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Bonita Springs, Florida, known as the “Gateway to the Gulf,” is located on both Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The town is located north of Marco Island, and just between Naples and Fort Myers, Florida. Located in Lee County, Bonita Springs, Florida is a quiet beach community, bordering Lovers Key State Park. Bonita Springs is known for excellent fishing and outdoor recreation in the town's rivers and bays.
The original inhabitants of Bonita Springs were the Calusa Indians. By the 18th century, the Calusa were gone, ravaged by diseases introduced by Europeans. The Bonita Springs area was virtually uninhabited until the 1880s, when Braxton Coomer started a 6,000 acre pineapple, banana, and coconut plantation. Plantation workers caused the area to flourish and it was transformed into a community called Survey, on the banks of the Imperial River. When J. Henry Ragsdale bought a large portion of land surrounding Survey in 1912, he thought the more lyrical name of Bonita Springs would attract more residents to the region. While it is uncertain that the name change led to Bonita Springs' growth, the addition of railroads and a highway system, dubbed the Tamiami Trail (because it connected Tampa to Miami), soon followed the name change.
Today Bonita Springs is one of southwest Florida’s premier vacation destinations. Bonita Bay is dotted with warm beaches, fishing ramps and scenic picnic areas. The area boasts several tennis courts, as well as five championship golf courses, including two designed by world-renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates Bonita Springs population at 40,746 for 2007. Bonita Springs is a friendly, family-oriented community. Families made up 65 percent of the households in Bonita Springs city. In 2007, there were 19,000 households in Bonita Springs city and the average household size was 2.1 people. The median income of households in Bonita Springs was $52,108, which was above the U.S. average of $50,007. Tourism, retail and service industries dominate the economy. A majority of residents are retired.
Bonita Springs, FL is served by the Lee County Schools. There are five public elementary and middle schools in Bonita Springs, and one private school. Nearby institutions of higher learning include Edison Community College and the Florida Gulf Coast University.
Residents and visitors to Bonita Springs, FL have numerous transportation options. The Southwest Florida International Airport in nearby Fort Myers provides both national and international air transportation. The Seminole Gulf Railway operates a line which passes through the city. Besides freight service, the railway offers murder mysteries, dinner train specials and educational daytime excursions. Public transportation via bus and trolley service is provided by the Lee County Transit Department, known as LeeTran. Bonita Springs offers drivers convenient access by way of the Bonita Beach Road and Interstate 75 and U.S. 41.
The Florida State Courts System is divided into 20 judicial circuits or areas of jurisdiction. Florida has two appellate courts. Florida's Supreme Court, the state's highest court, hears civil and criminal appeals from the lower courts. The court also answers constitutional questions and rules on the validity of statutes and on the construction of the state or U.S. constitutions. The state's five District Courts of Appeal, headquartered in Tallahassee, Lakeland, Miami, West Palm Beach, and Daytona Beach, hear all matters not directly appealable to the Supreme Court, as well as final actions of state agencies.
Florida has a two-tier trial court system of Circuit and County courts. The state's Circuit Courts hear felonies, family law matters, civil cases involving amounts over $15,000, probate, guardianship and mental health issues, juvenile dependency and delinquency issues and appeals from County Court. The state's County Courts hear misdemeanors, small claims of up to $5,000, and civil cases of up to and including $15,000 in controversy, as well as traffic cases. Examples of civil matters include hospital negligence, surgical malpractice, automobile accidents, truck accidents, work injury, dog bites, and professional liability lawsuits.
Bonita Springs, being in Lee County is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida. The Lee Justice Center is located at 1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901.
