This geocache is part of a series featuring the historic sites in Charlotte County.
This park is named after the historic Allapatchee Lodge, which was located off of Burnt Store Road and west of Acline Road in Punta Gorda. The lodge was built in the 1920s by Louis Calder, a wealthy businessman with a 66 year career in the paper industry. Mr. Calder became successful by being the first to recognize fast growing southern pine as an untapped, renewable resource for the production of paper, reducing the industry’s dependence on Canadian timber. Calder and other wealthy investors purchased 550 acres on Alligator Creek. The investors made use of Calder's rustic creekside retreat, which boasted 36 luxurious bedrooms and a 125-seat dining room.
“Allapatchee” was thought to be the Seminole name for Alligator Creek. However, it was found that the French term “a la pȇche” means “going fishing” and may have been the source of the name of the lodge.
The property fell into disuse over the decades following the great depression and finally sold in 1971 to make way for a local housing development. The lodge was demolished soon after.