1960 Gulf Guarantee Land and Title Promotional Plat Map of Cape Coral, Florida

Florida's most successful Post-WWII planed city.

This is an enormous c. 1960 Gulf Guarantee Land and Title plat map of Cape Coral, Florida. It is the oldest known and best promotional map of Cape Coral - Florida's most successful post-WWII planned community.

A Closer Look

This enormous poster features maps and other promotional content on both sides. The recto (front) illustrates Cape Coral from Country Club Drive to the Plato Canal, and the verso depicts from just above Plato Drive to the Caloosahatchee River. The community is divided into numbered lots, each color-coded and zoned. Lot prices are included on the right of the recto, with total cost, lot dimensions, and monthly payment amounts quoted. Idealized illustrations of Cape Coral homes occupy the left side of the recto.

Cape Coral, Florida

Cape Coral, Florida, was founded by Baltimore real estate developers Leonard and Jack Rosen. The brothers purchased the Redfish Point peninsula in 1957 with the intention of developing a master-planned, organized community. The development was marketed as a 'Waterfront Wonderland,' with over 400 miles of canals. The Rosens employed aggressive marketing strategies, including nationwide advertising and free 'dinner and a pitch' presentations. The city grew rapidly, with the first four houses completed in May 1958. Cape Coral was incorporated as a city in 1970, transitioning from a developer-controlled community to a self-governed city. Over the decades, Cape Coral has evolved into one of the largest cities in Florida by area, known for its family-friendly environment, extensive canal system, and vibrant community life. In 2017, Forbes named Cape Coral America's fastest growing city.

Publication History and Census

This map was published by the Gulf Guarantee Land and Title Company c. 1960. We have had one other map of Cape Coral, published by the Gulf Guaranty Land and Title Company. Based on the language and the property prices, this is the earliest map of Cape Coral we've seen. This is the only known surviving example.

Condition

Good. Wear along original fold lines. Because the piece is double sided we have made no repairs. There are minor unrepaired points at a few fold intersections and an unrepaired tear extending 1 inch into printed area in upper left corner.