The story so far
from Wikipedia & the U.S. CensusMatlacha ( MAT-lə-shay "MAT-la-shay") is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lee County, Florida, United States. The CDP had a population of 598 at the 2020 census, down from 677 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. Matlacha is an "Old Florida" fishing village, home to many brightly colored art galleries, island boutiques, seafood restaurants, and traditional Floridian cottages. The village was largely devastated by Hurricane Ian in October 2022.
Between the 2010 and 2020 censuses its population fell from 677 to 598 (-12%). Half of its homes were built before 1980.
Wikipedia doesn’t have a history of Matlacha yet — the old photos, dates and memories neighbors add here are how it gets written.
Intro from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Population and housing: U.S. Census Bureau.
Start Matlacha’s collection
The first neighbors to add old photos shape how Matlacha’s history is told.
0 of 10 decades since 1900 have photos 📦Share a family photoSign in to add one+10Famous people close to Matlacha
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Matlacha, decade by decade
2000
Nothing in Matlacha is on the National Register yet
That’s true of most small towns. It doesn’t mean Matlacha has no history, only that no one has written up a nomination. The closest listed place is Pine-Aire Lodge in Pineland, 5 miles away.
Matlacha and the nearest listed places
How a place gets listed
Then & now
When neighbors add old photos, retakes from the same spot appear here side by side.