooded area. A perfect spot to build your new estate home and still have plenty of land to graze your horses or cattle. The future land use zoning of Neighborhood Mixed Use also provides potential for residential development. Up to 3.5-5 units per acre. LOTS OF OPTIONS!! Call today for a showing!
Total Acres: 52
List Price: $777,000
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20+ Acres with 3/2 Home
1232 NW Myrtle Ave. Arcadia, FL 34266
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Country living at its finest! On 20+ acres come experience the peace and tranquility this beautifully renovated, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home has to offer. Set amongst majestic oaks at then end of a quiet street, you will be welcomed by open grazing land for your beloved farm animals. Home is well-maintained with over 1,000 sqft, open living area and updated kitchen. High quality vinyl floors throughout whole home. Master Suite offers tiled shower. The screened back porch is ideal for family gatherings and those late evenings sitting outside admiring the sunset over your Florida property. Property is two 10 acre parcels both zoned RM. Less than 5 miles to downtown Arcadia, with easy access to Charlotte and Sarasota County. Set up your showing of this beautiful home and property today!
Total Sq Ft: 1,050
MLS: C7466560
List Price: $649,999
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SOLD!
10 Acres! Come build your dream home
3351 SW Martin Lane Arcadia, FL 34266
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10 acres perfect to build your dream home with lots of space for horses and livestock. Come enjoy your very own private sanctuary tucked away at the end of a deeded access cul-de-sac. Property is located with convenient access to Arcadia, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte or Sarasota with shopping, dining, medical and recreation available within route of Kings Hwy, Hwy 17 or Hwy 72. Great opportunity, call today for a showing!
Total Acres: 10.08
Sold Price: $210,000
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453 Acre Farm
13505 Sugarbowl Rd. Myakka City, FL 34251
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453 acre farm currently in Watercress production. This extremely well kept property could also be utilized for limitless produce production in addition to the watercress. This property features a combined 25,000 sqft+ of packing facilities, walk-in cooler, quality control area, warehouse, barns, and office space. There are 4 pump house stations with a central 12” well. This farm is located less than 2 miles to Hwy 70 in Manatee County with easy access to I-75. Call today to hear more about this lucrative opportunity.
Total Acres: 453
List Price: $4,200,000
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Potential Housing or Industrial Opportunity Awaits!
5871 Hwy 31 #12 Arcadia, FL 34266
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POTENTIAL INDUSTRIAL OR HOUSING OPPORTUNITY AWAITS! Multiple buildings with dozens of individual rooms, bathrooms, office space, and cafeteria. Located in South DeSoto County directly off Hwy 31 on approximately 17 acres.This property was previously a part of the state owned juvenile justice center. ONLY 20 -30 minutes to Babcock Ranch, Ft Myers, Punta Gorda and Interstate 75.
Total Acres: 17
List Price: $5,000,000
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PENDING!
204+/- Acres Manatee County
42055 Parks Rd. Myakka City, FL 34251
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204+ Acres of Valencia Orange grove in Manatee County. This property includes a manufactured home and two permitted 12 inch wells. Located centrally between Hwy 64 and Hwy 70 off of Wauchula Rd near Myakka City. CALL TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Total Acres: 204.66
Listing Price: $2,000,000
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SOLD!
653+ Acres Charlotte County
44511 Neal Rd. Punta Gorda, FL 33982
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635+ Total Acres with approximately 475 acre income producing Orange Grove. This property features Hamlins and Valencia orange trees, a 12” permitted well and barn. In addition, there is a small cabin with beautiful woods. This secluded location is abundant with wild game including hogs, deer and turkeys. This property is located off Hwy 31, centrally located within 20 miles to either Arcadia or Ft. Myers. Don’t miss this opportunity!
Total Acres: 635.96
Sold Price: $6,373,100
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Parcels Ranging 6-20 Acres Charlotte County
Neal Rd. Punta Gorda, FL 33982
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Mutiple 6-20 Acres of desirable land is waiting for YOU! Offering a quiet and private setting, yet within minutes to Hwy 31 with convenient access into Arcadia, Punta Gorda or Ft. Myers. Ideal building site for your dream home with plenty of space for a barn or animals. Zoning is AG which allows for agriculture and residential and NO deed restrictions.
Listing Price: $149,000-$298,000
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Walt Bethel is a fifth generation Floridian, born and raised in Arcadia, with a vast knowledge of all areas of Florida Real Estate and an ardent appreciation for Florida history.
The purchase and development of his first orange grove when he was just sixteen years old fueled Walt's passion for real estate.
Since then, he has bought, owned, and sold a wide variety of properties throughout a successful business career. His investments have included acreage, agricultural properties, residential homes, condos, and commercial properties.
Walt's marketing and sales experience was cultivated over time at his family's business, Bethel Farms, where he marketed, managed, and sold products to "Big Box" retailers across the Southeastern and Midwestern United States.
From an early age, Walt's dad instilled in him the values to work hard and always have a goal, to look for a better way of doing things, and to constantly improve on them.
The daily implementation of these principles, coupled with his enjoyment of networking with new people and his experience in business, sales, and marketing, have contributed to Walt's success as a Realtor.
Walt has served on various boards and committees throughout the years. He has coached and actively supports local youth athletic programs and leagues.
He and his wife Jill, also a fourth generation Floridian, reside in Punta Gorda. They have two children, Peyton and Truman.
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