Boca Grande Cape Coral Englewood Fort Myers Manasota Key North Port Osprey Pine Island Port Charlotte Punta Gorda Rotonda Sanibel/Captiva Venice Warm Mineral Springs
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Cape Coral is a vibrant and friendly community with all the beauty
that you expect from Southwest Florida. With over 400 miles of canals - boating, fishing and water
sports are a significant enhancement to our quality of life. Cape Coral is made up of 114 square miles of land and is the largest city in Southwest Florida and the largest between Tampa and Miami. With golf courses, tennis courts, boat ramps, athletic parks, natural preserves and more. The city has one of the best recreation departments in the state, providing all kinds of services for young and old. Cape Coral consistently ranks at the top for public safety in both Florida and the United States. The city council shows a continued commitment to maintaining this excellent public safety record. The economic growth and educational system, combined with the top public safety standing, make Cape Coral a desirable location.
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Until the birth of Cape Coral, the area was simply known as “the other side of the river” by
homesteaders, loggers, cattlemen, professional fishermen, and sportsmen. However, in 1957 Leonard and
Jack Rosen changed that by purchasing a 103 square mile tract, known as Redfish Point, for $678,000.
The Gulf American Corporation (GAC) was formed to develop this “Waterfront Wonderland” and on November
4th of that year, ground was officially broken as Cape Coral. Early in 1958, a stretch of “Miracle Mile”, later named Cape Coral Parkway, extended east from Coronado for one mile, and a main intersection was soon formed where it met Harney Point Road, now Del Prado Blvd. There was only one building located in Cape Coral, which was a fourplex at the corner of Cape Coral Parkway and Coronado Parkway, housing land sales offices. |
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Through GAC, the development grew at a remarkable pace, and on June 10, 1958, the first residents
moved in. These pioneers had to drive forever to get anywhere – 20 miles for a loaf of bread! Cape
Coral was promoted like no other Florida development, through a mail order program with ads on
radio, television and print media. In 1959, water view homesites were sold for $990, waterfront was
sold for $1,900, and riverfront cost $3,390. Property sales reached over $9 million after the first
year and planeloads of curious northerners were soon flown down for a quick look and a heavy sales
pitch, landing an out-of-the-way strip, now called 47th Terrace. On March 14, 1964, the two-lane Cape Coral Bridge was opened to traffic, making the area even more accessible to potential buyers. Interestingly, as far back as 1959 when the best location for a bridge was being considered, engineers picked a location connecting Everest Parkway with Colonial Blvd., now the location of the Midpoint Memorial Bridge. However, due to construction costs and proximity to the area of initial development, the Cape Coral Parkway to Braden-Sutphin Rd. (now College Parkway) route was chosen. The city was incorporated in 1970 with a population of 11,470, making it the 3rd largest city in a land mass in Florida. The 2000 U.S. Census reported Cape Coral’s population as 109,635. |
Lee County Information
Lee County Public Schools Administration (239) 334-1102
Lee County Parks and Recreation (239) 533-7275
Health Care
Cape Coral Hospital (239) 424-2000
Health Park Medical Center (239) 343-5000
Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida (239) 343-5000
Lee Memorial Hospital (239) 343-2000
Gulf Coast Medical Center (239) 343-1000
HealthParkCare & Rehabilitation Center (239) 433-4647
Lee County Health Department (239) 332-9501
Licenses
Lee County Tax Collector (239) 533-6000
Office Locations
Bonita Springs 25300 Bernwood Dr Bonita Springs, Fl 34135
Cape Coral1039 SE 9th Avenue Cape Coral, Fl 33990
Downtown Ft Myers 2840 Thompson St Fort Myers, Fl 33901
South Ft Myers 15680 Pine Ridge Rd Fort Myers, Fl 33908
Lehigh Acres DelLaCruz Professional Centre 3114 Lee Blvd Bldg-B Unit 6 Lehigh Acres, Fl 33971
North Fort Myers 15201 N. Cleveland Ave Units# 601-605 North Fort Myers, Fl 33903