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About Walt Bethel:

Walt Bethel is a fourth generation Floridian, born and raised in Arcadia, with a vast knowledge of all areas of Florida Real Estate and an ardent appreciation for Florida history.

  

The purchase and development of his first orange grove when he was just sixteen years old fueled Walt's passion for real estate.

  

Since then, he has bought, owned, and sold a wide variety of properties throughout a successful business career. 

 

His investments have included acreage, agricultural properties, residential homes, condos, and commercial properties.

 

Walt's marketing and sales experience was cultivated over time at his family's business, Bethel Farms, where he marketed, managed, and sold products to "Big Box" retailers across the Southeastern and Midwestern United States.

 

From an early age, Walt's dad instilled in him the values to work hard and always have a goal, to look for a better way of doing things, and to constantly improve on them.

  

The daily implementation of these principles, coupled with his enjoyment of networking with new people and his experience in business, sales, and marketing, have contributed to Walt's success as a Realtor.

 

Walt has served on various boards and committees throughout the years. He has coached and actively supports local youth athletic programs and leagues. 

He and his wife Jill, also a fourth generation Floridian, reside in Punta Gorda. They have two teenage children, a daughter Peyton and a son Truman.
Note From
Our Neighbors

"The Granddaddy of Em' All "

87th Annual Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo

 

March 13-15, 2015

 

     The Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo 

is a non-profit organization that was established in 1952 by the Arcadia Rodeo Association, which evolved from a group of American Legion Members who held the first rodeo in 1929.

 

It is the oldest rodeo organization in the state of Florida, and benefits all of Arcadia and DeSoto County.  

 

 Rodeo Events

Bull Riding

Bareback Riding

Barrel Racing

Saddle Bronc

Steer Wrestling

Tie Down Roping

 

For directions, ticket sales, or more information visit:

www.arcadiarodeo.com

 

Did you 
know
?

Liverpool
Ghost Town Founded by John Cross

 

Liverpool was the southern point along the Peace River Phosphate Mining Company Railroad, a line that ran from Arcadia to docks along the Peace River. Phosphate trains would reach Liverpool, which had a drying plant and barge loading facilities to ship the cargo off down river. The town was settled and platted in 1880, shortly after the discovery of phosphate in the area. The founder, John Cross of Liverpool England, envisioned it to be a large center of business and commerce. John Cross' ambition may have been to capitalize on the rapid expansion of citrus farming occurring in Florida in the 1880s. He selected property at the tide-limit of the Peace River for a new town. He named it Liverpool, after that port in England, and opened a real estate office. The town was located three miles south of Fort Ogden, then a bustling center for citrus groves. Cross built a warehouse and dock and started a drayage line. He hauled freight from ships at his Liverpool dock to Fort Ogden, bringing back crates of oranges.  He operated the town general store, and J.E. Riley, who oversaw the mining operations, acted as mayor and local sheriff.  With the phosphate industry fueling the economy, the town grew to include it's own post office, hotel, newspaper, and stage stop. John Cross used his success and wealth from Liverpool to buy land and build in several areas of neighboring Charlotte county. By 1905 the Peace River pebble phosphate supply was tailing off, and the rail line was extended to the deeper waters of Punta Gorda and Boca Grande. The Liverpool terminus became a spur off the main route, operating for another few years until the local supply died out. And as the phosphate disappeared, so did the town. By the 1920's it was just another old mining town that faded away.

 


 

SPRING 2015
NEWSLETTER 



Welcome to the Spring Edition of my "Real Estate Resource" Newsletter
                                                    
Please check out my website waltbethel.com to view my listings, search for property, or to enjoy one of my archived newsletters.

 

As always, I welcome your feedback and suggestions. 
  
Walt

Lost Towns of Charlotte County

    Compiled by LindseyWilliams.org 


     
Ghost towns of the old West still stand on the arid plains as a reminder of prosperity that briefly flourished. The same type of ephemeral villages of old Florida disappeared rapidly under the onslaught of semi-tropical climate and foliage.

      However, traces of Charlotte County's "lost towns" persist in the memories of old timers, musty newspaper clippings and faded maps. Such places once were important because of some special feature noteworthy to folks at that time.

What became Charlotte County in 1921 originally was part of Manatee County, then DeSoto County in 1887. Most lost towns here sprang up and disappeared in the few years following arrival of the railroad in 1886 until a network of automobile roads were laid down during the Great Florida Land Boom of the 1920s.

     Herewith a compendium of such localities discovered during the preparation of these histories.

Towns in Charlotte County
ACLINEPronounced ak- line, a contraction for Atlantic Coast Line rail road. Had turpentine still, sawmill and citrus groves. Home of the Bloody Bucket speakeasy.
ALBIONExact location unknown. Reference says, "Near Bermont," east of Punta Gorda. Probably a sawmill.
BAIRDVILLEDairy and truck farms. School.
BERMONTA general store post office and school.
BOCA GRANDE DOCKLoading facility built 1860 by McKay and Summerlin for cattle.
BOCA GRANDE TOWNOn Gasparilla Island. Platted 1887 by Albert Gilchrist.
BOGGESSA Peace River cattle fort marked off by Francis Boggess about 1860.
BUCKINGHAMSite unknown Reference says, "Ten miles out of town" (Punta Gorda).
BURNT STORETrading post 1845, east shore of harbor. Burned by Seminoles.
CALVINALocation unknown. Reference says, "This county, Jacob Bond postmaster."
CAMP POINTExact site unknown. "Near Bermont."
CAMP WHIPPLETemporary fortification to watch Indians during Third Seminole War.
CAYO PELAU"Spanish" fishing village on that island.
CHADWICK BEACHHomes, dance pavilion and store. Named Punta Gorda Beach late 1920s. Now Englewood Beach.
CHARLOTTEA station on the CH&N railroad. Now Murdock.
CHARLOTTE HARBOROldest town settled 1862 near cattle dock and store. Church, and school 1873. Post office 1877.
CLEVELANDPlatted 1885 for a resort hotel and village.
DEL VERDEA development and inn during the land boom.
EL JOBE-ANNow El Jobean, post office and store. First platted as Southland.
ENGLEWOODResort hotel and town platted 1893.
ENGLEWOOD BEACHSee Chadwick Beach.
EUCRE PENAn overnight holding pen for cattle. Name corrupted to Yucca Pen for nearby creek.
EVALANDA turpentine still and CH&N flag stop.
FORT OGDENEstablished 1850 to build canoes with which to pursue Seminoles, later a large town in DeSoto County.
FORT WINDERA refuge for settlers during Second Seminole War.
GASPARILLAFishing village and general store.
GILCHRISTHomes of section hands for ACL railroad.
GILCHRIST STATIONThe junction ACL and Seaboard RR.
GLENHolmes turpentine still, post office.
GROVE CITYResort hotel and lemon grove development.
HARBOR VIEWSawmill and development of "orange clubs.
HERMANFarm village.
HENDRICKSFarm village.
HICKMANExact location unknown. Reference says, "Post office of this county has been discontinued."
HICKORY BLUFFOriginal name of Charlotte Harbor Town.
HULLPhosphate mining town 1890. Burned in 1902.
LA COSTAEarly fishing town. Quarantine station 1890.
LA VILLASubdivision near Solona during land boom.
LEE BRANCHAtlantic Coast Line flag stop.
LIVERPOOLA bustling town platted 1880 at tide limit of Peace River. Had post office hotel, newspaper, stage stop.
LOCK JOINTFishing camp
MARSCH&N loading dock at Frizzell's turpentine still.
MC CALLCH&N station, post office, school, homes.
MC WILLIAMS SPURSea-board Air Line railroad dock for Samville sawmill.
MORGANTOWNFarm village
MURDOCKA development of 10-acre farms, post office, school 1911 at CH&N Charlotte station. Later, headquarters for Frizzell ranch, turpentine still, store and sawmill.
NEW POINT COMFORTA winter colony platted 1918.
NOCATEEFla. Southern Railway station. Citrus farms.
PEACON COVEFishing camp named for proprietor.
PINEAPPLE CENTERPacking house, ACL flag stop.
PINELANDEarly settle-ment, site of Bert Heacock turpentine still and sawmill.
PINE LEVELSeat of Manatee County 1868-87.
PLACIDAA CH&N bunk house, then the relocated Gasparilla fishing village.
PLATTHomes of phosphate workers.
ROGERSOriginally a sawmill named for proprietor. Later: Lester and Broadbent.
ROUXOriginally a large sawmill and crate operation. Now the Babcock Ranch.
SALINEHomes of workers for the Seaboard Air Line rail road. Acronym for the name.
SAMVILLELarge sawmill town. Renamed Woodrow, Slater.
SHARPIE TOWNA group of fishermen's homes on outskirts of Punta Gorda. Named for the type of sailing ships that tied up weekends, foot of Cooper St.
SHELL CREEKFarm homes.
SOLANAWinter homes and pineapple farms. Platted 1889.
SOUTH BOCA GRANDEPort for phosphate ships, CH&N terminal. Now in Boca Grande.
SOUTHLANDPlatted 1887. Still for Weeks & Gurganious turpentine camp. Replatted 1923 as El Jobe-an.
SPANISH TOWNExact site unknown. Perhaps a group of homes for Cuban cigar workers east side Punta Gorda.
SPARKMANA town of homesteaders settled in 1920s. Had post office, store, school and church. Named for senator.
TAMIAMA CITYTown on the Tamiami Trail in Lee Co.
TATER HILLSweet potato farm on which Arcadia platted when DeSoto County erected 1887
TRABUEOriginal name of Punta Gorda when platted 1885. Terminal of Florida Southern Railway 1886. Large resort hotel. Town incorporated 1887. Elected Charlotte Co. seat 1921
TUCKER'S CORNERIntersection Tucker's Grade and S.R. 31. Stage coach route to Fort Myers before bridges.
TUCKER'S WOODSFlag stop on Seaboard Air Line.
VINELANDHomestead of William Goff. School, post office and sawmill 1889.
WILLOW PENExact site unknown. A cattle holding pen and farms in "township south of Punta Gorda." Perhaps original name of Eucre Pen. See above.
WOODMEREA huge sawmill town now in Sarasota County.
 

 

 Featured Listing

Fully Equipped Machine Shop and Manufacturing Business

2692 Nat Ave.  Arcadia, FL 34266
2692 Nat Ave. Arcadia, Florida-Offered by Walt Bethel/Harbor Realty
CLICK PLAY TO TAKE DRONE TOUR

DESOTO COUNTY


 A fully equipped machine shop and manufacturing business for sale in Desoto County, Florida.


 This well- established business performs all types of machining work and capitalizes on many years of experience building and refurbishing high quality products. This sale also includes proprietary brands of mowers and fertilizer spreaders that are manufactured on site and marketed throughout the agricultural industry.

 The building encompasses over 39,000 total square feet and boasts up to 26' high ceilings. It is also ideal for manufacturing and assembly line operations or distribution. The current owner is ready to retire. 

 A strong reputation, customer lists, equipment, and full inventory complete the package. LAND AND BUILDING MAY BE PURCHASED WITHOUT THE BUSINESS. The adjacent 4.68 acres of commercial real estate may be purchased in addition. 

 CALL TODAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT!!

Read More

 

  
MLS# C7205536
Sale Price: $1,795,000
Acres: 8.51
See My Listings for more information.
 Featured Listing

Turn-Key Wholesale Plant Nursery

9100 McRoy Rd. Sebring, FL 33875

9100 McRoy Rd., Sebring Florida-Offered by Walt Bethel RE/MAX Harbor Realty
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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY


Location! This well-established Plant Nursery is located on 6.68 acres with over 300 ft of State Rd. 66 frontage.


 An ideal opportunity to own a wholesale plant operation which includes an abundance of growing houses, bedded grow areas, irrigation wells, office, garage/workshop, equipment and all current inventory . There is ample irrigation throughout the entire nursery. 


 This business has been in operation for many years with great customer rapport. Plants include large trees , small plants, liners and more. Seller is retiring. 


 This property includes two parcels 25-35-28-A00-0050-0000 and C-25-35-28-A00-0071-0000. Adjacent property with single-family home is also available for sale.


 Call for an appointment to see this turn-key opportunity today! 

  Read More

 

  
MLS# C7205143
Sale Price: $475,000
Acres: 6.68
See My Listings for more information.
Featured Listing

Light Industrial Building with Hwy 70 Frontage

5385 SE Hwy 70, Arcadia FL 34266 

5385 Hwy 70 SE Arcadia - Offered by Walt Bethel RE/MAX Harbor Realty
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DESOTO COUNTY


    

Industrial Light Building on 10.67 acres is ideal for your processing, manufacturing, or distribution business. This property is suitable for tractor or semi dealership. 


 

Less than 3 miles to Arcadia, with ~440ft of Hwy 70 frontage, this immaculately maintained property is on the road of potential. Fenced property with gated entrance offers a 9,000 sq ft shop with office and large mezzanine for storage. 


 

Fully functional 2,160 sq ft office space under air contains reception area, three offices, restrooms, and conference room. There is plenty of room for parking and equipment across the property. 

 

Two total parcels zoned Industrial Light, parcels 02-38-25-0000-0154-0000 and 02-38-25-0000-0153-0000. There is also an adjacent 20+ acres which may be available.  

CALL TODAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT!!

Read More...  

 

MLS #: C7202000

List Price: $650,000

Total Acres: 10.67

See My Listings for more information.

Previous Featured Listing

243+ Prime Agricultural Acres

CR 760 Arcadia, FL 34266