Part 7/9:
Transition to Local Governance
As Cape Coral's population continued to swell, the call for self-governance arose. In 1970, residents opted to incorporate the city, electing their officials and stepping away from the paternal oversight of Gulf American, the company formed from the Rosen brothers’ original development efforts.
This shift allowed Cape Coral to establish its identity and manage its resources while addressing challenges of infrastructure, crime, and burgeoning diversity. Yet, the shadows of earlier decisions continued to manifest— the poorly connected road network created through extensive canal dredging left lasting impressions on transport and community layout that persist to this day.