Cape Coral History

The city of Cape Coral is located in Lee County, Florida on the Caloosahatchee River close to where it flows into the Gulf of Mexico. In 1957 brothers Jack and Leonard Rosen started developing Cape Coral as a large subdivision of single-family homes through Gulf American Land Corporation. Considering Cape Coral was constructed with over 400 miles of navigable waterways, more than any other city in the world, it was promoted as a “Waterfront Wonderland.” Cape Coral is the second largest city in Florida and the largest city between Tampa and Miami. Cape Coral was incorporated in 1970 and has transformed over the years into a thriving city with a current estimated population of over 200,000.

Cape Coral Neighborhoods

Cape Coral has four different areas or quadrants- Northwest (NW), Northeast (NE), Southwest (SW), Southeast (SE). The NW and NE and SW and SE are divided by Santa Barbara Blvd going east and west. The NE and SE are divided by Hancock Bridge Pkwy going north and south. The NW and SW are divided by Embers Pkwy going north and south.

The Southeast was the first area to be developed and is where you’ll find Downtown Cape Coral and The Yacht Club. The Southwest is known to be one of the most desirable areas in the Cape due to newer homes, shopping centers, gated communities, Cape Harbour and Marina Village. The Northwest is an emerging area and is becoming more populated. The Northeast is not as populated or built up as the rest of the Cape.

The road system in the Cape is based on a grid which makes the city fairly easy to navigate. Roads that are named Ave., Blvd., Ct. and Pl. run north and south. Roads that are named St., Ln., Ter. and Pkwy. run east and west.