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Greetings!
Welcome to my October newsletter! This month, we’ll take a look at Totch Brown, a Chokoloskee native whose eventful life became part of Southwest Florida’s history. From making a living on the water to putting his stories on paper at Totch’s Place, he left us a memorable account of the Everglades he knew. We’ll also explore a little history of the Ten Thousand Islands and the people who called them home long before his time.
As always, thank you for following along and for your continued support.
Walt
| | Totch Brown: Big Stories from a Little Place | |
Southwest Florida has produced plenty of colorful characters, but Loren G. “Totch” Brown packed enough living into one lifetime to keep a historian busy. Born on Chokoloskee Island in 1920, his family’s roots in the southwest Everglades stretched back to the 1880s. He grew up among the mangroves and waterways of the Ten Thousand Islands, where fishing and hunting helped put food on the table. By 13, he had purchased his first motorboat. Most teenagers want the keys to the car. Totch had other transportation plans.
Over the years, Totch worked as a commercial fisherman, stone crabber, alligator hunter, and guide. His story also included poaching and marijuana smuggling, giving his eventual autobiography considerably more plot twists than the average retirement memoir. Published in 1993, Totch: A Life in the Everglades recorded his firsthand accounts of poverty, survival, and a changing Southwest Florida. According to his publisher, he had never read a book before writing his own. Apparently, he preferred gathering the material firsthand!
His adventures extended well beyond the mangroves. During World War II, Totch earned a Bronze Star at the Battle of the Bulge. He was also a singer and songwriter who appeared in the film Wind Across the Everglades, singing alongside Burl Ives. Fisherman, soldier, songwriter, author: his résumé was getting crowded. Those experiences added to the stories he would eventually preserve about his life and the place he called home.
Then there was Totch’s Place, his writing camp in the Chokoloskee area, where that eventful life found a quieter setting. Photographer Clyde Butcher photographed the camp after Totch’s death in 1996, preserving it in an image titled Totch’s Place. The connection feels fitting: Totch captured the Everglades in words, while Butcher captured it through his lens. Together, the memoir and photograph offer a glimpse of the Florida Totch knew, where a small camp could hold some very big stories, and the mosquitoes required no invitation.
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"All Aboard” for the Historical Railroad Tour!
October
10th& 24th
Step back in time and discover the fascinating history of the Seaboard Railway (Charlotte Harbor & Northern Railway Route) — once stretching from Arcadia through El Jobean to the iconic Boca Grande Lighthouse
More Info:
All Aboard
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With its maze of mangrove islands, oyster bars, and winding waterways, the Ten Thousand Islands certainly looks like a place where someone might lose count! But beneath that beautiful scenery lies a remarkable history.Indigenous communities built elaborate shell mounds and raised platforms here roughly 1,000 to 1,500 years ago, creating places to build their homes. These carefully constructed “shell works” rank among the largest and most complex in the world.
Centuries later, settlers established homesteads on some of those former village sites, and Chokoloskee became a local trading center.
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154 + Acres
SE C& H Dr. Arcadia, FL 34266
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Spanning more than 154 acres in DeSoto County, this expansive tract offers exceptional opportunity for farming, ranching, or a variety of agricultural ventures. Positioned just south of Arcadia off Hog Bay Extension, the property provides substantial acreage with the flexibility to support a wide range of agricultural uses and includes two permitted wells, one 12-inch well and one 5-inch well. Convenient access to Highway 31 connects the property to Arcadia, Fort Myers, and surrounding Southwest Florida markets, making this a compelling opportunity for those seeking large acreage with valuable agricultural infrastructure in a well-positioned farming corridor.
List Price: $2,464,000
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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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
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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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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 learn 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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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: $4,500,000
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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