Ft. Myers Overview

Nicknamed the “City of Palms”, Fort Myers is a coastal paradise that attracts those looking to relax on the beach, fish on the deep sea, or island-hop on nearby Captiva and Sanibel islands. It is known as the one-time home of famous inventor Thomas Edison, who moved to the city in the 1880s and planted hundreds of palm trees along McGregor Boulevard where he built his home. Now, over 2,000 royal palm trees line the street, giving the city its appropriate nickname. Fort Myers is spread along the Caloosahatchee River, which provides a central scenic attraction for the city, as well as a place for boat cruises to tour. In addition to exploring the city’s vibrant downtown and historical attractions, many Fort Myers visitors also head west to explore the over 100 outlying islands off the coast. Sanibel and Captiva islands are two of the most popular, but there are many others that also offer spectacular beaches and great ocean scenery.

Ft. Myers History

During the 1700s, the Fort Myers area of Florida was used as a base for pirates who raided ships going into and coming from the port of New Orleans. The first known inhabitant of Fort Myers was Spaniard Manuel Gonzalez, who settled in the area in the 1800s. In 1821, Florida became a U.S. territory, and waves of settlers moved to Fort Myers. It was built up as a fortification against the Seminole Native Americans, and was used as a primary base during the Seminole Indian Wars. From 1863 to 1865, the fort was occupied by Union troops during the Civil War, and the southernmost battle of the war was fought in the area. Fort Myers was officially incorporated as a Florida city in 1885 and slowly became a popular winter resort destination, attracting such famous residents as Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, both of whom built winter estates in Fort Myers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.