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This sign welcomed residents and prospective buyers to the fledgling Cape Coral community.
First residents Kenny Swartz and his family, the first official residents of Cape Coral, relax in front of their house on Riverside Drive in 1958. Schwartz, who would become a Gulf American vice president, came to Cape Coral from Baltimore as one of the corporation’s first employees.
This sign welcomed residents and prospective buyers to the fledgling Cape Coral community.
First residents Kenny Swartz and his family, the first official residents of Cape Coral, relax in front of their house on Riverside Drive in 1958. Schwartz, who would become a Gulf American vice president, came to Cape Coral from Baltimore as one of the corporation’s first employees.
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From the early years of Cape Coral most from the headlines of the Cape Coral Breeze.
- Advertisements for available land for sale in Cape Coral were published across the U.S. starting in January 1958.
- In April 1958, the Kenny Swartz family became the first “official” residents of Cape Coral.
- In 1959, the Duffalas family was the first to illuminate Christmas lights in the Cape.
- The first library opened in the Cape Coral Shopping Plaza in November 1962.
- On Nov. 28, 1963, a memorial service was held for President John F. Kennedy.
- The Cape Coral Bridge opened in March 1964
- In March 1964, members of the Pittsburgh Pirates resided in Cape Coral during Spring Training, held at Terry Park in Fort Myers.
- 212 students attended the first day of school at Cape Elementary on Aug. 31, 1964.
- In May 1965, Publix opened on Cape Coral Parkway.
- In June 1965, the Iwo jima statue was dedicated at the Rose Gardens
- The first mass was held at the Catholic Church in August 1965.
- Celebrities Bob Hope and reigning Miss USA-World Dianna Lynn Batts made an appearance at the Rose Gardens in February 1966.
- Ground was broken for the Sunset Towers in April 1966.
- The Southland Corporation opened a 7-Eleven store on Coronado Parkway at Miramar Court in June 1966.
- In August 1966, the Miss Florida World pageant was held at the Cape Coral Yacht Club.
- The community’s first traffic light was erected in September 1966 at the corner of Cape Coral Parkway and Coronado Parkway.
- Street lights first appeared in Cape Coral in November 1966 on Cape Coral Parkway and Del Prado Boulevard.
- In August 1967, the 4 millionth vehicle crossed the Cape Coral Bridge.
- A resident landed a 14-foot, 650-pound sawfish in the Caloosahatchee in May 1968.
- In December 1968, actress Kim Novak visited her parents in Cape Coral.
- In February 1969, a “Sun Country” TV special starring Hank Wiliams Jr. was filmed in Cape Coral.
- Big John came to town in July 1969.
- “Fantasia” was the featured film in May 1971 at Cape Coral Cinema.
- Barbara Mandrell and Johnny Paycheck perform at the Yacht Club in July 1971.
- Pat Dobson, son of Cape residents Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Dobson, earns his 20th win with the Baltimore Orioles in September 1971.
- In February 1972, a court upholds the city’s truck parking ordinance.
- Tom Kite and Ben Crenshaw lead Texas to the 1972 NCAA Golf Championship at the Cape Coral Country Club in June.