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Fort Myers, Florida

Fort Myers (or Ft. Myers) is a city in and the county seat of Lee County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 86,395; it was estimated to have grown to 95,949 in 2022, making it the 25th-most populous city in Florida. Together with the larger and more residential city of Cape Coral, it anchors the Cape Coral–Fort Myers metropolitan statistical area which comprises Lee County and has a population of 834,573 as of 2023.

Fort Myers is a gateway to the Southwest Florida region and a major tourist destination within the state. The winter estates of Thomas Edison ("Seminole Lodge") and Henry Ford ("The Mangoes") are major attractions. The city takes its name from a local former fort that was built during the Seminole Wars. The fort in turn took its name from Colonel Abraham Myers in 1850; Myers served in the United States Army, mostly the Quartermaster Department, in various posts from 1833 to 1861 and was the quartermaster general of the Confederate States Army from 1861 to 1864.

Fort Myers has substantial African American and Latin American populations. Centennial Park downtown along the Caloosahatchee River, the IMAG History & Science Center, Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, and other historical sites are among the attractions.

History
According to some historians, the Calusa capital was located near Fort Myers. Following European contact, Spain had colonial influence in Florida, succeeded by Great Britain and lastly the United States.

Seminole Wars
During the Second Seminole War, between 1835 and 1842, the U.S. Army operated Fort Dulaney at Punta Rassa, at the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River. When a hurricane destroyed Fort Dulaney in October 1841, army operations were moved up the Caloosahatchee River to a site named Fort Harvie. Fort Harvie was abandoned in 1842, as the Second Seminole War wound down. After a white trader was killed by Seminoles on the Peace River in 1849, the Army returned to the Caloosahatchee River in 1850.

Major David E. Twiggs, then stationed at Fort Brooke (present day-Tampa), gave orders for two companies of artillery to "select a suitable place for the establishment of a post and immediately throw up such light works as may secure [their] stores, and remove from the Indians any temptation to which [their] isolated position may give rise." The new Fort Myers was built on the burned ruins of Fort Harvie.

The fort was named for Brevet Colonel Abraham Charles Myers, quartermaster for the Army's Department of Florida and future son-in-law of Major Twiggs. It covered about 139 acre, and soon had 57 buildings, including a two-story blockhouse that was pictured in Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, and a 1000 ft wharf at which ships could dock. Irvin Solomon notes that Fort Myers was described "as 'one of the finest and largest' forts of the Seminole Wars". It was abandoned in 1858, at the end of the Third Seminole War.

Civil War
During the American Civil War, Confederate blockade runners and cattle ranchers were based in Fort Myers. These settlers prospered through trading with the Seminole and Union soldiers.

The United States Army set up a camp on Useppa Island, near the entrance to Charlotte Harbor, in December 1863. It was intended as a place from which to recruit Union sympathizers and Confederate deserters and conscription-evaders and to raid into the interior and interfere with Confederate efforts to round up cattle for supply to the Confederate Army. After some probes along the Peace and Myakka rivers, which had mixed results, operations were moved to the mainland. Troops from the 47th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment and the 2nd Regiment of Florida Rangers, later reorganized as the 2nd Florida Cavalry Regiment, left Key West, Florida for Fort Myers early in January 1864. The Union soldiers reached Fort Myers quickly enough to capture three Confederate sympathizers before they could act on orders to burn the fort to keep it out of Union hands. Beyond the principal cause for occupying the fort of providing support for Union sympathizers and local residents disaffected with Confederate taxation and conscription, the fort provided access to the large cattle herds in southern Florida, support for the blockade of the southwest Florida coast being conducted by the U.S. Navy, and a haven for any escaped slaves in the area.

In April 1864, after the troops from the 47th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment had been transferred to Louisiana, Companies D and I of the 2nd United States Colored Infantry Regiment were transferred from Key West to Fort Myers, and remained at the fort until it was abandoned. Company G of the regiment had also been sent to Fort Myers by early May. Solomon argues that Brevet Brigadier General Daniel Phineas Woodbury, commandant of the District of Key West and the Tortugas, intended that action to be an irritant to the Confederacy. The presence of the black soldiers, who made up the majority of troops used in raids into Confederate territory, played on Confederate fears of armed blacks. It was reported that Woodbury took pleasure in placing a "prickly pear cactus under the Confederate saddle".

By the spring of 1864, Fort Myers was protected by a 500 ft breastwork, 7 ft high and 15 ft wide, extending in an arc around the land side of the fort. The Seminole War-era blockhouse had been repaired and another two-story blockhouse built. The fort was soon harboring more than 400 civilians and Confederate army deserters. Many of the white men enlisted in the 2nd Florida Union Cavalry. Although designated as cavalry, the members of the regiment stationed at Fort Myers were never mounted. Escaped slaves that came to the fort were recruited into the 2nd United States Colored Infantry Regiment.

The Union achieved control of the full length of the Mississippi River after the fall of Vicksburg in July 1863. The Confederate Army then became dependent on Florida for most of its supply of beef. By the end of 1863 between 1,000 and 2,000 head of cattle were being shipped to the Confederate Army from Florida every week.

As 1864 progressed, Union troops and sympathizers began driving cattle to Punta Rassa to supply Union ships on blockade duty and Union-held Key West, reducing the supply of cattle available to Confederate forces. The increased shipping from Punta Rassa led the Union Army to build a barracks and a wharf there. By one Confederate estimate, the Union shipped 4,500 head of cattle from Punta Rassa.

The Battle of Fort Myers was fought on February 20, 1865, in Lee County, Florida, during the last months of the American Civil War. This small engagement is known as the "southernmost land battle of the Civil War." However, see Battle of Palmito Ranch.

Settlement and founding
The Fort Myers community was founded after the American Civil War by Captain Manuel A. Gonzalez on February 21, 1866. Captain Gonzalez was familiar with the area as a result of his years of service delivering mail and supplies to the Union Army at the fort during the Seminole Indian Wars and Civil War.

When the U.S. government abandoned the fort following the Civil War, Gonzalez sailed from Key West to found the community. Three weeks later, Joseph Vivas and his wife, Christianna Stirrup Vivas, arrived with Gonzalez's wife, Evalina, and daughter Mary.

Gonzalez settled his family near the abandoned Fort Myers, where he began the area's first trading post. He traded tobacco, beads, and gunpowder, and sold otter, bobcat, and gator hide to the neighboring Seminole. A small community began to form around the trading post.

In the late 19th century, northerners began to travel to Florida in the winter. Some saw development opportunities. In 1881, the wealthy industrialist Hamilton Disston of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, came to the Caloosahatchee Valley. He planned to dredge and drain the Everglades for development. Diston connected Lake Okeechobee with the Caloosahatchee River; this allowed steamboats to run from the Gulf of Mexico to Lake Okeechobee and up the Kissimmee River.

On August 12, 1885, the small town of Fort Myers—all 349 residents—was incorporated. At that time, it was the second-largest town on Florida's Gulf Coast south of Cedar Key.

In 1885, inventor Thomas Alva Edison was cruising Florida's west coast and stopped to visit Fort Myers. He soon bought 13 acres along the Caloosahatchee River in town. There he built his home "Seminole Lodge", as a winter retreat. It included a laboratory for his continuing work. After the lodge was completed in 1886, Edison and his wife, Mina, spent many winters in Fort Myers. Edison also enjoyed local recreational fishing, for which Fort Myers had gained a national reputation.

Despite an initial offer by Edison to light the town, on New Year's Day in 1898 Fort Myers was first electrified by the Seminole Canning Company, a local company that canned and preserved fruit.

In 1898, the Royal Palm Hotel was constructed. This luxury hotel attracted tourists and established Fort Myers nationally as a winter resort destination.

20th century
On May 10, 1904, access to the Fort Myers area was greatly improved with the opening of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, connecting Punta Gorda to Fort Myers. This route provided Lee County both passenger and freight railroad service. The arrival of the railroad, however, also led to greater segregation in Fort Myers. With the railroad came the need for more unskilled labor and the arrival of a more uneducated workforce, compared to many African Americans who had already resided in town, some of whom had been tradespersons, vendors, and landowners. These more middle-class black citizens, as well as the new African-American laborers, were increasingly pressured to move to the segregated area that would become known as Safety Hill. This area of town, as can be seen by contemporary photographs, had a lower quality of houses and street surfaces. The area, now known as Dunbar, is still highly segregated from the rest of Fort Myers.

In 1907, the Seminole tribes' Federal Agency headquarters was relocated to Fort Myers. It remained there until 1913.

In 1908, the Arcade Theater was constructed in Downtown Fort Myers. Originally a vaudeville house, Edison viewed films here for the first time with friends Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone. With the growth of the film industry, the Arcade Theatre was converted into a full movie house. A wall divided the stage in order to form two screening rooms. Changes in moviegoing habits since the late 20th century have led to the renovation of the theater for use again in live performance. It is now host to the Florida Repertory Theatre, a performing arts hall.

During World War I, Edison became concerned about America's reliance on foreign supplies of rubber. He partnered with tire producer Harvey Firestone (of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company) and Henry Ford (of the Ford Motor Company) to try to find a rubber tree or plant that could grow quickly in the United States. He sought one that would contain enough latex to support his research endeavor. In 1927, the three men contributed $25,000 each, and created the Edison Botanic Research Corporation in an attempt to find a solution to this problem. In 1928, the Edison Botanic Research Corporation laboratory was constructed. It was in Fort Myers that Edison conducted the majority of his research and planted exotic plants and trees. He sent results and sample rubber residues to West Orange, New Jersey, for further work at his large Thomas A. Edison "Invention Factory" (now preserved in the Thomas Edison National Historical Park). Through Edison's efforts, the royal palms lining Riverside Avenue (now McGregor Boulevard) were imported and planted. They inspired Fort Myers' nickname as "City of Palms".

After testing around 17,000 plant samples, Edison eventually discovered a source in the goldenrod plant (Solidago leavenworthii). The rubber project was transferred to the United States Department of Agriculture five years later.

In 1916, automobile magnate Ford purchased the home next to Edison's from Robert Smith of New York. Ford named his estate "the Mangoes". Ford's craftsman-style "bungalow" was built in 1911 by Smith. Ford, Firestone, and Edison were leaders in American industry and part of an exclusive group titled "the Millionaires' Club". The three men have been memorialized in statues in downtown Fort Myers' Centennial Park.

In 1924, with the beginning of construction of the Edison Bridge, named for Edison, the city's population steadily grew. The bridge was opened on February 11, 1931, the 84th birthday of its namesake. Edison dedicated the bridge, and was the first to drive across it.

In the decade following the bridge's construction, the city had a real estate boom. Several new residential subdivisions were built beyond downtown, including Dean Park, Edison Park, and Seminole Park. Edison Park, located across McGregor Boulevard from the Edison and Ford properties, includes a number of Fort Myers' most stately homes. The population of Fort Myers City had been 575 citizens in 1890. By 1930, it had climbed to 9,082.

In 1947, Mina Edison deeded Seminole Lodge to the city of Fort Myers, in memory of her late husband and for the enjoyment of the public. By 1988, the adjacent Henry Ford winter estate was purchased by the city and opened for public tours in 1990. The combined properties today are known as the Edison and Ford Winter Estates.

21st century
In 2007, the tallest building in Fort Myers, High Point Place, opened at 367 feet.

Hurricane Ian
Fort Myers suffered catastrophic damage from Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022.

Geography and climate
The approximate coordinates for the City of Fort Myers is located at 26.61667°N, -81.83333°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 40.4 sqmi, of which 31.8 sqmi is land and 8.6 sqmi (21.25%) is water.

Fort Myers has a tropical monsoon climate (Am).

The temperature rarely rises to 100 °F or lowers to the freezing mark. Rainfall averages just over 57 inches per year, strongly concentrated during the rainy season (June to September) with its frequent showers and thunderstorms; on average, these four months deliver 67 percent of annual rainfall. From October to May, average monthly rainfall is less than 3.5 inches. In years with drier than average conditions from winter into mid-spring, drought can develop, and brush fires can be a significant threat. Reflecting the June to September wet season, Fort Myers has 89 days annually in which a thunderstorm is close enough for thunder to be heard, the most in the nation.

The monthly daily average temperature ranges from 64.7 °F in January to 83.4 °F in August, with the annual mean being 75.4 °F.

Records range from 24 °F on December 29, 1894 up to 103 °F on June 16–17, 1981.

Demographics
Fort Myers is one of two cities that make up the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area of Lee County. The 2020 population for the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in 2020 was 760,822, and it was the 73rd highest populated MSA in the US, as of 2020.

The population of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers-Naples, FL Combined Statistical Area in 2020 was 1,188,319, and it was the 47th highest populated combined statistical area (CSA) in the US, as of 2020.

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 86,395 people, 31,598 households, and 18,313 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 62,298 people, 24,352 households, and 14,192 families residing in the city.

Government
Fort Myers has a council–manager government in which the city council consists of a mayor and six council members. The city council is responsible for establishing policy, passing local ordinances, voting appropriations, and developing an overall vision for the city. The mayor is elected by registered voters city-wide. The mayor of Fort Myers is Kevin B. Anderson. Council members are elected by registered voters in their ward and represent that particular ward for a four-year term. Council members must continue to reside in that particular ward.

Policing of Fort Myers is performed by the Fort Myers Police Department.

Secondary schools
See: Lee County School District for other public schools in the area.
 * Secondary schools in the city include:

 * Dunbar High School, an International Baccalaureate school
 * Fort Myers Senior High School, an International Baccalaureate school
 * Bishop Verot High School, a private, Roman Catholic high school in Fort Myers, operated by the Diocese of Venice, Florida

Higher education
Institutions of higher learning in the city include:
 * Hodges University
 * Keiser University
 * Nova Southeastern University
 * Rasmussen College
 * Southern Technical College
 * Fort Myers Technical College

Libraries
Library Services include:
 * Fort Myers Regional Library: The Fort Myers Regional Library is the hub for the Lee County Library System, holding the main collections of legal, business, news, and financial information. The library is located in downtown Fort Myers.
 * Dunbar-Jupiter Hammon Public Library: The library opened on October 7, 1974. The founders named the library in honor of the first African poet to have his work published, Jupiter Hammon. Dunbar, the community's name, was added at the request of its residents. The library was moved in 1996 to its current location on Blount Street. It is home to the largest African-American book collection in southwest Florida.

Sports
The City of Palms Classic is an annual high school basketball tournament held in Fort Myers since 1973. By 2015, 120 players that had participated in the tournament had been named McDonald's All-Americans and 94 had been drafted into the NBA.

The Florida Eels is a Tier III junior hockey program in the USPHL with two teams; one in the Premier Division and one in the Elite Division. Both teams have performed well in their regular season and playoffs, advancing to Nationals on multiple occasions. The Fort Myers Skatium is their home rink.

JetBlue Park is the spring training home of the Boston Red Sox. During the summer, JetBlue Park is home of the Florida Complex League Red Sox, the Red Sox's rookie league team competing in the Florida Complex League.

Points of interest

 * The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium is a private, not-for-profit, environmental education organization. Set on a 105 acre site, it has a museum, three nature trails, a planetarium, butterfly and bird aviaries, a gift shop and meeting and picnic areas.
 * City of Palms Park, former home of the Boston Red Sox spring training program, close to downtown Fort Myers
 * Edison and Ford Winter Estates
 * Edison Mall
 * Historic Downtown, waterfront entertainment district
 * Murphy-Burroughs House
 * IMAG History & Science Center
 * Southwest Florida Museum of History

Airports
The Fort Myers metropolitan area is served by two nearby airports. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is located southeast of the city. The airport, which sits on 13,555 acres of land, is the 45th busiest airport in the United States (by annual passengers). In 2018 the airport served 9,373,178 passengers. Page Field is a small general aviation airport whose primary traffic consist of smaller aircraft.

Ground transport
Buses run by LeeTran provide local service in Fort Myers.

In film

 * The abandoned city scene with the Edison Theatre, from the movie Day of the Dead (1985) was filmed in downtown Fort Myers.
 * Some courthouse and other "city" scenes in Just Cause (1995) were filmed in downtown Fort Myers.
 * Part of the independent film Trans (1999) was filmed in Fort Myers.
 * The animated film Leo (2023) is set in Fort Myers, with one of the main locations in the film being the fictional Fort Myers Elementary School.

In print

 * Fort Myers is part of the setting of Red Grass River: A Legend (1998), a novel by James Carlos Blake.

Present

 * Nate Allen, safety for Miami Dolphins
 * Haley Bennett, actress
 * Jason Bartlett, Tampa Bay Rays shortstop
 * Bob Beamon, track and field athlete, gold medalist in 1968 Summer Olympics long jump, world record holder 1968 to 1991
 * Liston Bochette, Olympian; Fort Myers City Council member
 * Bert Blyleven, Hall of Fame pitcher for Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians and California Angels
 * James Carlos Blake, author and former faculty member of Edison Community College
 * Phillip Buchanon, cornerback for the Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders
 * Stacy Carter, former WWE wrestler
 * Stew Cliburn, Baseball player and coach.
 * Terrence Cody, nose tackle for Baltimore Ravens
 * Casey Coleman, former pitcher for Chicago Cubs
 * Noel Devine, running back for CFL's Montreal Alouettes
 * Richard Fain, former NFL player
 * Earnest Graham, NFL running back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
 * Mike Greenwell, former Boston Red Sox left fielder and NASCAR driver
 * Nolan Henke, professional golfer
 * Anthony Henry, cornerback, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns
 * Adam Johnson, former pitcher for Minnesota Twins
 * Tarah Kayne, figure skater, 2016 national champion
 * Jevon Kearse, defensive end, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans
 * Terri Kimball, Playboy Playmate of the Month for May 1964
 * Derek Lamely, professional golfer
 * Craig Leon, music and visual producer of the Ramones, Blondie, Luciano Pavarotti, Joshua Bell
 * George McNeill, professional golfer
 * Peter Mellor, English-born American footballer and coach
 * Terry-Jo Myers, professional golfer, winner of three LPGA Tour tournaments
 * Seth Petruzelli, professional MMA fighter
 * Plies (Algernod Lanier Washington), rapper
 * Lennie Rosenbluth (born 1933), college and NBA basketball player
 * Deion Sanders, Hall of Fame NFL cornerback for six teams, inducted to Pro Football Hall of Fame as a Dallas Cowboy, and Major League Baseball outfielder for five teams
 * Peggy Schoolcraft, professional bodybuilder, 1997 NPC Team Universe Champion
 * Chad Senior, two-time Olympian (Sydney Australia, 2000 - Athens Greece, 2004), competed in pentathlon
 * Vonzell Solomon, American Idol third-place finisher
 * Greg Spires, former NFL player
 * Elissa Steamer, professional skateboarder
 * Mike Venafro, former relief pitcher for Oakland Athletics and 4 other MLB teams
 * Dan Vogelbach, MLB player
 * Jaylen Watkins, safety for Los Angeles Chargers
 * Sammy Watkins, wide receiver for Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs
 * Tommy Watkins, former Minnesota Twins baseball player
 * Jeremy Ware, cornerback for Oakland Raiders
 * Walt Wesley, professional basketball player (1966–1976) for Cincinnati Royals and six other NBA teams
 * Cliff Williams, bass player for AC/DC
 * Julio Zuleta, former first baseman for Chicago Cubs

Past

 * Verna Aardema, children's book author
 * Patty Berg, Hall of Fame golfer, one of LPGA's founders
 * Gerard Damiano, adult film director
 * Thomas Edison, improved and perfected the incandescent light bulb and audio recording methods, had a winter estate next to Henry Ford's
 * Harvey Firestone, founded Firestone Tire Company, had a winter estate near Edison and Ford's homes
 * Henry Ford, founded the Ford Motor Company, and father of the assembly line, had a winter estate next to Thomas Edison's
 * Charles Ghigna, poet and children's author known as "Father Goose;" boyhood home 1950-1973
 * Mario Henderson, offensive tackle, Oakland Raiders
 * Sara Hildebrand, United States Olympic diver (2000, 2004)
 * Jan Hooks, American actress and comedian, best known for Saturday Night Live
 * Andrew Jacobson (born 1985), Major League Soccer player
 * Jerry Lawler, WWE wrestler and announcer
 * Clyde Lassen, U.S. Navy Commander, Medal of Honor recipient
 * Denise Masino, professional bodybuilder
 * Mindy McCready, country music artist
 * Norma Miller, Lindy Hop dancer, choreographer, actress, author, and comedian known as the Queen of Swing
 * Diamond Dallas Page, former WCW and WWE wrestler, actor
 * Kimberly Page, former member of the WCW Nitro Girls and Playboy model
 * Charles Rogers, Former NFL running back
 * Marius Russo, professional baseball player
 * Jean Shepherd, storyteller, humorist, media personality
 * Walt Wesley, professional basketball player

Sister cities
Fort Myers has a sister city agreement with:
 * 🇧🇾 Gomel (Belarus)
 * 🇩🇴 Santiago de los Caballeros (Dominican Republic)

title: Fort Myers, Florida


text:
Fort Myers Beach, Florida

Fort Myers Beach is a town located on the North end of Estero Island in Lee County, Florida, United States. The town is on the Gulf of Mexico and is accessed from the mainland by a bridge over Estero Bay. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was officially incorporated on December 31, 1995. The population was 5,582 at the 2020 census, down from 6,277 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Fort Myers Beach is located at 26.43861°N, -81.92556°W (26.438676, –81.925620).

The town is situated on the North end of Estero Island, one of the barrier islands in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Fort Myers, Florida.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.2 sqmi, of which 2.9 sqmi is land and 3.3 sqmi (53.41%) is water.

Climate
Fort Myers Beach has a tropical climate and has the following statistics on average. It receives 56 inches of rain and 0 inches of snow per year. The number of days with any measurable precipitation is 76. There are 265 sunny days per year. The July high is around 89 degrees and the low is 75 degrees. The January high is 75 and the low is 55.

Early history
The Calusa Indians first inhabited Estero Island, the island that Fort Myers Beach occupies, 2,000 years ago. The Calusa Indians resisted Spanish colonization attempts successfully including those by Ponce de León in 1513 and 1521. The Calusa met their demise 150 years later due to disease, hostilities, and political and economic upheaval. In the mid to late 1700s, Cuban fishermen then began to settle a small fishing village known as a Ranchero. This effectively displaced the remaining Calusa. In 1845, Florida became the 27th state.

American settlement
The Homestead Act of 1862 initiated American settlements on Estero Island. In 1862, Robert Gilbert received a homestead grant at the end of Connecticut Street, the highest point on Fort Myers Beach. In 1911, William Case developed the first subdivision and cottage rental industry. By 1914, all the property on the island was homesteaded with little industry beyond a hotel, fishing, gardening, and a sawmill operated by the Koreshan Unity (a communal society based on mainland Estero). At this point, Estero Island was named Crescent Beach.

Development on Crescent Beach was slow until the 1920s when Florida gained national attention as a vacation destination. In 1921, a toll bridge was opened connecting the beach to the mainland, followed closely by the construction of two casinos, hotels, a pier and the island's first canal. The land boom ended with the hurricanes of 1921 and 1926 that challenged the paradise appeal of southwest Florida. Despite entering a depression, Crescent Beach continued to gain small businesses, restaurants, subdivisions, and a school. In the 1950s, Crescent Beach continued to modernize. Many hotels were built including the Rancho del Mar, which boasted the first swimming pool. Additionally, the swing bridge was electrified to facilitate traffic. During this time, "pink gold" or pink shrimp were discovered igniting the shrimping industry and ancillary businesses to support it as the population increased by 50 percent. During this second land boom, numerous civic organizations, churches, local newspapers, weather and US Coast Guard stations, and the Beach Library were added to the island. The library became the first free public library in Lee County and opened in 1955 in a one-room cottage with a single librarian.

Incorporation
Fort Myers Beach has continued to develop to the present day. The island has a mix of year-round and seasonal residents, as well as a vibrant tourism industry. On December 31, 1995, legislation was passed to incorporate the town of Fort Myers Beach.

Hurricane Ian
On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian made landfall just north of the town as a high-end Category 4 hurricane, causing catastrophic damage and substantial loss of life in the city from high winds and destructive storm surge, which damaged the majority of homes and businesses along the coastline, including the popular Times Square.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,582 people, 3,497 households, and 2,198 families residing in the town.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 6,277 people, 3,596 households, and 2,025 families residing in the town.

The population density in 2010 was 2,262.8 PD/sqmi. There were 9,402 housing units at an average density of 3,248.3 /sqmi.

In 2010, there were 3,444 households, out of which 7.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 4.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.4% were non-families. 35.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.81 and the average family size was 2.23.

In 2010, in the town, the population was spread out, with 5.4% under the age of 18, 3.2% from 18 to 24, 11.6% from 25 to 44, 34.9% from 45 to 64, and 45.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 63.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males.

In 2010, the median income for a household in the town was $55,213, and the median income for a family was $79,292. Males had a median income of $41,761 versus $39,961 for females. The per capita income for the town was $57,902.

Government
Fort Myers Beach is governed by a five-member town council. The current town council consists of Mayor Dan Allers, Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt, Council Member John R. King, Council Member Bill Veach, and Council Member Karen Woodson. The town attorney, John Herin, works with the Town Council to implement plans.

The Town of Fort Myers Beach also operates Mound House Cultural and Environmental Learning Center located at 451 Connecticut Street, Newton Beach Park located at 4650 Estero Boulevard, Bay Oaks Recreational Campus (BORC) located at 2731 Oak Street, and Bayside Park located at San Carlos Boulevard and First Street. A few features of BORC include four full-size outdoor tennis courts, an 18-hole disc golf course, two full-size indoor basketball courts, weight room and a public pool that offers a children's pool along with a large slide. The pool is also available for lap swimmers.

Times Square is the retail, restaurant, and entertainment center of the Town of Fort Myers Beach, which also has public beach access.

Primary schools

 * Fort Myers Beach Elementary School: the only primary school located on Fort Myers Beach. The school is limited to children who live on Estero and San Carlos Islands or have families who work on the Beach. Fort Myers Beach is the smallest public elementary school in Lee County. It is an A-ranked school.

Secondary schools
There are no secondary schools on Fort Myers Beach. See Lee County School District for other public schools in Lee County that school-age children on Fort Myers can attend.

Churches
The Chapel by the Sea was the first church on the island. A congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Chapel by the Sea was started in 1932 as a mission of the Presbyterians. It was officially founded one year later. The first building was constructed in 1937 with a seating capacity of 47. Today's Sanctuary holds 700. Although it is Presbyterian, the Chapel is known on the island as the community church. The church hosts "God's Table" feeding the poor and needy of the beach every day, Monday through Friday.

Saint Raphael's Episcopal Church was the second church built on the island. It was founded on March 5, 1951, and the church was built in 1953. They are known for hosting the island's annual Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet, a tradition started in 1952 to bless all the boats and their crews.

Other churches on the island are the Roman Catholic Church of the Ascension, the Beach United Methodist Church, St. Peter's Lutheran Church, and the Beach Baptist Church.

Public transportation
Fort Myers Beach is served by LeeTran buses operated by the county.

Fort Myers Beach Lions Club Shrimp Festival
The Fort Myers Beach Lions Club Shrimp Festival takes place in March. The Shrimp Festival celebrates the shrimping industry on Fort Myers Beach. It consists of a shrimp eating competition, a 5k run, a parade, a pageant, and a food and crafts exposition.

Taste of the Beach
Taste of the Beach takes place in May. Taste of the Beach is an event where local restaurants offer samples of their signature dishes for purchase and compete for top Taste of the Beach Award in categories such as Best Appetizer, Best Beef Dish, Best Seafood Dish, Best Chicken Dish, Best Dessert, Best Decorated Booth, and People's choice award. Live music is performed throughout the event.

Fort Myers Beach Pirate Festival
The Fort Myers Beach Pirate Festival takes place the second weekend in October. The Fort Myers Beach Pirate Festival was named the #2 Pirate Festival in the Country by USA. This family-friendly event attracts thousands of people that come to enjoy the pirate bazaar, themed live music and performances, live ship battles, children's activities and the jolly pub quest (21+ event).

American Sand Sculpting Championship
The American Sand Sculpting Championship takes place in November. This is the largest sand sculpting event in the United States. Nearly 47,000 attendees visit and 2000 tons of sand are sculpted.

Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade
The Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade takes place in December. The event features 30 to 50 illuminated boats decorated with an array of animated Christmas scenes and filling the air with Christmas carols. The parade travels through the Back Bay and passes by some restaurants.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Fort Myers Beach, Florida


text:
Fort Myers Shores, Florida

Fort Myers Shores is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,774 at the 2020 census, up from 5,487 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Fort Myers Shores is located in northeastern Lee County at 26.71222°N, -81.73806°W (26.712252, -81.737962), on the south side of the Caloosahatchee River. It is bordered to the east by Olga. Florida State Road 80 forms the southern edge of the community, leading east 20 mi to LaBelle and southwest 10 mi to the center of Fort Myers, the Lee county seat. State Road 31 forms the western edge of the community, leading north 38 mi to Arcadia.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Fort Myers Shores CDP has a total area of 6.6 km2, of which 5.4 km2 are land and 1.2 km2, or 18.42%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,793 people, 2,172 households, and 1,598 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,699.2 PD/sqmi. There were 2,370 housing units at an average density of 1,104.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 85.98% White, 3.68% African American, 0.64% Native American, 1.52% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 6.16% from other races, and 1.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.37% of the population.

There were 2,172 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.8% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 20.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $37,021, and the median income for a family was $39,757. Males had a median income of $30,510 versus $22,826 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $20,927. About 6.6% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.8% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.

title: Fort Myers Shores, Florida


text:
Gateway, Florida

Gateway is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 10,376 at the 2020 census, up from 8,401 at the 2010 United States Census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The community is located north of Southwest Florida International Airport.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.14 sqmi, of which 5.65 sqmi is land and 0.49 sqmi is water.

Demographics
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 8,401 people living in the CDP. The population density was 1486.9 PD/sqmi. There were 4,108 housing units at an average density of 727.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.6% White, 9.3% Black, 2.0% Asian, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.5% of the population.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $83,583 and the per capita income for the CDP was $37,682. About 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line.

Education

 * Gateway Charter High School
 * Gateway Elementary and Intermediate Charter School K-8

title: Gateway, Florida


text:
Stillwater

Stillwater or still water may refer to:

 * Still water, water that is not carbonated

Settlements in the United States

 * Stillwater, Minnesota
 * Stillwater County, Montana
 * Stillwater igneous complex
 * Stillwater, Nevada
 * Stillwater, New Jersey
 * Stillwater, New York
 * Stillwater (village), New York
 * Stillwater, Ohio
 * Stillwater, Oklahoma, the largest city with this name
 * Stillwater, Ossining
 * Stillwater, Pennsylvania
 * Stillwater, Washington
 * Stillwater Township (disambiguation)

Settlements in other countries

 * Stillwater, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
 * Stillwater, Nova Scotia (disambiguation), several places in Canada
 * Stillwater, Auckland, North Island of New Zealand
 * Stillwater, West Coast, South Island of New Zealand

Arts and entertainment

 * Stillwater (band), a 1970s music group
 * Stillwater (fictional band), from the 2000 film Almost Famous
 * Stillwater, a fictional panda in the 2005 book Zen Shorts
 * Stillwater (TV series), an animated adaptation
 * Stillwater (film), a 2021 American crime drama
 * Still Water (sculpture), a 2011 bronze of a horse's head at Marble Arch, London, England
 * "Still Water (Love)" and "Still Water (Peace)", 1970 songs by Four Tops
 * Stillwater, a comic book written by Chip Zdarsky

Businesses and organizations

 * Still Water (University of Maine), a former laboratory at the University of Maine, U.S.
 * Stillwater Mill, a former textile factory in Smithfield, Rhode Island, U.S.
 * Stillwater Mining Company, a palladium and platinum mining company
 * Minnesota Correctional Facility – Stillwater, an American prison

title: Stillwater


text:
Harlem Heights, Florida

Harlem Heights is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,930 at the 2020 census, down from 1,975 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Harlem Heights is located southwest of the center of Lee County at 26.51668°N, -81.92795°W. It is bordered to the west, across Pine Ridge Road, by the Iona CDP. Gladiolus Drive is the main east-west road across the community. It is 10 mi south of the center of Fort Myers and 6 mi north of Fort Myers Beach. According to the United States Census Bureau, the Harlem Heights CDP has a total area of 2.0 km2, of which 1.7 sqkm are land and 0.4 sqkm, or 18.14%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,065 people, 303 households, and 236 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,341.4 PD/sqmi. There were 402 housing units at an average density of 506.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 42.72% White, 36.06% African American, 0.38% Asian, 16.71% from other races, and 4.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 55.02% of the population.

There were 303 households, out of which 40.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.3% were married couples living together, 33.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.1% were non-families. 16.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.51 and the average family size was 3.92.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 33.6% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $28,611, and the median income for a family was $27,056. Males had a median income of $22,826 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $8,963. About 27.4% of families and 27.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.3% of those under age 18 and 18.2% of those age 65 or over.

title: Harlem Heights, Florida


text:
Iona, Florida

Iona is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 16,908 at the 2020 census, up from 15,404 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

A strong EF2 tornado struck the town on January 16, 2022, causing major damage and injuring three people.

Geography
Iona is located in southwestern Lee County at 26.51667°N, -81.96667°W (26.510,-81.959). It is bordered to the west by Punta Rassa, to the east by Harlem Heights, and to the northeast by McGregor. Its northern boundary is the tidal Caloosahatchee River, across which is the city of Cape Coral. The southern edge of the community is Summerlin Road (County Road 869). McGregor Boulevard crosses the community from northeast to southwest. Iona is 4 mi northeast of the causeway to Sanibel Island and 11 mi southwest of the center of Fort Myers.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Iona CDP has a total area of 26.5 km2, of which 17.1 km2 are land and 9.4 km2, or 35.32%, are water, primarily in the Caloosahatchee River estuary.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,756 people, 6,023 households, and 3,740 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,648.5 PD/sqmi. There were 9,290 housing units at an average density of 1,302.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.47% White, 0.41% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.83% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.94% of the population.

There were 6,023 households, out of which 11.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 5.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.95 and the average family size was 2.36.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 10.2% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 17.6% from 25 to 44, 29.1% from 45 to 64, and 39.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 59 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $37,091, and the median income for a family was $46,250. Males had a median income of $34,740 versus $25,683 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $33,937. About 5.9% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.

title: Iona, Florida


text:
Lehigh Acres, Florida

Lehigh Acres is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lee County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 Census the population was 114,287, up from 86,784 at the 2010 census. Lehigh Acres is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is one of the fastest growing communities in Lee County.

Geography
Lehigh Acres is located in eastern Lee County at 26.60833°N, -81.63917°W (26.608333, -81.639167). It is bordered to the north by Alva, to the northwest by Buckingham, and to the southwest by Gateway, all unincorporated. It is bordered on the west by the city of Fort Myers, the Lee county seat, and extends east to the Hendry County line.

Florida State Road 82 forms the southern border of the community; the highway leads west 15 mi to the center of Fort Myers and southeast 20 mi to Immokalee.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Lehigh Acres CDP has a total area of 243.9 km2, of which 240.0 km2 are land and 3.9 km2, or 1.61%, are water.

History
Lehigh Acres was developed in the mid-1950s by Chicago businessman Lee Ratner. Seeking a tax shelter, Ratner had sold his pest control business and faced the possibility of losing most of his earnings to the high capital gains tax of that era. Ratner heard that cattle was a good investment for people in his predicament, and he bought 18000 acre of land in eastern Lee County and named it the Lucky Lee Ranch. After ranching for a while, and despite having no prior development experience, Ratner joined with Gerald H. Gould, a Florida advertising executive, Manuel Riskin, a Chicago CPA, and Edward Shapiro, a former Chicagoan who was in the real estate business in California, and began land sales at Lehigh Acres.

Gerald Gould was the president of the corporation that developed Lehigh Acres, which began in 1954. He remained as president until the company was sold in 1972.

Since the days of the Lucky Lee Ranch, the boundaries of Lehigh Acres have stretched to cover 61000 acre, including the runways of the former Buckingham Army Airfield, a major Army Air Forces training base that was closed at the end of World War II. The pasture land where Ratner's cattle roamed and the since broken up runways where military flight crews trained has been divided into some 152,000 0.25 and 0.5 acre lots for housing, along over 1400 mi of roads. Strips of land along major thoroughfares, such as Homestead Road and Lee Boulevard, were set aside for commerce. In 1997, nearly 90% of Lehigh Acres' lots remained vacant.

In 1992, Lee County, with the cooperation of a new developer, declared Lehigh Acres to be blighted, and authorized its Community Redevelopment Agency to take steps towards improving infrastructure and planning elements neglected by the original developer. It is estimated that nearly $11 million would be needed to repave the development's roads.

A surge in housing prices led to a boom in Lehigh Acres new-housing construction from 2003 to 2007, peaking at more than 7,500 new homes constructed in 2006. The number of homes built during this period exceeded the total number of homes constructed during the preceding 50 years.

But as in much of the United States, the real-estate boom of the 2000s went bust. The median house price in the Fort Myers area peaked in late 2005 at $322,300. Three years later, it had plummeted to $106,900. A reliance on construction jobs no longer available pushed the unemployment rate in the area of Lehigh Acres and Fort Myers to 14% by the summer of 2009. Property values reached a low in 2008 of $106,900. By late 2014, property values averaged $169,200.

2010 and 2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 114,287 people, 34,101 households, and 26,168 families residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 86,784 people, 27,040 households, and 20,416 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of 2000, 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.4% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.03.

In 2000, the CDP the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.

As of 2000, the median income for a household in the CDP was $31,517, and the median income for a family was $35,492. Males had a median income of $25,202 versus $19,935 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $17,186. By 2016, this figure rose to $17,222. About 9.8% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

Languages
As of 2000, 84.52% of residents spoke English as their first language, while 11.81% spoke Spanish, 1.34% spoke German, and 0.83% spoke French as their mother tongue. In total, 15.47% of the total population spoke languages other than English.

Public transportation
Lehigh Acres is served by LeeTran buses.

Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District
Most of the CDP, as well as some areas outside of the CDP, is served by the Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District (MSID), a special services district created by the Florida Legislature which covers areas in Lee and neighboring Hendry County. The MSID has an elected board of commissioners, and has powers over a limited sub-set of services usually provided by municipalities.

title: Lehigh Acres, Florida


text:
Lochmoor Waterway Estates, Florida

Lochmoor Waterway Estates is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,828 at the 2020 census, up from 4,204 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Lochmoor Waterway Estates is located in central Lee County at 26.64611°N, -81.91306°W (26.646110, -81.912958), on the west side of the tidal Caloosahatchee River, across from Fort Myers, the county seat. It is bordered to the south and west by the city of Cape Coral and to the north by unincorporated North Fort Myers.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 7.8 km2, of which 5.7 km2 are land and 2.1 km2, or 26.61%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,858 people, 1,638 households, and 1,187 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,729.8 PD/sqmi. There were 1,840 housing units at an average density of 825.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.70% White, 0.78% African American, 0.44% Native American, 1.40% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.55% of the population. There were 1,638 households, out of which 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.6% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.73. In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 18.3% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 20.3% from 25 to 44, 31.0% from 45 to 64, and 24.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $50,987, and the median income for a family was $56,250. Males had a median income of $39,430 versus $30,366 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $30,763. About 1.2% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.

title: Lochmoor Waterway Estates, Florida


text:
Matlacha, Florida

Matlacha ( "MAT-la-shay" ) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lee County, Florida, United States. The CDP had a population of 598 at the 2020 census, down from 677 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Matlacha is an "Old Florida" fishing village, home to many brightly colored art galleries, island boutiques, seafood restaurants, and traditional Floridian cottages. The village was largely devastated by Hurricane Ian in October 2022

Geography
Matlacha is located in northwestern Lee County at 26.63028°N, -82.07333°W (26.630339, -82.073412), on West Island and Porpoise Point Island at a narrow point in Matlacha Pass, a tidal waterway separating Pine Island and Little Pine Island from the mainland. County Road 78 (Southwest Pine Island Road) crosses the waterway at Matlacha, leading southwest 3 mi to Pine Island Center and northeast through Cape Coral 12 mi to North Fort Myers. Matlacha is bordered to the northeast, across Matlacha Pass, by the Matlacha Isles-Matlacha Shores CDP.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Matlacha CDP has a total area of 1.78 km2, of which 0.52 sqkm are land and 1.26 sqkm, or 70.99%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 735 people, 409 households, and 213 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4,878.7 PD/sqmi. There were 579 housing units at an average density of 3,843.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.23% White, 0.27% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.68% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.36% of the population. As of the 2010 census, Matlacha's population decreased to 677 and the town's African-American population increased from 0 in 2000 to 2 in 2010.

There were 409 households, out of which 6.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were married couples living together, 3.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.7% were non-families. 39.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.80 and the average family size was 2.33.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 7.3% under the age of 18, 2.4% from 18 to 24, 17.4% from 25 to 44, 34.7% from 45 to 64, and 38.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 58 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $36,417, and the median income for a family was $50,000. Males had a median income of $28,056 versus $28,750 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $24,371. About 7.4% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.9% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.

title: Matlacha, Florida


text:
Matlacha Isles-Matlacha Shores, Florida

Matlacha Isles-Matlacha Shores is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 227 at the 2020 census, down from 229 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Matlacha Isles-Matlacha Shores is located in western Lee County at 26.63611°N, -82.06278°W (26.636214, -82.062766), on the east side of Matlacha Pass, a tidal waterway separating Pine Island and Little Pine Island from the mainland. The CDP is bordered to the north by the city of Cape Coral.

Southwest Pine Island Road (County Road 78) runs through the community, leading east 12 mi to North Fort Myers and west across Matlacha Pass onto Little Pine Island.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.22 km2, of which 0.52 km2 are land and 0.70 km2, or 57.55%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 304 people, 159 households, and 96 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,391.5 PD/sqmi. There were 205 housing units at an average density of 938.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 99.01% White, 0.33% Native American, 0.33% Asian and 0.33% Pacific Islander. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.32% of the population.

There were 159 households, out of which 5.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 4.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.6% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.91 and the average family size was 2.40.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 6.6% under the age of 18, 2.6% from 18 to 24, 15.5% from 25 to 44, 40.1% from 45 to 64, and 35.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 59 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.9 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $31,528, and the median income for a family was $36,250. Males had a median income of $22,500 versus $32,500 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $22,116. About 7.4% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under the age of eighteen or sixty five or over.

title: Matlacha Isles-Matlacha Shores, Florida


text:
McGregor, Florida

McGregor is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 7,976 at the 2020 census, up from 7,406 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

A strong EF2 tornado struck the town on January 16, 2022, causing major damage.

Geography
McGregor is located in central Lee County at 26.56361°N, -81.90972°W (26.563603, -81.909692), in an unincorporated part of the county. It is bordered to the east by Whiskey Creek, to the southeast by Cypress Lake, and to the southwest by Iona, all unincorporated. McGregor is bordered to the northwest by the tidal Caloosahatchee River, across which is the city of Cape Coral. The Cape Coral Bridge crosses the Caloosahatchee River from McGregor.

Florida State Road 867 (McGregor Boulevard) is the main road through the community. It leads northeast 6 mi to the center of Fort Myers, the Lee county seat, and southwest 4 mi to San Carlos Boulevard in Iona.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the McGregor CDP has a total area of 10.5 km2, of which 6.1 km2 are land and 4.4 km2, or 41.86%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,136 people, 3,295 households, and 2,296 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,784.1 PD/sqmi. There were 3,982 housing units at an average density of 1,553.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.09% White, 0.84% African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.56% Asian, 0.39% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.91% of the population.

There were 3,295 households, out of which 17.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.0% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.55.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 15.0% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 19.2% from 25 to 44, 31.9% from 45 to 64, and 30.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $57,628, and the median income for a family was $67,353. Males had a median income of $52,151 versus $31,732 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $45,240. About 1.3% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 2.6% of those age 65 or over.

title: McGregor, Florida


text:
North Fort Myers, Florida

North Fort Myers is an unincorporated area and census-designated place (CDP) in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 42,719 at the 2020 census, up from 39,407 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
North Fort Myers is located in northern Lee County at 26.7°N, -81.88333°W (26.7029, -81.8844), northwest across the Caloosahatchee River from Fort Myers proper. It is bordered to the west by the city of Cape Coral and to the north by Charlotte County.

Interstate 75 runs through North Fort Myers, with access from Exit 143 (Florida State Road 78). I-75 leads northwest 67 mi to the Sarasota area and south 38 mi to the Naples area, while SR-78 leads east 34 mi to LaBelle and west 16 mi to Pine Island Center. U.S. Route 41 (North Tamiami Trail) passes through the center of North Fort Myers, leading southeast across the Caloosahatchee Bridge into the center of Fort Myers and northwest 24 mi to Port Charlotte.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the North Fort Myers CDP has a total area of 140.9 km2, of which 131.1 km2 are land and 9.8 km2, or 6.97%, are water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 39,407 people, 20,264 households, and 10,206 families residing in the CDP.

For the period 2013–2017, the estimated median annual income for a household in the CDP was $39,876, and the median income for a family was $53,893. Male full-time workers had a median income of $41,079 versus $34,207 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $26,891. About 9.0% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.8% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 42,719 people, 20,468 households, and 12,082 families residing in the CDP.

Of the 20,468 households in 2010, 12.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were headed by married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.0% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.98, and the average family size was 2.45.

In 2010, in the CDP, 10.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.1% were from 18 to 24, 12.3% were from 25 to 44, 29.3% were from 45 to 64, and 43.4% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 61.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.

Notable people

 * Noel Devine, Canadian Football League player
 * Mike Greenwell, MLB player and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver
 * Jeff Kottkamp, Florida lieutenant governor
 * Mindy McCready, country music singer
 * Deion Sanders, NFL player
 * Thomas Bohanon, NFL player

title: North Fort Myers, Florida


text:
Olga, Florida

Olga is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,270 at the 2020 census, up from 1,952 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Olga is located in northeastern Lee County at 26.71528°N, -81.7025°W (26.715310, -81.702539), on the south side of the Caloosahatchee River. It is bordered to the east and north by Alva and to the west by Fort Myers Shores. Florida State Road 80 passes through the CDP, leading southwest 11 mi to the center of Fort Myers, the county seat, and east 18 mi to LaBelle.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Olga CDP has a total area of 11.4 km2, of which 10.9 km2 are land and 0.5 km2, or 4.49%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,398 people, 515 households, and 402 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 329.0 PD/sqmi. There were 553 housing units at an average density of 130.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 90.34% White, 2.36% African American, 0.36% Native American, 1.22% Asian, 4.43% from other races, and 1.29% from two or more races. 9.08% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 515 households, out of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.9% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.9% were non-families. 18.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 26.3% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $55,000, and the median income for a family was $57,298. Males had a median income of $31,604 versus $23,333 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $19,826. 4.0% of the population and 4.0% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.5% of those under the age of 18 and none of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

title: Olga, Florida


text:
Page Park, Florida

Page Park is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 747 at the 2020 census, up from 514 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Page Park is located in central Lee County at 26.57806°N, -81.86111°W (26.577952, -81.861180), 4 mi south of the center of Fort Myers, the county seat. It is bordered to the north by Page Field, a public airport, and to the south by unincorporated Fort Myers Villas.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Page Park CDP has a total area of 0.7 km2, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 524 people, 235 households, and 105 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,890.9 PD/sqmi. There were 261 housing units at an average density of 941.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 86.45% White, 3.05% African American, 0.19% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 8.21% from other races, and 1.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21.76% of the population.

There were 235 households, out of which 26.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 23.4% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 55.3% were non-families. 40.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 21.2% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 39.5% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 6.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 149.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 147.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $23,600, and the median income for a family was $30,391. Males had a median income of $23,676 versus $21,042 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $14,281. About 13.4% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.8% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over.

title: Page Park, Florida


text:
Palmona Park, Florida

Palmona Park is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,240 at the 2020 census, down from 1,146 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Palmona Park is located in northern Lee County at 26.68611°N, -81.89639°W (26.685998, -81.896457). It is surrounded by the North Fort Myers CDP. The southwest corner of Palmona Park is at the intersection of U.S. Route 41 (Cleveland Avenue) and Florida State Road 78 (Pine Island Road). SR 78 forms the southern border of the CDP, US 41 forms the western border, Littleton Road is the northern border, and US 41 Business (North Tamiami Trail) forms most of the eastern border.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.2 km2, of which 10468 sqm, or 0.48%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,353 people, 541 households, and 326 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,630.9 PD/sqmi. There were 639 housing units at an average density of 770.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.90% White, 0.15% African American, 1.03% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 1.55% from other races, and 1.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.68% of the population.

There were 541 households, out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.8% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.6% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 26.6% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $22,617, and the median income for a family was $24,010. Males had a median income of $29,000 versus $16,979 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $14,119. About 15.2% of families and 21.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.1% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.

title: Palmona Park, Florida


text:
Pine Island Center, Florida

Pine Island Center is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located on Pine Island in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,942 at the 2020 census, up from 1,854 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Pine Island Center is located at 26.63306°N, -82.12194°W (26.633092, -82.122027) on the north-central part of Pine Island. It is bordered to the north by Pineland and Bokeelia and to the south by St. James City. The four communities together comprise all of Pine Island. To the east are Pine Island Creek and Matlacha Pass, and to the west is Pine Island Sound, all arms of the Gulf of Mexico.

The southern edge of Pine Island Center passes through the intersection of County Road 78 (Pine Island Road NW) with County Road 767 (Stringfellow Road). CR-78 leads east across Little Pine Island to the mainland and 16 mi to North Fort Myers, while Stringfellow Road runs the length of Pine Island, 7 mi to Bokeelia at the north end and 8 mi to St. James City at the south end.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Pine Island Center CDP has a total area of 12.05 km2, of which 11.32 km2 are land and 0.73 sqkm, or 6.08%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,721 people, 750 households, and 527 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 400.4 PD/sqmi. There were 953 housing units at an average density of 221.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.75% White, 1.16% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 1.16% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.44% of the population.

There were 750 households, out of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.67.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 20.3% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 23.0% from 25 to 44, 29.1% from 45 to 64, and 22.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $37,011, and the median income for a family was $46,212. Males had a median income of $26,587 versus $30,357 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $19,632. About 1.9% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 19.0% of those age 65 or over.

title: Pine Island Center, Florida


text:
Pine Manor, Florida

Pine Manor is a census-designated place (CDP) located off U.S. Route 41 (South Cleveland Ave) and Summerlin Road in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 4,122 at the 2020 census, up from 3,428 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Pine Manor is located in central Lee County at 26.57194°N, -81.87778°W (26.571853, -81.877732). It is bordered to the north by the city of Fort Myers, and by unincorporated Whiskey Creek to the west and Villas to the south. US 41 forms the eastern boundary of the community; the highway leads north 4 mi to the center of Fort Myers and south 11 mi to Estero.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Pine Manor CDP has a total area of 1.17 km2, of which 0.01 sqkm, or 1.17%, are water.

title: Pine Manor, Florida


text:
Pineland, Florida

Pineland is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) on Pine Island in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 466 at the 2020 census, up from 407 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Pineland is located in western Lee County at 26.66417°N, -82.14611°W (26.664274, -82.146106), on the west side of Pine Island near its northern end. It is bordered to the north and east by Bokeelia, to the south by Pine Island Center, and to the west by Pine Island Sound, an arm of the Gulf of Mexico. The northeast border of the CDP is Stringfellow Road (County Road 767), which runs north–south the length of the island.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Pineland CDP has a total area of 2.4 km2, of which 0.07 sqkm, or 2.90%, are water.

History
Pineland was the location of one of the largest and oldest native Florida settlements, established at least 2,000 years ago and used by a slowly evolving sequence of cultures. The Calusa people inhabited the area for 1,500 years until the arrival of Europeans. They called the site "Tampa" or "Tanpa", a name which was accidentally transferred north by European explorers.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 444 people, 212 households, and 150 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 481.7 PD/sqmi. There were 247 housing units at an average density of 268.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.65% White, 0.68% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.35% of the population.

There were 212 households, out of which 14.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.2% were married couples living together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 22.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.41.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 13.1% under the age of 18, 3.2% from 18 to 24, 14.6% from 25 to 44, 32.2% from 45 to 64, and 36.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 58 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $56,875, and the median income for a family was $59,615. Males had a median income of $61,058 versus $40,972 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $28,556. None of the families and 3.0% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Points of interest

 * The Florida Museum of Natural History's Randell Research Center is an archeological center and trail system devoted to the study of the original Calusa settlement at Pineland. Calusa shell mounds and remnants of their canal system are visible from the trail.
 * Pineland is home to one of the smallest post offices in the United States.

title: Pineland, Florida


text:
Punta Rassa, Florida

Punta Rassa is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,620 at the 2020 census, down from 1,750 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Punta Rassa is located in southwestern Lee County at 26.51667°N, -82°W (26.5104, -81.9988), at the west end of a peninsula bordered to the north by the Caloosahatchee River, to the west by San Carlos Bay, and to the south by the Gulf of Mexico. The community sits at the east end of the Sanibel Causeway, which crosses San Carlos Bay to Sanibel Island. McGregor Boulevard (County Road 867) forms the southern edge of the community; the highway leads northeast 15 mi to Fort Myers, the Lee county seat. Punta Rassa is bordered to the east by the unincorporated community of Iona.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Punta Rassa CDP has a total area of 11.6 km2, of which 6.2 km2 are land and 5.4 km2, or 46.55%, are water.

History
The location was named Punta Rasca (Spanish for "smooth or flat point" and later corrupted to "Punta Rassa") by the Spanish Conquistadors in the mid-16th century, who unloaded cattle in the area.

By the middle of the 18th century, fishermen from Cuba had established permanent fishing stations, called ranchos, along the southwest Florida coast from Tampa Bay to San Carlos Bay. The Spanish Cubans would stay in Florida from September until March drying and salting fish caught along the coast to supply Havana. Indians living in the area, possibly Calusa at first, and later Seminole, worked seasonally at the ranchos, staying on in the area during the off-season. Dr. Benjamin Strobel visited a rancho at Punta Rassa in 1833, where he found ten or so wood-framed houses. "Ponte Rasa" was named as a "rancho" in an 1835 letter from William Buner (presumably William Bunce) to Wiley Thompson.

Seminole Wars
Between 1835 and 1842, and again between 1855 and 1858, Punta Rassa was in the theater of war during the Seminole Wars. As a result, Fort Dulany (also spelled "Dulaney", "Delany" and "Delaney") was built there in 1837 as an army supply depot, with a hospital. The fort was abandoned the next year, and then re-occupied in 1841, when it was used to hold Seminole prisoners before they were sent west to the Indian Territory. A hurricane destroyed Fort Dulany in October 1841. Army operations were moved up the Caloosahatchee River to a site named Fort Harvie. Fort Harvie was abandoned in 1842. After a white trader was killed by Seminoles on the Peace River in 1849, the Army returned to the Caloosahatchee River in 1850. The new Fort Myers was built on the burned ruins of Fort Harvie. Fort Dulany was reopened during the Third Seminole War, in 1856, and then closed again in 1858.

Civil War
Southwest Florida was relatively quiet in the early part of the Civil War. Union troops and refugee Union sympathizers occupied Useppa Island in December 1863 and mounted a small raid into Charlotte Harbor and up the Myakka River, which resulted in some skirmishes with Confederate troops and irregulars. In January 1864, Union troops landed at Punta Rassa and marched overland to Fort Myers, which they were able to seize before Confederate sympathizers could burn it. The troops on Useppa Island then moved to Fort Myers. As the year progressed, Union troops and sympathizers began driving cattle to Punta Rassa to supply Union ships on blockade duty and Union-held Key West, reducing the supply of cattle available to Confederate forces. The increased shipping from Punta Rassa led the Union Army to build a barracks and a wharf there. The barracks was 50 by, set on 14 ft pilings to place the building above storm surges. At the end of the Civil War, the U.S. military withdrew from the area.

Telegraph
In 1866, the newly formed International Ocean Telegraph Company (IOTC) received from the U.S. government, the state of Florida and the government of Spain the exclusive right to operate an underseas telegraph cable between Florida and Cuba. In 1867, the IOTC constructed a telegraph line from Lake City, where it connected with the national telegraph network via Western Union, to Punta Rassa, where the underwater cable would come ashore. The underwater cable was laid from Havana to Key West, and then on to Punta Rassa, and the line opened to public use on September 11, 1867. The U.S. Congress had, in 1866, authorized telegraph companies to run their lines across, take supplies from, and place stations on federal public domain lands without charge. The IOTC placed its office in one room of the now abandoned barracks at Fort Dulaney, while the station agent lived in another room.

Cattle port
Punta Rassa became a thriving cattle shipping town in the later 1800s. The first cattle drive to Punta Rassa had been in 1833, when P. B. Prior purchased ten cattle and some calves from Seminoles living near the Peace River in what is now Hardee County, and drove them to Punta Rassa, possibly for transport to Sanibel Island. Florida cattlemen began shipping cattle to Cuba after the end of the Third Seminole War. Shipments at first were made from Tampa, and then from Fort Ogden and Punta Gorda on the Peace River. Cattle shipments to Cuba were curtailed, but not completely stopped, by the Union blockade of Florida during the Civil War. After the war ended, shipments of cattle from the Peace River ports resumed to Cuba, to Savannah, Georgia, and to Charleston, South Carolina. Some of the cattle shipments to Cuba were made out of Punta Rassa starting in 1869, and by 1872, 18,000 out of a little more than 21,000 cattle shipped from Florida to Cuba went through Punta Rassa.

Most cattle drives in Florida were relatively small and short. Three or four hundred steers would be driven by three to five cowboys for 100 mi or so from the open range of central Florida to Punta Rassa. A few cattle drives were larger, up to 1,500 cattle moved by ten or so cowboys. The longest drives were 300 mi, from Fernandina, by the Georgia border, to Punta Rassa. Water was a problem; too much during the wet season, not enough in the dry season. In the dry season, the cowboys might have to rope alligators to pull them out of water holes so that the cattle could safely drink.

The International Ocean Telegraph Company controlled the wharf that had been part of Fort Dulaney, and for many years, charged 15 cents a head for cattle loaded on ships from the wharf. Francis A. Hendry later built pens and a wharf at Punta Rassa and charged 10 cents a head for cattle shipped from his wharf. Another cattleman, Jake Summerlin, who had owned holding pens at Punta Rassa since 1868, built a hotel (the Summerlin House) in 1874. When the hotel was full, cowboys would camp out under the building. Summerlin bought Hendry's pens and wharf for $10,000 in 1878.

Cattle would be loaded at the port onto ships destined for Cuba. It was one of the home bases for the "King of the Cracker Cowboys" Jake Summerlin, who by the time he was 40, was one of the wealthiest of the Florida cattle barons. The town of Punta Rassa was lined with wooden buildings, including a hotel and several bars, which were frequented by the many merchants and cattle sellers.

Sport fishing and tourism
In the 1880s, the area became known as a great sport fishing area and was frequented by the wealthy, who came in search of the prized tarpon sport fish. Soon, however, visitors relocated to Boca Grande, 70 mi north of Punta Rassa by land after the Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railway was completed to that destination. Although the distance seems great, these areas are only separated by approximately 25 mi of water.

A railroad line was built towards Punta Rassa in the early 1920s by the Seaboard Air Line Railroad as part of an effort by Seaboard president S. Davies Warfield to reestablish a deepwater port at Punta Rassa. The 8 mi line branched off the Seaboard's main line, which ran along the west bank of the Ten Mile Canal, in South Fort Myers near where Six Mile Cypress Parkway crosses the canal. It ran through where Lakes Park currently sits, and then roughly paralleled what is now Summerlin Road, terminating just east of Punta Rassa at Truckland. Due to their financial state, the Seaboard Air Line Railroad discontinued all operations in the Fort Myers area in 1952. Despite never fully reaching Punta Rassa, the abandoned line is still referred to as Seaboard's Punta Rassa Branch. An FPL transmission line currently sits on a portion of the Punta Rassa Branch's former right of way just south of Summerlin Road.

The area figured prominently in the 1984 historical novel A Land Remembered, by Patrick D. Smith.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,731 people, 1,015 households, and 481 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 734.8 PD/sqmi. There were 1,372 housing units at an average density of 582.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 99.25% White, 0.35% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.06% from other races, and 0.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.23% of the population.

There were 1,015 households, out of which 1.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 0.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.6% were non-families. 52.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 48.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.53 and the average family size was 2.09.

In the CDP, the age distribution of the population shows 1.5% under the age of 18, 0.5% from 18 to 24, 2.8% from 25 to 44, 12.8% from 45 to 64, and 82.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 80 years. For every 100 females, there were 63.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 64.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $44,583, and the median income for a family was $66,912. Males had a median income of $73,333 versus $19,583 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $39,048. None of the families and 1.9% of the population was living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 1.3% of those over 64.

title: Punta Rassa, Florida


text:
San Carlos Park, Florida

San Carlos Park is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 18,563 at the 2020 census, up from 16,824 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
San Carlos Park is located in south-central Lee County at 26.47444°N, -81.81556°W (26.474458, -81.815467). It is an unincorporated community, bordered to the south by the village of Estero and to the east by the Three Oaks CDP. U.S. Route 41 forms the western edge of San Carlos Park, leading north 13 mi to Fort Myers, the county seat, and south through Estero and Bonita Springs 22 mi to Naples.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the San Carlos Park CDP has a total area of 12.9 km2, of which 12.2 km2 are land and 0.6 km2, or 4.93%, are water. The land in the CDP drains west via Mullock Creek to Estero Bay, an estuary connected to the Gulf of Mexico.

Demographics
At the 2000 census there were 16,317 people, 5,901 households, and 4,449 families in the CDP. The population density was 3,360.5 PD/sqmi. There were 6,580 housing units at an average density of 1,355.2 /sqmi. The racial makup of the CDP was 93.84% White, 1.26% African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.31% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.14%.

Of the 5,901 households 42.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were non-families. 16.5% of households were one person and 4.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.09.

The age distribution was 29.3% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 36.7% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.6 males.

The median household income was $45,870 and the median family income was $48,740. Males had a median income of $31,768 versus $25,541 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $19,022. About 6.1% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.8% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

History
Brothers Jules & Jack Freeman established San Carlos Park in 1953 in hopes of providing low cost homes for the middle class.

The Freeman group purchased their land from the Koreshan Unity who gave them almost 250 acres for just under $3,000. When they acquired the land in Estero, Florida, they found that it was in the middle of nowhere, with the county seat, Fort Myers, Florida, being over 20 miles away.

In the 1970s, the Freeman's drilled down into the ground and hit a spring, this spring would become a local attraction located at the San Carlos Park arches

Later on in the mid-1970s the Freeman group would go on to begin construction of their next community Three Oaks, Florida.

title: San Carlos Park, Florida