September 2026 Newsletter | | |
Greetings!
There’s something about September that brings back a familiar rhythm, especially when Friday nights start filling with football, school spirit, and community tradition. This month, I’m taking a look at how those traditions became part of life here in Southwest Florida, along with the story behind Charlotte High’s Fighting Tarpon and the history tied to one of Punta Gorda’s most recognizable symbols.
As always, thank you for following along and for your continued support.
Walt
| | Before Friday Night Lights: When Football Became Part of Small-Town | |
Long before stadium lights illuminated Friday nights across Southwest Florida, high school football was becoming part of the rhythm of growing towns like Punta Gorda, Arcadia and Wauchula.
The story reaches back more than a century, to a time when these communities looked very different than they do today.
In Wauchula, the predecessor of today's Hardee High School became a county high school in 1903. Its first graduating class followed in 1906 with just four students: three girls and one boy. As the community grew, so did its schools. A new Wauchula High School building opened in the spring of 1926, and historical football records place Hardee's football program as far back as the early 1920s.
The timing is significant. Hardee County itself had only been created a few years earlier, in 1921, when the much larger DeSoto County was divided. Football was developing alongside a new county identity, and the local school increasingly became one of the places where that identity could be displayed.
Arcadia's school history reaches back even further. The former DeSoto County High School building that stands within today's Arcadia Historic District was constructed in 1914. Florida Memory records preserve images of that building, a reminder of the period when high schools were becoming permanent civic institutions in Florida's smaller towns.
By the 1920s, football was already being played between schools throughout the region. Surviving schedules from the period show DeSoto and Hardee competing against schools such as Mulberry, Fort Meade and others across inland Florida. One surviving record from 1925 lists Arcadia's DeSoto team defeating Mulberry 40-6, while a 1926 record shows Hardee defeating Mulberry 18-0. Those old scores offer a glimpse of how established intercommunity competition had already become.
Punta Gorda's story unfolded during the same era.
Charlotte High School's historic main building was constructed in 1926, during Florida's great land boom, when Punta Gorda's growing population created the need for a larger public school. Originally known as Punta Gorda High School, the building later became Charlotte High School and served as the community's principal educational facility for decades. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
Today its teams are known as the Fighting Tarpons, a mascot particularly suited to a community whose identity has long been connected to Charlotte Harbor and the legendary game fish found in its waters. The school itself describes the tarpon as representing tenacity, survivability and majesty.
What began in an era of small graduating classes, newly formed counties and young Florida towns eventually became one of autumn's most familiar traditions.
The uniforms changed. Schools were rebuilt and expanded. Generations of students came and went.
But more than a century after some of the area's earliest teams first took the field, a fall Friday night can still bring much of a community together in one place.
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13th Annual Arcadia Fall Rodeo
October
16th-18th
Experience one of Arcadia’s favorite traditions, where Florida’s cowboy heritage comes alive with exciting rodeo action, skilled competitors, and the authentic small-town atmosphere that makes DeSoto County special.
More Info:
Arcadia Rodeo
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Charlotte High School’s Fighting Tarpon has not always looked the way we know it today.
The school dates to 1926, but its distinctive boxing-glove-wearing Fighting Tarpon emblem came decades later. The Class of 1959 is credited with introducing the familiar design, created by art teacher Pat Adams for a Tarpon flag.
The choice was especially fitting for Punta Gorda, a community long tied to Charlotte Harbor and the sport fishing that helped put this part of Florida on the map.
Today, Charlotte High describes the tarpon as representing tenacity, survivability and majesty, helping turn a local fish into one of Punta Gorda’s most recognizable symbols.
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30+ Acres
SE Hwy 31 #30 Arcadia, FL
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Walk through 30 acres of Florida woodland where tall pines and wide-spreading oaks cast shifting shade across your own stretch of land. Deer trails weave through the property, the air feels quieter, and the pace slows the moment you arrive. Set back with a private feel, yet close enough for a quick 5 minute run into Publix/Walmart or local restaurants when needed. Electric nearby keeps future plans within reach, whether that’s a cabin, campsite, or something more permanent. With both Hwy 70 and Hwy 31 nearby, travel across the state or south toward Ft. Myers stays simple and convenient. Property may require approval from County to be split from parent parcel. For weekend use or future plans, it’s ready when you are!
Total Acres: 30
List Price: $575,000
Click here for more info
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SOLD!
185+ Acres
SE C& H Dr Arcadia, FL
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185+ acres offering excellent potential for an agricultural venture. Located in DeSoto County just south of Arcadia off Hog Bay Extension, this expansive tract offers a wide range of potential uses and is ideal for farming or a variety agricultural ventures. Four permitted deep water wells are in place. Convenient access to Highway 31 allows easy travel to Fort Myers and Arcadia.
Sold Price: $2,250,000
Total Acres: 185
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SOLD!
89+ Acres
7057 SE CO Rd 763 Arcadia, FL
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SOLD!
31+ Acres
2270 Griffin Rd Wauchula, FL 33873
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31+ acres on Griffin Road on the east side of Wauchula with easy access to Hwy 64. Featuring 1,335+ feet of road frontage, this A-1 zoned property sits in Flood Zone X and is cleared and ready for your vision. Whether you're dreaming of a private estate, recreational retreat, or investment opportunity, this property offers space, access, and endless potential.
Sold Price: $542,750
Total Acres: 31
Click here to view more
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Development Potential
SE Hwy 31 #30 Arcadia, FL
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Potential business/industrial park development on 29+ acres featuring 15 existing mixed-use buildings and internal paved road already in place. The property is located off Hwy 31 with an average daily traffic count of approximately 6,700 and offers convenient access to Arcadia (5 minutes), Fort Myers, Interstate 75, and the Gulf Coast, as well as approximately 25 minutes to Babcock Ranch. The site is currently unzoned; however, the Future Land Use designation is Urban Center, allowing for rezoning into a variety of uses including commercial, office, institutional, multi-family, duplex, attached and single-family residential, and mixed-use development. Light industrial uses, including enclosed manufacturing and warehousing, may also be permitted with appropriate buffering and design considerations. Public water and electricity are available, with sewer access nearby.
List Price: $2,950,000
Total Acres: 29.57
Click here to view more
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Income Producing Opportunity
2525 Bobcat Village Center Rd. North Port, FL 34288
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 | | Exceptional income-producing property offers a rare opportunity to invest in the rapidly growing North Port/I-75 corridor. Situated in Sarasota County within the Bobcat Village Center and adjacent to the Sarasota Memorial Emergency Room, the property consists of two Key West-style buildings totaling approximately 12,100 heated square feet. Building #1 includes five units (approx. 5,800 sq/ft), and Building #2 includes six units (approx. 6,200 sq/ft). All units are currently leased, offering a 100% occupancy rate and immediate cash flow for the new owner. The site features 50 on-site parking spaces and is zoned PCD (Planned Community Development), a highly flexible designation that allows for a variety of uses including medical, office, daycare, and more. These buildings are to be sold together and cannot be separated. Ideally located just 3 miles from I-75, 2.5 miles from US-41, and directly across from a premier golf course community, this well-maintained property presents a compelling opportunity for investors seeking stable income and long-term growth in a high-demand area
List Price: $2,800,000
Click here to view more
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13,000sqft Warehouse
5000 Hwy 31 #W Arcadia, FL 34266
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13,000 SqFt Warehouse located off Hwy 31 with LOADS OF POTENTIAL. Warehouse features two roll up doors with loading ramp, walk-in cooler, and office space. Less than 10 minutes to Hwy 70 intersection, 25 minutes to Babcock Ranch development and only 35 minutes to Ft. Myers and I-75 off Florida’s West coast.
List Price: $800,000
Click here to view more
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2.48 Acres Zoned CG
12280 SW Country Rd 769 Arcadia, FL 34269
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| | | Prime 2.48-acre commercial property in Lake Suzy, FL, offering an exceptional investment opportunity with unmatched visibility and accessibility. Strategically located on Kings Hwy (Co Rd 769), less than two miles from Interstate 75 (Exit 170), this property sits in a rapidly expanding commercial corridor. With an average daily traffic count of 15,600 vehicles, and planned road expansion to four lanes, the site is positioned for significant growth and increased customer flow. Zoned Commercial General, with future land use designated for commercial development. The surrounding area is within minutes to major retailers such as Walmart and Publix, popular restaurants, and a planned residential neighborhood, ensuring a steady consumer base. Additionally, public water and sewer are available at the road. With Lake Suzy experiencing expansion, this is the perfect time to capitalize on the area’s growth. The combination of high traffic, strong market demand, and strategic location makes this a rare and valuable investment opportunity.
Total Acres: 2.48
List Price: $649,000
Click here for more info
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PRICE REDUCED!
Industrial/Housing Opportunity Awaits
5871 SE Hwy 31 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. **POSSIBLE SELLER FINANCING **
Total Acres: 17
List Price: $3,950,000
Click here for more info
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Development Opportunity on 73+ Acres and 34+ Buildings
6000 SE Hwy 31 Arcadia, FL 34266
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Exceptional development opportunity just 5 minutes South of Arcadia Florida. Featuring 34+ mixed-use buildings on 73+ acres with over a half mile of direct Hwy 31 frontage. Convenient access to Fort Myers, Interstate 75 and the Gulf Coast. Only 25 minutes to Babcock Ranch. This property’s designated Future Land Use is URBAN CENTER, allowing for multiple zoning designations including commercial, residential, and mixed-use expansion.
List Price: $4,500,000
Click here to learn more
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PENDING!
2.93 Acres CG Zoned w/ Buildings
5241 Hwy 17 Arcadia, FL 34266
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Well-positioned Commercial Property Desoto County Florida. This 2.93-acre Commercial General zoned property is located along Hwy 17 and consists of two buildings totaling approximately 7,034 square feet combined. This flexible offering provides strong visibility and is suitable for a range of commercial uses. Both buildings feature restrooms, new roofs installed in 2023, and are connected by sidewalks. The main building includes handicap-accessible ramps. Currently used for religious purposes, the property is well suited for conversion to retail, office, or educational use. Conveniently located just minutes from Arcadia and approximately 20 minutes to I-75 or Punta Gorda, with easy access to Hwy 31 and Kings Highway
List Price: $975,000
Click here to learn more
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As a fifth-generation Floridian from Arcadia, I possess extensive knowledge of Florida real estate and a deep passion for its history. At the age of sixteen, my first venture into owning an orange grove ignited my enthusiasm for the real estate industry. Since then, I've engaged in a successful career purchasing, managing, and selling diverse properties such as acreage, agricultural lands, residential homes, and commercial spaces.
Growing up in a family-owned business, Bethel Farms, I honed my marketing and sales skills by handling products for major retailers across the Southeastern and Midwestern United States. My father instilled core values in me—to work diligently, strive for continuous improvement, and seek innovative approaches in all endeavors.
Implementing these principles daily, coupled with my enjoyment of networking and my extensive experience in business, sales, and marketing, have been pivotal to my accomplishments as a REALTOR®
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