Charlotte County is named for Charlotte Harbor, a large estuary, and which was named for the English Queen Charlotte Sophia.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Sarasota County and DeSoto County
E – Glades County
S – Lee County
W – Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota County
Created: April 23, 1921 
County Seat:
Punta Gorda 1921 – present
County Justice Center – Punta Gorda
Location: 350 East Marion Avenue / Wood Street
Built: 1997 – 1999
Style: Modern
Architect: Fawley-Byrant Architects
Contractor: Metric, Dooey & Mack
Description: The building faces south and is a five story red colored brick, concrete and glass structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Punta Gorda to the northeast of the courthouse. The building has a high square brick tower in the center with white colored trim at the top. An arcade runs along the first story of the northeast section with the main entrance at the east side below the high tower. The southeast section of the building is lower. The buildings have a projecting cornice along the flat roof line. The building houses the County Circuit Court of the 20th Judicial Circuit and County Court.
County Courthouse – Punta Gorda
Location: 227 Taylor Street / West Olympic Avenue
Built: 1927 – 1928
Style: Classical Revival
Architect: Leitner and Henson of St. Petersburg
Contractor: Paul H Smith of Haines City
Description: The building faces southwest and is a two story buff colored brick and cvoncrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Punta Gorda. The southwest front has a large portico supported by six large columns rising to a header with balcony above. Additions were made in 1960 and 1980.
See: The 20th Judicial Circuit includes Collier County, Glades County, Hendry County and Lee County.
See: The county is located in the Second Judicial District of the Court of Appeal – Second Judicial District located in Lakeland and Tampa.
History: The county was created in 1921 and Punta Gorda was selected as the county seat. The county used rented office premises. The first and present courthouse was constructed in 1927 to 1928 at a cost of $200,000.The County Administration Building in Port Charlotte was constructed in 1987 to 1989. The County Justice Center was constructed in 1998 to 1999.
County Administration Building – Port Charlotte
Location: 18500 Murd0ck Circle / Tamiami Trail
Built: 1988 – 1989
Style: Modern
Architect: Architectural Resources Corporation
Contractor: Peter Brown / Taylor Construction
Description: The building faces west and is a four story buff colored brick, glass and concrete structure. The building is located on spacious landscaped grounds in the center of Port Charlotte. The west front forms a “V” with glass paneled walls. The recessed central entrance is located at the junction of the north and south wings with large white colored cement columns on the front plaza. A wide white colored band runs along the flat roof line. The building houses the Circuit Court of the 20th Judicial Circuit and County Court.
County Justice Center – Punta Gorda
County Courthouse – Punta Gorda
County Administration Building – Port Charlotte
Photos taken 2009 and 2015