CORTEZ CULTURAL CENTER
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Reel in Some History
The Cortez Cultural Center showcases the history of the Village of Cortez, an active fishing community on the west coast of Florida south of Tampa Bay.
Cortez is one of the last remaining fishing villages on Florida’s Gulf Coast, according to the Cortez Village Historical Society. Its fishing history goes back to the Native Americans and Spanish who first lived and explored the area.
Originally called Hunter’s Point, Cortez was settled in the 1880s by families such as the Guthries, Taylors and Fulfords. Many of their descendants still live in the village. The organization has helped recognize Cortez as a historical landmark. Ninety-seven of its buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Cultural Center focuses on preserving “old Florida” history and stories of founding families in Cortez. Starting with the Guthrie and Fulford families in 1880, visitors can travel through war times with Cortez women, who went to work while their husbands were at war, and read about boats bringing visitors to the Albion Inn. The timeline stops at the 1980s, but eventually, the center will document the village’s history to present day.
Read more about the opening of the Cortez Cultural Center here:
Fishermen