Living between the locks in Olga
From her home in Olga, Barbara Ware sees all sorts of boats sail past on their way down the Caloosahatchee River. One day, Ware even spotted a vessel bearing the presidential seal; it was the former presidential yacht, used by every U.S. president from Harry Truman to Richard Nixon, on a chartered trip. Many boats travel the river, which eventually connects to the Intracoastal Waterway. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates a lock in the unincorporated community of Olga, creating prime viewing opportunities from residents’ docks and porches. “All the boats that go through have to stop in front of our house, so we get a chance to see all these boats as they cross to the Intracoastal,” says Ware, owner of Barbara L. Ware Realty Inc. Boat traffic can build up on the water, but, on land, Olga is a peaceful community removed from the rapidly developing city of Fort Myers. Away from the riverfront, there are a few farms and houses on large parcels, sequestered behind rows of palms and Spanish moss-covered oaks. “It reminds me of how Fort Myers used to be,” Ware says.
Waterfront homes along the Caloosahatchee
Riverside houses vary from stucco ranch-style homes to custom contemporary designs, but most have private docks. Inland, Spanish Colonial Revival homes and New Traditionals line streets, while some houses are spaced out on multi-acre properties. Most recent home sales range from $260,000 to $540,000, though a few homes on acre-plus lots have sold between $710,000 and $890,000.
Flood zones cover most of the community, so mortgage lenders may require homebuyers to have flood insurance. The W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam, along with another lock about 30 miles away, helps with flood control for some areas of Olga. For example, Hurricane Ian destroyed thousands of buildings across Lee County in 2022 — but not Ware’s house. “We were one of the homes not flooded during Ian, because we lived between the locks,” she says. “The water came into our yard, but it didn’t flood the house.” The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opens the locks before major storms, allowing boats to seek safe harbor between them.
School choice in the School District of Lee County
Children are assigned to an attendance zone based on where they live, and each zone has multiple school options. In January and February, parents of incoming kindergartners, sixth graders and ninth graders may apply to the schools they want their children to attend. In Olga, options include The Alva School, a school for kindergartners through eighth graders that gets a B-minus from Niche, and B-rated Riverdale High. Riverdale High’s Education Academy gives students interested in teaching the opportunity to learn about education careers, take part in classroom observations and help teach at local elementary schools.
Accessing the river at W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area
Paddlers and boaters can launch into the river from the ramp at W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area. On occasion, the Florida Vagabonds suit up in old-timey baseball uniforms and head to the park to play vintage baseball, a version of the game played according to 1860s rules. The park is next to the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam. “They have a platform where you can see the water level go up and down when they open the locks,” Ware says. The playground and tennis court at Olga Community Park are next to Olga Community Center, where people can take yoga classes and line dancing lessons. The center also hosts summer and spring break camps for kids. Beach days are only about 30 miles away.
Businesses concentrate along state Road 80
Residents can go east or west on Florida state Road 80 to grab barbecue at Rib City or Southern breakfasts, lunches and dinners at Alva Country Diner. Boaters moor their vessels at Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill, a waterfront restaurant with a swimming pool and daily live music. Stores along the highway include Publix, Tractor Supply Co. and DG Ace Hardware. HCA Florida Lehigh Hospital is 12 miles away. On South Olga Drive, Holy Cross Orthodox Church stands across from Olga Baptist Church.
State Road 80, LeeTran bus route to Fort Myers
The 10-mile drive to Fort Myers can take up to 45 minutes, depending on traffic. People can hop on a LeeTran bus to downtown Fort Myers, a roughly 30-minute ride. Twenty miles away at Southwest Florida International Airport, travelers catch nonstop flights to more than 70 destinations.
Written By
Alex Soderstrom
