About the mural from the Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society webpage:
George Brown (1868-1951), an African-American entrepreneur, was a master carpenter and cabinet maker. With this skill and mentoring from his friend Capt. Dewey owner of the Charlotte Harbor Lighterage Co. Brown saw the opportunity to start his own business building & maintaining barges for phosphate transport on the Peace River. He and his partner Peter Miller began the Brown & Miller Shipyard in 1897. Brown hired his workers based on ability without regard to race. He paid good and equal wages to all in return for their hard work. He is said to be Florida’s first equal opportunity employer.
In 1915, Miller sold his half of the business to Brown. Brown expanded the shipyard, launching the Cleveland Marine Steam Ways in 1916. This expanded shipyard was capable of handling large vessels for Capt. Dewey as well as prominent yachtsmen who wintered in Charlotte Harbor.
A strong family man, George was devoted to his daughter Ruth who died at a young age and to young Charley Johnson who he and his second wife Tommie adopted. George and Tommie welcomed children, both black and white, into their home. As a man of considerable means, he owned one of the first automobiles, player pianos and radios in the area and kids would flock to his home to share in these marvels.
Over the years as his business grew, he bought many investment properties in Punta Gorda. He was reported to at one time own half of the land of Punta Gorda. In 1921, he donated land for the all-black Masonic Tuscan Lodge 92. He also served on a number church boards. In 1924, he sold a parcel of land to the newly formed Charlotte County for the location of the first Charlotte County courthouse. This is the site where this mural is located.
The mural was dedicated on February 20, 2014.
In 2016, the Society noticed the mural was separating from the wall due to water intrusion. The solution was to install aluminum panels over the walls and the mural was printed on vinyl and applied to the panels, thus saving the mural.
LOCATION
Old Charlotte County Courthouse
277 Taylor Street
(Olympia Avenue privacy wall)
SIZE
Two panels, 7' h x 10.75' w each
MURAL CREATION SPONSORS
Sushila Cherian in memory of Dr. JV Cherian
Lydia Gattanell & Family in memory of Dr. Perry Gattanell
Dr. Ricardo Gauthier, Harbor Audiology
Rotary Club of Punta Gorda
Temple Beth-El of Punta Gorda
Trabue Woods Community
Bethel A.M.E. Church
St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church
St. Mary Primitive Baptist Church
Charlotte County NAACP, Branch #5093
Blanchard House Museum of African American History and Culture of Charlotte County
Trabue-Woods Economic Development, LLC
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Charlotte County
The Community
The Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society lists over 30 murals. (
visit link)
Its mission is: “ Preserve the rich history of Punta Gorda area through the beauty of mural art.” Their vision is: “Position Punta Gorda as a major Mural City and destination location for visitors, tourists, etc. while educating the Community about our history.” The society offers Mural Classes and Walking Tours. Learn more about their Mural Program and the rich local history of the area by taking a tour or attending a class. They teach the class throughout the year and offer Walking Tours during the cooler months of January – March. The society is proud to be part of the Florida Mural Trail and invites you to visit the other Mural cities in Florida. (
visit link)