Built in the late 1920s by island volunteers on land donated by the Nutt family, the Sanibel Community House became a central gathering place for the island community after opening in 1927. Seasonal resident Curtis Perry walked the island, visiting every dwelling to solicit funds for the building. The house became the home of Sanibel's Shell Fair, the largest and longest running Shell Fair in the world, and hosted Saturday night socials where islanders gathered for dinner, square dances, games, and conversation. It also served as a venue for movies, talent shows, dart competitions, shuffleboard tournaments, card games, and elections for many years, including the historic referendum of November 1974 that led to the incorporation of Sanibel. Early City Council meetings were often held there before City Hall was completed in 1983. Sanibel teacher Cordie Nutt organized the Sanibel Civic Club, which evolved into the Sanibel Community Association in 1928 to enrich community spirit through educational, cultural, and social gatherings.