PineIsland’s heritage begins with the Calusa Indians, who lived on and around PineIsland more than a thousand years ago. The abundance of fish and shellfish in the area’s waterways were the main source of food. Generations of island residents supported themselves and their families with commercial fishing. Currently, the Island consists of approximately 8,340 year round residents. The winter months bring in approximately 4,000 residents to enjoy this tropical paradise. The median age of the residents on the island is 57.   PineIsland and its communities are tucked into LeeCounty’s northwest corner and are celebrated by tropical fruit lovers, commercial fishermen and recreational anglers, bird-watchers, artists and approximately 8,000 year-round residents. The 17-mile-long island is a 15-minute drive from Cape Coral and 30 minutes from Fort Myers, but PineIsland offers a small-town, secluded atmosphere that seems a world apart from the rest of the metropolitan area. There are no traffic signals anywhere on the island. The Island is surrounded by mangroves, with a large portion of the Island zoned agricultural. The Island has escaped the skyscraper developments that many other Florida islands have succumbed to. Height and density zoning limits allow for future growth while preserving the island atmosphere. The communities of Matlacha (pronounced mat-luh-shay), PineIslandCenter, St.JamesCity, Bokeelia and Pineland create the Greater Pine Island area. Matlacha is a medley of one-story buildings painted like a rainbow. Multi-colored houses, yellow tackle stores, and pink art galleries dot the main road. Water backs up to nearly every home and business. The main drawbridge to the island is known as “the fishingest bridge in the world.” From the morning to the evening, Christmas or Fourth of July, you can always find someone on the bridge with a line dropped, hoping for the big catch. PineIslandCenter located in the vicinity of the 4 way stop, consists of a Winn-Dixie, the only major grocer on the island, Circle K, one of two gas stations on the island, Eckerd Drugs and a Dairy Queen. Mostly, though, independent businesses, a church directory, the library, PhillipsPark and the Matlacha-PineIsland fire district main station dominate it. The four-way stop serves as the gateway to the island’s three remaining communities. St. James is located in the southern portion of the Island. As you travel south to St. James, you will see a modicum of houses and mobile home communities, as well as the VFW, American Legion and the Moose Club. Palm tree groves, fruit tree orchards and plant nurseries border the road. An off-the-road concrete bike path complete with safety rail parallels the entire distance.  The Calusa Land Trust’s most accessible nature trail is located near the entrance to St. Jude’s Harbor, in St.JamesCity. You can hike or bicycle through the woods and wetlands to an overlook of backwaters in MatlachaPass.St.JamesCity, PineIsland’s most populated area is occupied heavily by winter residents. Manufactured homes and near-mansions rival those on Sanibel Island, which is viewable across the bay. The majority of homes, restaurants and businesses are on the water.   Bokeelia is one of two communities located north of the center. This small town is at the island’s northern tip with a view of CharlotteHarbor, GasparillaIsland and Boca Grande. Tropical fruit farms and palm tree groves exist in abundance. The area is home to marinas, restaurants, and an art gallery. Access to CayoCostaState Park via a small ferry is available from a local marina. Many farmers and commercial fishermen live in Bokeelia.  The second community on PineIsland’s north end is Pineland. A combination of homes, agriculture, historical sites along with a marina and restaurant are present here. The Calusa Indians built a complex system of canals and today; some canals can still be seen at Pineland. In the early 20^th century, settlers built their homes atop Calusa Indian mounds, and today some of those Calusa mounds are still present. Homes built on the mounds have wonderful views of Pine Island Sound and its outer barrier islands.   Research facilities such as the Mote Marine Laboratory and the University of Florida’s RandellResearchCenter are located here.

Health Care

Eckerd and Pine Island Pharmacy are at the Center. A dentist, a chiropractor and an osteopath are also present. There is no health clinic on the island. For your pets, a veterinarian is located on  Doug Taylor Circle

LibrariesThe Pine Island Public Library offers computer access, periodicals, and many books for adults and children. Adjacent to the Library is the old library building that is now a museum that concentrates on local history, especially that of the Calusa Indians. Traffic

The main artery through PineIsland is Stringfellow Road that runs the length of the island, north to south. The speed limit for the majority of this road is 55 mph (It is 30 mph through Matlacha.) There are no traffic signals on the island, only a 4 way stop as you enter the island. CrimePineIsland is a community known for few major crimes. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has a small substation on PineIsland.

PineIsland 
    Fast Facts....

Average Annual Air Temperatures:
74.4 F/23.6 C average annual temperature
84.1 F/28.9 C average annual high temperature
64.7 F/18.2 C average annual low temperatureMonthly Air Temperatures:

Average Annual Water Temperatures:
77.5 F/25.3 C average annual temperature
70.8 F/21.5 C average fall/winter temperature
84.1 F/28.9 C average spring/summer temperature
66.0 F/18.9 C average winter low temperature
87.0 F/30.6 C average summer high temperature

PINE ISLAND STATISTICS

Population:     8,128 year round
                      12,400 winter only
Annual Population Growth:   3%
Media Age:   58
Households:   3,739
Largest Industry:   Retail Trade
Largest Employer:  Winn Dixie
Climate:  Temp avg 70-90°
Rainfall 55 inches