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 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.     

   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 Del Prado Blvd.

   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 second largest land mass in the state of Florida.  The 1990 U.S. Census reported Cape Coral’s population as 74,991 and later this year, Cape Coral exceeded the 100,000 mark, while remaining approximately 35% developed.