Did you know? A historically significant landmark, the Cape Coral Gardens the “Rose Gardens” were once a beacon drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, including renowned figures like Bob Hope. Not only did it serve as a captivating setting for movies and commercials, but it was also envisioned to hold a bright future. Today, while the physical presence of the gardens has vanished, their legacy endures in the memories of some Cape Coral residents.
Spread over 80 acres in southwest Cape Coral, this artificial paradise boasted an impressive array of features, from pools, a lake, lagoons, to hills, all resulting from the ambitious vision of developers Jack and Leonard Rosen in the mid-1960s. At its heart was the spectacular Avenue of Roses, adorned with 40,000 rose bushes, stretching over two miles and serving as the grand gateway to the gardens, where a tram ferried visitors. The extravagance of the property knew no bounds, featuring a pool for dolphin performances, the Waltzing Waters show on the lake, a Polynesian Village by the riverside, a replica Iwo Jima statue in the Patriots Garden, and thematic gardens including children’s, hanging, Italian, and Japanese gardens, the latter complete with arch footbridges and floating blossoms.
Invested with five million dollars, the project was a testament to luxury and grandeur, drawing celebrities and contributing significantly to its allure. Bob Hope was celebrated as “Patriot of the Year” on the lake stage, and its peacocks starred in the 1960s movie ‘The Fat Spy’. The reflecting pool also became a cinematic location for an Oldsmobile commercial. Despite its initial popularity, the gardens ultimately closed due to financial difficulties and fell into neglect, with the original site now redeveloped into Tarpon Point. Nevertheless, elements of its grand past continue to live on; the Iwo Jima statue has been rehomed to Veterans Memorial Park and several of the presidential busts are preserved at the Cape Coral Museum of History, serving as enduring tributes to the once magnificent Cape Coral Gardens.