Jack's Doggs Hot Dog Cart in Port Charlotte, Florida

Florida was admitted as the 17th state of the U.S. on March 3rd, 1845

Florida Scrub Jay - An endangered species

The name Punta Gorda, translates from Spanish, which means, "fat point". The moniker was given to the city because a broad part of the land in Punta Gorda juts into Charlotte Harbor. The harbor itself is somewhat unique, as it is the point where the Peace River meets the ocean.

May 20, 1970 Florida lawmakers passed and sent to the Governor a bill adopting the moonstone as the official state gem. Ironically, the moonstone is not found naturally in Florida...nor was it found on the moon.

In 1987 the Florida legislature designated the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) the official state reptile. Long an unofficial symbol of the state, the alligator originally symbolized Florida's extensive untamed wilderness and swamps.

Venice is known as the Shark Tooth Capital of the World. Collecting prehistoric shark's teeth has been a favorite pastime of visitors and residents of the Venice area for years.

Many Flags have flown over Florida since European explorers first landed herein the early sixteenth century. Among them have been the flags of five nations: France, Spain, Great Britain, The United States andthe Confederate States of America.

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