The city's first eight homes were built on Riverside and Flamingo. The first family to move into their new Cape Coral home was the Schwartzes —Kenneth; wife, Barbara; and their three children, Billy, Tommy and Nancy. After the Schwartzs moved in, the Hendricks, the McGinns, Pearsons, Petries, Shoberts and Crauses soon followed, as did a home built by Clarence “Butch” Duffala.

The Yacht Club is considered the first large entertainment, recreation and family and group gathering destination in Cape Coral. Here are other historic firsts:

• First homes: Ground broken on first homes on Nov. 4, 1957, with lot prices ranging from $900 to $3,390.

• First residents: Kenneth J. Schwartz and family moved into home built on Riverside Drive on June 14, 1958. He was Gulf American Land Corporation general manager of the city project.

• First housing contractor: Connie Raymond Construction Company, out of Punta Gorda, in 1958.

• First eatery: Surfside Restaurant at intersection near Del Prado Boulevard and Cape Coral Parkway opens in August, 1958.

• First model home village: Constructed on York Court in October 1959.

• First industry: Namaha, a sportswear business, in August 1960.

• First doctor: Theodore David came to area three times a week, starting in September 1960.

• First fire chief: Ed Kocik, named April 1961.

• First full-time physician: Dr. Robert Tate set up his practice in an office on Del Prado on Aug. 27, 1967. He continued until his death in 2010.

• First golf course: Cape Coral Country Club, which opened officially in 1962. First round of golf – nine holes- was actually played in 1961. In the foursome were H.D. Andy Anderson, Clarence Duffala, Browning Wharton and Monte Hodo.

• First bank: Cape Coral Bank opened in February 1964.

• First child born in the city: Beth Pearson, delivered by her father, Alan Pearson, on Nov. 29, 1966.

• First business: Wonderland Realty, founded in 1960 by Andy Anderson, was first independent real estate office in Cape Coral. It was procured by Dorcas Sanford – Andy’s daughter – in 1968, and then in 1978 by Elmer Tabor – Andy’s grandson.

• First church service: By Faith Presbyterian Church in 1960 at the Nautilus Motel. Church chartered in February 1961.