Good Day to all! Did you know Nathaniel H. Decoster was an early settler in the Charlotte Harbor area? Born during the late 1830’s in Hartford, Maine and a schoolteacher by trade, he enlisted in the Union Army soon after the Civil War’s start, eventually serving as a second lieutenant with the 2nd United States Colored Infantry at Key West and Fort Myers, after being wounded in the shoulder during the Battle of Fredericksburg.
DeCoster first came to the Charlotte Harbor area after the war to administer oaths of allegiance to ex-confederates, returning with his wife Emily after their marriage in October 1866. She was from Buffalo, New York and they had met in Key West after she joined her parents there. Her father, George, had come to Florida for his health.
The DeCosters first resided at Fort Winder, across the river from Fort Ogden, where Nathan operated a store, but they soon moved down river settling on its north shore at Hickory Bluff around 1870. By 1880, they had five children. A few years later, he purchased 80 acres up the river, just north of Hickory Bluff. He’s said to have stated, “I have never seen a lovelier sheet of water than the bay of Charlotte Harbor.” Methinks the man was on to something!
In addition to farming, Nathan claimed to have harvested over 2,000 bushels of sweet potatoes his first year, he also platted a portion of his 80 acres into home sites as the community of Harbor View, thus Harborview Road. He advertised the community by sending letters to Florida newspapers extolling the area’s healthful climate.
DeCoster’s subdivision can still be found today, tucked between Harborview Road and the river, just before reaching Interstate 75. It is easily identified by streets named for the many tropical trees he planted, such as Guava, Banana, Sapodilla, and Mangoe, which by today’s standards is misspelled on the plat.
He also owned a sawmill near his home at Hickory Bluff and was awarded the contract to provide lumber for a new courthouse at Pine Level where he continued his judicial duties as Manatee County Judge, having been appointed in August 1871. It may seem surprising that he was appointed to such an important position so soon after arriving, but it was during reconstruction and he was a staunch Republican.
In March 1872, DeCoster was named post master of the new Charlotte Harbor office at Hickory Bluff and in February 1879 he became the community’s customs inspector. In August 1887, he joined the Desoto County Board of Health after that county’s creation from a portion of Manatee County in May of that year.
DeCoster’s reason for remaining in southwest Florida after the war is still common today. He lived in Maine until enlisting and after leaving New York for Florida in January 1863, remarked that having left bitter cold, in less than five days he found himself in Key West among birds and flowers. He vowed to never spend another winter in the regions of ice and snow.
Nathan died at the Harbor View home of his son George in October 1912 and is interred in the historic Charlotte Harbor Cemetery with his wife Emily. Visit Charlotte County History Collections “on-line” to see photographs of Nathaniel DeCoster and his grandchildren.
“Did You Know” appears, typically, every other Wednesday, courtesy of this newspaper and the Charlotte County Historical Society. The Society’s mission is to help promote and preserve Charlotte County’s rich history. We are also always looking for volunteers and interested individuals to serve as board members. If you believe our area’s history is as important as we do, please visit Charlotte County Historical Society on-line at https://cchistoricalsociety.com/, or call 941- 769-1270 for more information
Check out History Services’ yearlong project, “Telling Your Stories: History in the Parks”. It began in January 2021 with placement of the first interpretive sign “Charlotte Harbor Spa” at South County Regional Park. The last was dedicated December 15, 2021 at Centennial Park featuring Florida postcards. All dedicated signs can be viewed at online library resources. Select “Programs and Services”, then “History Services” and “Virtual Programs”.
Visit the same site to access recently released oral histories featuring 40 local folks. Select “History Services” and scroll down, or phone 941-629-7278, to find out what history related programs and videos are available.
August 6 column
