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Fort Myers History

During the 1700’s, pirate ships and galleons navigated the waters of the Gulf Coast. However, the earliest Spanish explorers were latecomers to the area. Even the Calusa Indians are now not considered the first inhabitants of the Southwest Florida area. Archaeological artifacts unearthed during excavations in the mid-90’s suggest that other Native American tribes lived here for thousands of years.

The Calusa Indians, however, are the most famous of the Native Americans who called this area home. Using shell and earth, the Calusa’s built expansive mounds, large kitchen middens, to cook the seafood they caught from the gulf. These same mounds would later be used as high ground for homes of the early pioneer families.

In the 1700’s; there are other stories that suggest that our area had a more colorful past. There was an era of schemers, scoundrels and other unsavory characters, who were engaged in fishing, trade and some not so legitimate activities. The bayous and estuaries of Fort Myers was a favorite hideout for the likes of Calico Jack, Jean La Fitte, Bru Baker and Black Caesar to name a few.

Although his authenticity is questioned by the historians, Caspar, one of the more celebrated pirates of the day, maintained his headquarters on Gasparilla Island, which is now Boca Grande. Besides being a pirate, he liked to capture the loveliest and wealthiest of ladies and (whiskey) from the passing ships to detain them on Captiva Island until ransom arrived. Not only were these areas a place of rest and retreat, but a great venue to prey upon the gold laden ships of Spain that cruised by on the return trips from Europe.

In 1885, nearly 400 years after the discovery of Florida, a man named Thomas A. Edison vacationed in Fort Myers to improve his health. He enjoyed the tropical, peaceful surroundings so much that he purchased real estate, and like thousands of others who have come after him, decided to make this his winter home. The following year he returned and built one of the nation’s first prefabricated homes and the first known modern swimming pool in the US.

A prolific inventor with over 1000 patents to this credit, Edison was a pioneer in the early days of modern technology as well as the growth of Fort Myers. His invention of the light bulb, phonograph, stock ticker tape machine and movie projector are well known to all. As a self-styled botanist and a lover or exotic plants, trees and gardens, he was responsible for importing 200 royal palms from Cuba that line both sides of McGregor Boulevard, later resulting in the designation of Fort Myers as the City of Palms. Of equal importance to his inventions and his love for plants, Edison brought a sense of civility to the area.

And so it went for the winter resident who encouraged his good friend, Henry Ford, to purchase the home next door in 1916. They shared their local friends and well-known guests, including Harvey Firestone and John Burroughs, the naturalist. In hindsight, it seems logical that Edison, Ford and Firestone would come up with a scheme and this is exactly what happened. In his laboratory in Fort Myers, Edison conducted research on plants to produce an inexpensive rubber for Harvey Firestone, who then manufactured and sold tires to Henry Ford, who mass produced automobiles and became the world’s first billionaire. Edison came to Fort Myers in the winter for 46 years until his death in 1931.

Following the turn of the century, the construction of railroads brought a sense of glamour and graciousness to the Gulf Coast. Private country clubs were built and posh resorts sprung up overnight for affluent winter residents. Sarasota’s De Soto Hotel, Punta Gorda Hotel, Gasparilly Inn, Fort Myers’ Royal Palm Hotel, Useppa Inn, Naples Hotel and Marco Inn are but a few of the more glamorous spots frequented by movie stars and prominent personalities such as Shirley Temple, Gloria Swanson, Hedy Lamarr, Mae West, Greta Garbo, Charles Lindbergh and Gary Cooper. It was time of romance and a period of adventure and power.

The influence of Edison, Ford and Firestone as well as the fortunes of the DuPonts, Mellons and Vanderbilt's accelerated the development of the Gulf Coast.

The Trail and the railroad connected Fort Myers, Bonita Springs and Naples to the rest of the state and the country, bringing more people who would slowly change the look but not the welcoming personality of this area.

Just as The Trail and the railroad ushered in a new era for the Gulf Coast, there have been modern day accomplishments that have resulted in contributions to the life and style of the area; the completion of I-75 from Tampa to Miami, the construction of the Southwest Florida International Airport, and the opening of the new Florida Gulf Coast University. With some care and a new concern for the environment, the future will be every bit as exciting and dynamic for us and those who follow.

 

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