Fort Myers Southwest Coast of Florida

Information for Florida Vacations in Fort Myers

Located on the Gulf Coast of South Florida on the scenic shoreline of the Caloosahatchee River, Fort Myers has many vacation rental homes and condos near the historic winter residences of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. while on a winter vacation to the city, Edison was captivated by its beauty and built his winter home and laboratory, Seminole Lodge, on the banks of the river. He later convinced Ford, the founder of Ford Motors, to build his winter home adjacent to Edison's.

Accommodations

Fort Myers offers a relaxing, historical getaway with a variety of condos, vacation homes, hotels, and resorts. Choose an accommodation near any of Fort Myers's local attractions that offers comfort while making the most of the beautiful beaches at affordably priced rates.

Activities

Visit the nation's 9th most visited historic home, the winter estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. There are guided tour of the homes, museum, laboratory and gardens. The Fort Myers Historical Museum in the former Atlantic Coastline Railroad depot contains information on early settlers of Southwest Florida including the Calusa, Paleo and Seminole Indians and an extensive artifacts collection. The Imaginarium Hands-On Museum is an ideal location to take the kids, with exhibits that allow children to learn about the environment, weather, and physics, plus attractions that include animals, aquariums displaying marine life, a touch pool, hurricane simulator, puppet theatre and interactive areas for preschoolers. Fort Myers is also the Spring Training home of the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins, as well as Florida State League baseball.

Events

In the American Sand Sculpting Championship Festival, both professional and amateur sand sculptors compete. The contest is typically held in early November on the soft sands of Fort Myers Beach. The Edison Festival of lights takes place in late January, featuring the popular Grand Parade, the 50th Science and Inventors Fair, headline concerts, artisans, car shows, the Junior Parade and Coronation, and fireworks. The Shrimp Festival in March draws thousands to the Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet, and the North Fort Myers Cracker Festival is in February.

Water Sports

The Gulf Coast beaches of Fort Myers and Cape Coral are perfect for swimming, surfing, or catching up on your tan. You can also find powerboat and sailboat rentals, as well as jetski rentals. The warm Gulf of Mexico waters are inviting for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Golfing

Fort Myers has two municipal courses, one that offers a beautiful, tranquil setting and the other a Donald Ross traditional design that challenges the games best golfers. With over 50 golf courses in the Fort Myers area, the region has earned a reputation of having some of the most sought after golf courses in the world.

History

Fort Myers was named in honor of Colonel Abraham C. Myers during the Seminole Indian War, one of the first forts built when Florida became a US Territory in 1821, and the ensuing wave of settlers asked for protection from the native Seminoles. Although the fort was abandoned in 1858, during the Civil War it was reoccupied by Federal troops from 1863-1865. This was the site of the southernmost battle of the Civil War, a skirmish between Northern and Southern troops on Feb. 20, 1865 which is reenacted annually at the North Fort Myers Cracker Festival.

The Calusa Indians are the most famous of the Native Americans who called this area home, living on the nearby islands of Sanibel and Captiva, and built large kitchen middens to cook the seafood they caught. These same mounds would later be used as high ground for the homes that the early pioneer families built. The first tourist to visit the Fort Myers area was Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon in 1513 and was later mortally wounded in these same waters by a Calusa Indian arrow.

Fort Myers was named in honor of Colonel Abraham C. Myers during the Seminole Indian War, one of the first forts built when Florida became a US Territory in 1821, and the ensuing wave of settlers asked for protection from the native Seminoles. Although the fort was abandoned in 1858, during the Civil War it was reoccupied by Federal troops from 1863-1865. This was the site of the southernmost battle of the Civil War, a skirmish between Northern and Southern troops on Feb. 20, 1865 which is reenacted annually at the North Fort Myers Cracker Festival.

Herds of cattle were driven past the fort grounds to Punta Rassa, where they were lifted onto schooners and steamers and shipped to Cuba. Cattle, farming, and logging were early mainstays in the Fort Myers area. Sanibel Island grew Tomatoes, avocados, and castor beans and many pineapple plantations flourished inland along the river.

In 1885, Thomas Edison was visiting the area and was captivated with what he saw. Edison built a winter home and laboratory, Seminole Lodge, on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River. Edison then convinced his friend Henry Ford to build a winter home adjacent to his. Edison became Fort Myers' most famous resident and a strong force in its growth and development, and imported 200 Royal Palm trees from Cuba, giving the city the nickname of "The City of Palms."

The growth of the community was greatly spurred in 1904 with the arrival of the Coast Railroad, with its terminus at a dock on Monroe Street. Construction also began on the Bradford Hotel which still stands on First Street. One of Edison's new power plants, several banks, commercial ice plants and new hotels were built at this time. After World War II, many of the pilots who trained in the Fort Myers area returned to make their homes.