Many are surprised to discover that Cape Coral's history dates back further than the boom of the 1960s. Indeed, homesteader families were living a rough-and-tumble life in the cape's wilderness for much of the 20th century. Still, there is no denying that the city took a turn with the arrival of Jack and Leonard Rosen in 1957. These visionaries brought their Gulf American Land Corporation to Southwest Florida and built a modern city from scratch. Model homes, roads galore, an airport, a police force, the Cape Coral Country Club, the Nautilus Motel, and the famous Rose Gardens-all rising out of the woods on the north shore of the Caloosahatchee River. Hundreds of miles of canals were dug so that nearly every home was on or near the water. Hollywood celebrities turned out to promote properties to Northerners looking for the good life in sunny Florida. It was one of the largest planned developments ever in the United States-and it was a rousing success.
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
Review
Title: Book examines cityÂ’s history through old photos
Author: Meghan McCoy
Publisher: Cape Coral Daily Breeze
Date: 9/29/09
A new book capturing the history of Cape Coral, along with 15 historical post cards, will be available Monday.
Local authors Chris Wadsworth and Anne Cull and the Cape Coral Historical Society have put together the pictorial history using vintage photographs of model homes, roads, the airport, police force, Cape Coral Country Club, Nautilus Motel and famous Rose Gardens.
Wadsworth said he is a journalist by trait who has always been a history buff. He has covered Southwest Florida news for more than a decade as a television, newspaper and now freelance reporter.
Cull has worked as the curator of the Cape Coral Historical Museum for the past 10 years, which provided her with the opportunity to expand the museum from one to three buildings.
Wadsworth said he had his first taste of creating an "Images of America" book through Arcadia Publishing for the city of Bonita Springs, which came out earlier this year.
According to Cull, the "Images of America Cape Coral" book illustrates the unique history of the Cape.
She said those who read the book will learn about how Cape Coral came to be, along with learning the different characters who took part in the early history of the city.
"We got firsthand information from people who actually lived in Cape Coral," Cull said, adding that most of the information came from the Cape Coral Historical Museum and archives.
Wadsworth agreed, stating that the museum had a wonderful archive for them to work with to put together the book. He said it was also nice to reach out to families in the community for photographs and information.
"It was so much fun going through the photos," Wadsworth said.
He said the book is best described as a "community photo album" filled with a ton of photographs from the early days of Cape Coral.
Wadsworth added that the book is very approachable and assessable, providing individuals an opportunity to learn the history of the city.
By putting the book together he hopes "to turn people's opinions around" about Cape Coral and introduce them to the interesting history of the city.
Cull said the book was finished in March. It took a few months to put it together, research and sort through thousands of pictures.
"It will be a nice addition for the Cape Coral residents," Cull said. "It really will, especially for someone who is moving into the community."
"I hope we did Cape Coral justice and I hope everyone enjoys the book," Wadsworth said. "It was a great experience."
He added that Arcadia Publishing was shocked at the size of the city and was eager to get a Cape book on its list of cities.
There may be a bit of a lag time before the book appears in stores.
"It is on the online sites already," Wadsworth said.
There will be a book signing, along with a PowerPoint presentation by Wadsworth, at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at Cultural Park Theatre, 528 Cultural Park Blvd.
"Everyone is invited," Cull said.
For more information, call Cull at 772-7037.
"Images of America Cape Coral" costs $21.99 and postcards are $7.99 through Arcadia Publishing.
Both items are available at local retailers, online bookstores and through Arcadia Publishing at: arcadiapublishing.com or (888) 313-2665.
Cape Coral is such a new community developed by the famous Rosen Brothers in the late 1950s and early 1960s that few realize its rich history dating all the way back to the 19th century. This oversight could change for many Southwest Floridians thanks to the release of a new history book written by local author Chris Wadsworth and Ann Cull, the curator of the Cape Coral Historical Museum. Titled Images of America: Cape Coral, the paperback book features more than 200 historical photographs from the early years on the Cape. The authors trace the community s development from the years as a cattle farming wilderness at the turn of the century to the arrival of the Rosens, the rapid rise of neighborhoods and the city s incorporation in 1970. Some of my friends laughed when I told them I was writing a history book on Cape Coral. They thought the Cape didn t have much of a history, Mr. Wadsworth says. However, I got the last laugh. Cape Coral has a fantastic history, one that is really unique in the United States. Another bonus for the authors was the rich archives kept by the Cape Coral Historical Museum. A century ago, many people didn t appreciate historic preservation. Photos weren t regularly taken of buildings and parks in a town and most old photos and newspapers were thrown away. On the other hand, Cape Coral is so new that by the 1960s, people were recognizing that history was unfolding in front of them as the city developed. To this end, thousands of old photographs, newspapers, marketing brochures and city incorporation papers were saved. It was really an embarrassment of riches, Mr. Wadsworth said. We had thousands of images to consider and we were able to pick the very best to go in the book. To help market the book, Mr. Wadsworth created a Facebook page for the book, which now has more than 400 fans and is still growing. Many early residents of Cape Coral have joined the page and are reconnecting and sharing their own photos and stories from the Cape s formative years. Images of America: Cape Coral is the latest in a large series of history books released by Arcadia Publishing of Mount Pleasant, S.C. The company has more than 5,000 titles covering many large cities and small towns across the country. The authors of the Cape Coral book feel their work is like a family album one filled with nostalgic photographs and great stories of a time gone by. It s wonderful how these Arcadia books allow us to capture these moments in time these early residents and their priceless memories and share them with a wider audience, Ms. Cull says. Â Images of America: Cape Coral is available at the Cape Coral Historical Museum, 544 Cultural Park Blvd. in Cape Coral, 772- 7037. The proceeds from books purchased there support the museum. The book is also available at local bookstores such as Barnes & Noble and Waldenbooks, as well as at online bookstores. Images of America: Cape Coral will be for sale and author Chris Wadsworth will sign copies and chat with guests about the history of Cape Coral at an upcoming event at the Cape Dog & Deli. The book signing is set for noon to 1:30 p.m. Monday Oct. 26, at Cape Dog & Deli, 1227 Cape Coral Parkway East in Big John s Plaza. For details, call 471-2396. --Florida Weekly
Author: Meghan McCoy
Publisher: Cape Coral Daily Breeze
Date: 9/29/09
A new book capturing the history of Cape Coral, along with 15 historical post cards, will be available Monday.
Local authors Chris Wadsworth and Anne Cull and the Cape Coral Historical Society have put together the pictorial history using vintage photographs of model homes, roads, the airport, police force, Cape Coral Country Club, Nautilus Motel and famous Rose Gardens.
Wadsworth said he is a journalist by trait who has always been a history buff. He has covered Southwest Florida news for more than a decade as a television, newspaper and now freelance reporter.
Cull has worked as the curator of the Cape Coral Historical Museum for the past 10 years, which provided her with the opportunity to expand the museum from one to three buildings.
Wadsworth said he had his first taste of creating an "Images of America" book through Arcadia Publishing for the city of Bonita Springs, which came out earlier this year.
According to Cull, the "Images of America Cape Coral" book illustrates the unique history of the Cape.
She said those who read the book will learn about how Cape Coral came to be, along with learning the different characters who took part in the early history of the city.
"We got firsthand information from people who actually lived in Cape Coral," Cull said, adding that most of the information came from the Cape Coral Historical Museum and archives.
Wadsworth agreed, stating that the museum had a wonderful archive for them to work with to put together the book. He said it was also nice to reach out to families in the community for photographs and information.
"It was so much fun going through the photos," Wadsworth said.
He said the book is best described as a "community photo album" filled with a ton of photographs from the early days of Cape Coral.
Wadsworth added that the book is very approachable and assessable, providing individuals an opportunity to learn the history of the city.
By putting the book together he hopes "to turn people's opinions around" about Cape Coral and introduce them to the interesting history of the city.
Cull said the book was finished in March. It took a few months to put it together, research and sort through thousands of pictures.
"It will be a nice addition for the Cape Coral residents," Cull said. "It really will, especially for someone who is moving into the community."
"I hope we did Cape Coral justice and I hope everyone enjoys the book," Wadsworth said. "It was a great experience."
He added that Arcadia Publishing was shocked at the size of the city and was eager to get a Cape book on its list of cities.
There may be a bit of a lag time before the book appears in stores.
"It is on the online sites already," Wadsworth said.
There will be a book signing, along with a PowerPoint presentation by Wadsworth, at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at Cultural Park Theatre, 528 Cultural Park Blvd.
"Everyone is invited," Cull said.
For more information, call Cull at 772-7037.
"Images of America Cape Coral" costs $21.99 and postcards are $7.99 through Arcadia Publishing.
Both items are available at local retailers, online bookstores and through Arcadia Publishing at: arcadiapublishing.com or (888) 313-2665.
Cape Coral is such a new community developed by the famous Rosen Brothers in the late 1950s and early 1960s that few realize its rich history dating all the way back to the 19th century. This oversight could change for many Southwest Floridians thanks to the release of a new history book written by local author Chris Wadsworth and Ann Cull, the curator of the Cape Coral Historical Museum. Titled Images of America: Cape Coral, the paperback book features more than 200 historical photographs from the early years on the Cape. The authors trace the community s development from the years as a cattle farming wilderness at the turn of the century to the arrival of the Rosens, the rapid rise of neighborhoods and the city s incorporation in 1970. Some of my friends laughed when I told them I was writing a history book on Cape Coral. They thought the Cape didn t have much of a history, Mr. Wadsworth says. However, I got the last laugh. Cape Coral has a fantastic history, one that is really unique in the United States. Another bonus for the authors was the rich archives kept by the Cape Coral Historical Museum. A century ago, many people didn t appreciate historic preservation. Photos weren t regularly taken of buildings and parks in a town and most old photos and newspapers were thrown away. On the other hand, Cape Coral is so new that by the 1960s, people were recognizing that history was unfolding in front of them as the city developed. To this end, thousands of old photographs, newspapers, marketing brochures and city incorporation papers were saved. It was really an embarrassment of riches, Mr. Wadsworth said. We had thousands of images to consider and we were able to pick the very best to go in the book. To help market the book, Mr. Wadsworth created a Facebook page for the book, which now has more than 400 fans and is still growing. Many early residents of Cape Coral have joined the page and are reconnecting and sharing their own photos and stories from the Cape s formative years. Images of America: Cape Coral is the latest in a large series of history books released by Arcadia Publishing of Mount Pleasant, S.C. The company has more than 5,000 titles covering many large cities and small towns across the country. The authors of the Cape Coral book feel their work is like a family album one filled with nostalgic photographs and great stories of a time gone by. It s wonderful how these Arcadia books allow us to capture these moments in time these early residents and their priceless memories and share them with a wider audience, Ms. Cull says. Â Images of America: Cape Coral is available at the Cape Coral Historical Museum, 544 Cultural Park Blvd. in Cape Coral, 772- 7037. The proceeds from books purchased there support the museum. The book is also available at local bookstores such as Barnes & Noble and Waldenbooks, as well as at online bookstores. Images of America: Cape Coral will be for sale and author Chris Wadsworth will sign copies and chat with guests about the history of Cape Coral at an upcoming event at the Cape Dog & Deli. The book signing is set for noon to 1:30 p.m. Monday Oct. 26, at Cape Dog & Deli, 1227 Cape Coral Parkway East in Big John s Plaza. For details, call 471-2396. --Florida Weekly
About the Author
Veteran Southwest Florida journalist Chris Wadsworth, author of Images of America: Bonita Springs, has joined with Anne Cull, curator of the Cape Coral Historical Society Museum, to produce this treasure trove of remarkable images. The duo pored over thousands of photographs and archival materials to capture the excitement and energy of Cape Coral's unique history.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fun to look at old pictures!,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Cape Coral (Images of America) (Images of Aviation) (Images of America (Arcadia Publishing)) (Paperback)
Having lived in Cape Coral for about 16 years now I found this book very fascinating. You get to see pictures of the very first development and read the stories of what happened.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lots of pictures,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Cape Coral (Images of America) (Images of Aviation) (Images of America (Arcadia Publishing)) (Paperback)
Initially, I was alittle disappointed with how thin and small the book was, however seeing the city develop through the pictures in this book and learning more about the city I lived in for 20+ years was quite refreshing. If you're looking for a written history of Cape Coral then look elsewhere since about 98% of this book is pictures. The majority of the pictures in the book are from the 50's-60's. The only thing I'd change about this book is more pictures of Cape Coral through the 70's-present.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Inside This Book
(learn more)
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
So You'd Like to...
Look for Similar Items by Category
- Books > History > Americas > United States > State & Local
