Cape Coral Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Incorporation

In the year 1970, the Beatles disbanded, the first Earth Day was celebrated, and the Apollo 13 spacecraft safely returned to Earth after oxygen tanks exploded. It was in that same year that Cape Coral officially became a city, incorporating on August 18, 1970.

Cape Coral occupies a large peninsula bordered by the majestic Caloosahatchee River on the east and Matlacha Pass on the west. Its geographical location affords a tropical lifestyle surrounded by abundant natural beauty, outdoor recreation and water sports. Strategically located two hours from Tampa and Miami, Cape Coral offers a diverse supply of housing choices, from luxurious estates to affordable rentals, with some of the most competitive property prices in the nation. The city features thousands of waterfront residential properties on more than 400 miles of canals and waterways, including many with direct saltwater access to the Gulf of Mexico.

The City of Cape Coral has come a long way from its beginnings. During its incorporation year, the population stood at approximately 11,500 people, there was one school, Cape Elementary, and the city was without a hospital. Today, Cape Coral has nearly 200,000 residents, encompasses 120 square miles, has 27 public and charter schools, and even one secondary education offering, Cape Coral Technical College. The city has Cape Coral Hospital, along with a VA healthcare facility, several urgent care facilities, and a rehab and healthcare center. Cape Coral continues to grow by the day and has been recognized several times in the top three, fastest-growing cities in the United States.

 In honor of the 50th Anniversary, a re-enactment of the signing of the incorporation papers has been planned to take place on Tuesday, August 18 at 10 a.m. at the old Cape Coral City Hall, now the location for the Public Works Department. While this special occasion is not open to the public due to health concerns, it will be recorded and viewable to the public. Details for this viewing will be made available soon.

Learn more about Cape Coral's history by visiting the Cape Coral Historical Museum or https://www.capecoralhistoricalmuseum.org/.