North Fort Myers Overview

The unincorporated community of North Fort Myers is often referred to as the "Gateway to Lee County."

Indeed, if coming from the north, the only routes leading to anywhere and everywhere in Lee County first pass through North Fort Myers. These pathways include I-75 to the east, US 41 to the west, and Business 41, which branches off US 41 and goes eastward from the "gateway."

A half-century back, the only US 41 was the business route now called "Old 41," and was the only main thoroughfare. It was called "The Tamiami Trail," and still is today. It got its name for being the only way to get from Tampa to Miami, and was a narrow two-lane way, not paved everywhere. It is presently undergoing another transformation — this time from four to six lanes.

According to a recent publication of the North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, this gateway community covers 70 square miles. It is adjacent to Cape Coral on the west side. The Caloosahatchee River brushes its southern borders, and Charlotte County is its northern neighbor. On the east side are wide stretches of undeveloped land.

North Fort Myers is home to a number of upscale, gated communities. Usually, they are built around lushly landscaped golf courses with most being open to the public.