Sanibel & Captiva Chamber of Commerce History

On February 20th, 2012 the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 50th anniversay of incorporation.

10 years prior to 1962 island pioneers gathered on the east end of Sanibel and formed the Sanibel & Captiva Business Association, which eventually evolved into the Chamber of Commerce.

In 1963 the ferry to Sanibel was replaced by the causeway with a drawbridge to Sanibel. Shortly thereafter in 1964 the land was purchased at its current site to build the chamber of commerce building. Construction began with the $13,350.00 budget.

In 1974 Sanibel was incorporated as a city in Lee County, becoming the “City of Sanibel”.

In 2011 the Chamber Visitor Center was rededicated as the ‘Francis P. Bailey, Jr. Visitor Center’ in recognition of one of the original island pioneers that help establish the business association and the chamber.