Back in the 1870’s United States government surveyors set up camp in a then untouched, remote area of Southwest Florida near a medicinal spring. At the time, the location was virtually unexplored by anyone other than the local Indians that inhabited the area, who believed the spring possessed the power to heal the sick and infirmed. After the government employees left the area, it became know as “Survey” and the stream running from it, “Surveyor’s Creek”.

In the next few years only a very small number of individuals and families settled in the area known as Survey. However by the late 1800’s, the population more than doubled in size when Braxton B. Comer moved into the area and purchased over 6000 acres of land then brought in fifty families from the neighboring state of Alabama to work a large plantation growing tropical fruits of the area including pineapples and bananas. This was the beginning of the true growth for Survey from a town into a community.

Following Comers arrival, the first public school in the area was constructed and in the first years of the 1900’s the Eagle Hotel was built. Only two stories tall, the hotels clientele were mainly hunters and fisherman who traveled to the area for a swath of Southwest Florida’s untouched natural lands.

By 1912, a gentleman from Tennessee had arrived in Survey and along with his associate began to layout the site for a small town of around 2400 acres. After the preliminary building had begun, it was decided that the existing name “Survey” would not attract potential buyers or settlers. Survey was now to be known as Bonita Springs. The name now based on the original medicinal spring originally located in the 1870’s by the first governmental surveyors. Surveyor’s Creek was also changed to its name of today, the Imperial River. The gulf beach then known as Fiddler-ville, named for the many fiddler crabs, which inhabited it, was also changed to the more appealing Bonita Beach.

People buying lots were promised a place to stay to oversee the construction of their homes. A hotel was built and named the Heitman Hotel. It later became the Villa Bonita and went through several owners until R. J. Cheatham bought it, called it the Shangri La, and dedicated it to the science of natural hygiene for better living. Today, you can find luxurious hotels such as the Hyatt Coconut Plantation, on the border of Bonita Springs and Estero. The Hyatt Coconut Plantation offers guests fabulous amenities including a shuttle to their private beach as well as unique time-share opportunities.

Just as Barron Collier was expanding Naples northward, he was also laying the infrastructure for Fort Myers including the Fort Myers Southern Railroad. These locations flank Bonita Springs both on the south and the north respectively. With the addition of this railroad and the progress of Colliers other project of the time, the Tamiaimi Trail, he set the stage for the inevitable migration of families to the area of Bonita Springs.

Attractions also helped bring more visitors to Bonita Springs. In 1936, the Piper brothers, Bill and Lester Piper built an attraction with wild alligators, cougars, other wild animals and native plants. The attraction was called the Everglades Wonder Gardens. Today the gardens are one of Bonita's largest attractions. A Canadian, Harold Crant, saw the millions of shells lying along the beaches and opened the Shell Factory on Old 41 in 1938. Originally just a small building the Crant’s started to merchandise articles made from shells to tourists. The building kept expanding and became a factory employing over 50 people to prepare the shells for selling or making into lamps, mirrors etc. The factory burned down in the early 40's but was rebuilt later in North Fort Myers.

Bonita remained a quiet small town for the next three decades. But the rush to build was about to start. With more major roads being built, shopping malls, modern office facilities and golf courses began appearing more and more frequently. Today Bonita Springs is an attractive and affluent area with beautiful beaches, fine restaurants and beautiful homes. Communities such as Pelican Landing and Bonita Bay emote tropical luxury and Florida living at its finest. Areas like Barefoot Beach have become well know for their private and luxurious residences right along the coast of the gulf. Situated slightly north of Barefoot Beach you will find Lover’s Key State Park. A day in Lover’s Key may consist of kayaking or biking, or simply a picnic and some time spent looking through the many gorgeous shells you will find along the beach. If you’re a boater, Bonita Springs is the place for you. With Bonita’s many bays and canals you’re sure to find many areas to discover and explore.