This undated photo shows the Kiwanis baseball team; members are unidentified. A note on Side 2 states: "Kiwanis Ball Team. Played the Orioles -- lost badly."

This undated clipping from an unidentified newspaper tells the story of a disastrous attempt to lure a major leage baseball team to Punta Gorda in 1926. To finance the construction of a multiple-use ballpark and all its amenities, a group of civic leaders formed a company and incorporated as the Charlotte County Fair Association. Officers and largest stockholders were John Pelzel, W.H. Johnson, Ernest Pearce, Mose Darst, W.S. Whitfield, Frank Smoak and Chester Blount. Jack Dunn was then manager, president and majority stockholder of the Baltimore Orioles, and the officers of the Fair Association negotiated with Dunn to bring the Orioles to Punta Gorda for spring training. The ballpark was constructed at the crossing of Carmelita and Florida Streets. The Orioles arrived and were housed at the then-new Charlotte Bay Hotel (later known as the Princess Hotel). The baseball team played 14 games during their seven weeks in Punta Gorda, winning only five games. Gate receipts failed to cover expenses (which had been over $50,000) and the stockholders lost their investments. The Florida land boom of the 1920s collapsed, and the "Great Depression" was starting. The men who pledged a note at the bank to cover expenses of building the ballpark defaulted on the payments. Chester Blount lost his home. Frank Smoak kept his by making partial payments. The bank eventually forgave the balance, settling for 20 cents on the dollar, but the city was left with only an empty ballpark. The site now holds the Charlotte County little league fields, a BMX bicycle track and a horse show ring.

This photo is a copy of an original showing a baseball game underway on a field located at Gill Street and Virginia Avenue in Punta Gorda. The outfield also served as the football field for Charlotte High School players from 1931 through 1936. The house seen beyond the fence in the background at left is Cleve Henry Cleveland's home; the building beyond the fence at right is U.S. Whiteaker's former cigar factory. The ball players are unidentified.

This photo shows members of Punta Gorda's "semi-pro" baseball team. Left to right, back row: George Goff, Robert Goff, Bill Stevens, Homer Addison. Center, in white shirt: Charles S. Steele. Front row: (?) Roberts, Paul Rasch, John T. Rose, Jr., Elmer Barnhill, (?) Roberts. The young men sitting at each end of the front row are sons of Dr. W. A. Roberts. Dr. Roberts had four sons; these two are unidentified by first name.

This photo shows Chris Cleveland striking a pose with a baseball bat.

This photo shows Sean Cleveland, right arm in cast, striking a pose with a baseball bat.

This color photo shows an aerial view of the Charlotte County Sports Park (formerly Ranger Stadium) near El Jobean. Originally built as a spring training facility for the Texas Rangers, the stadium is now used by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

This photo of Harrell cousin, Bruce Hollensbe, awaiting a pitch was taken at Peace River Lodge in Cleveland. The boat dock of the old fishing lodge can be seen in the background.