1961 Real Estate Brochure with Pictorial Map of Cape Coral, Florida

This is a c. 1961 real-estate brochure, featuring a pictorial map of the planned community Cape Coral, Florida. It was published by the developer of the town, Gulf Guarantee Land and Title Company. By 1961, the company was vigorously promoting available lots, and this brochure would have represented an essential pitch to prospective buyers.

A Closer Look

The brochure pitched '60% waterfront homesites... and 40% equally desirable waterview homesites with full waterfront privileges' for the new town. The attractions were obvious: gentle gulf breezes, access to the water for leisure activities, fishing, beaches and the like, but also touted dedicated space for parks, schools, and playgrounds; also, wide boulevards - this was to be a car town! Likewise, community social organizations were planned from the start - according to the brochure, at any rate. And it could be had for a downpayment of $20 and $20 monthly payments!

The Map

The inside of the brochure illustrates 'Exclusive Cape Coral' with an enticing pictorial map showing the position of this 'enchanted land of your dreams' in relation to Florida's other attractions: Boca Grande and other prize fishing areas, ball parks, golf courses... and the mysterious 'MYSTERY HOUSE...' only 23 miles away! Depictions of divers water-skiers, fishermen, sunbathers and alligators abound.

Cape Coral, Florida

This was a planned development, founded by two real estate developers from Baltimore, Leonard and Jack Rosen. Via their firm, the Gulf Guarantee Land and Title Company, the brothers purchased the Redfish Point peninsula in 1957 to take advantage of the low land prices and a correctly-spotted boom of interest in relocating to a sunny, leisurely, and paradisiac community. The first four houses built in Cape Coral were completed in May 1958 and the town was incorporated in August 1970. In 2017, Forbes named Cape Coral America's fastest growing city.

Publication History and Census

This brochure was created and published c. 1961 for Gulf Guarantee Land and Title Company, as a promotional tool. It does not appear in OCLC, neglected by institutional collections.