In 1957, two brothers, Leonard and Jack Rosen, purchased 103 square miles of Southwest Florida with a dream of creating a new city. Two years later, the Rosens acquired an additional 15,000 acres to build their "water wonderland." The area, originally known as redfish Point, was named Cape Coral, just because "it sounded good."

The Rosen's idea was a community that would grow according to a plan, balanced to anticipate the needs of citizens and businesses. The impetus for this dream was the experience of other cities that have failed to plan and had to compromise their ideals as they grew.

Subsequently, the community took shape: the largest concentration of earth moving equipment in Florida history was brought in to excavate canals and prepare home sites, commercial areas, and industrial districts. The result was an extraordinary network of navigable canals and waterfront home sites available for new residents to enjoy the best of Florida Living.

In 1970, Cape Coral was incorperated as a city.