The Captain Hendry House
Preserving Our Past. Creating a Place for Our Future.
For more than a century, the Captain Hendry House has been part of LaBelle's story. Today, we're working to preserve this historic landmark while exploring opportunities for it to become a vibrant destination for history, education, culture, and community.
A Landmark of LaBelle's Founding Story
The home was constructed in 1914 for Captain Francis Asbury Hendry, an important figure in LaBelle's early development and the namesake of Hendry County. His story is woven into the founding and growth of this community.
The Captain Hendry House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998, recognizing its architectural and historical significance.
Preserving this property means protecting not only its historic architecture, but the stories and memories associated with it, so future generations can connect with LaBelle's past.
Milestones in the Project
Construction of the Captain Hendry House
The home was constructed in 1914 for Captain Francis Asbury Hendry, an important figure in LaBelle's early development and the namesake of Hendry County.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
The Captain Hendry House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998, recognizing its significance to LaBelle's history.
City of LaBelle Resolution
The City of LaBelle passed a resolution supporting preliminary planning, partnerships, and the pursuit of grant funding for the property.
Florida's 11 to Save
The Captain Hendry House was selected for the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation's 2026 Florida's 11 to Save list, bringing statewide awareness to the property.
CPAT Support Awarded
LDRC was awarded Community Planning Assistance Team (CPAT) support through APA Florida to help develop a long-term vision for the property.
Community Planning Workshops
A stakeholder workshop on November 20 is followed by a public meeting at Barron Library on November 21, gathering community input for the master plan.
Statewide Support for the Project
Florida's 11 to Save
The Captain Hendry House was selected for the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation's 2026 Florida's 11 to Save list, bringing statewide awareness to the property's preservation needs and opportunities. This designation highlights the significance of the home and the importance of planning for its future.
APA Florida Community Planning Assistance Team
LDRC received CPAT assistance from the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association to help develop a long-term vision for the property through professional planning expertise and community engagement.
A stakeholder workshop is scheduled for November 20, 2026, followed by a public meeting at Barron Library on November 21, 2026.
The CPAT team will share early ideas from their visit and hear from you. Come with questions, memories, and ideas.
A Living Part of LaBelle's Story
Preserving a historic home is about more than maintaining a building. It is about creating opportunities for people to experience and connect with local history. These are potential opportunities being explored, not approved plans.
Living History & Education
Historic exhibits, guided tours, educational programming, school field trips, and demonstrations of traditional Florida life.
Community & Culture
Workshops, cultural events, community gatherings, and opportunities to celebrate LaBelle's unique identity.
Heritage Tourism
A destination that encourages visitors to explore LaBelle's history while discovering downtown businesses, restaurants, and attractions.
Preserving the Property
Responsible stewardship of the historic home, grounds, and architectural features while considering accessibility and long-term sustainability.
Preservation and Revitalization, Together
Historic preservation can support economic development, heritage tourism, education, community identity, and downtown vitality. The Captain Hendry House has the potential to become part of a larger network of cultural and historical destinations that encourage visitors to spend more time exploring LaBelle.
When we invest in the places that tell our story, we strengthen the heart of our community and create new reasons for people to visit, gather, and connect downtown.
"Honoring our history and investing in our future are not competing priorities. They are part of the same story."
The Latest on the Project
Project updates will be posted here as the project progresses, including planning milestones, community meeting summaries, grant announcements, and preservation assessments.