City of Fort Myers
HISTORY OF FORT MYERS
The city is the home to attractions such as the Edison and Ford home's, which typify "Old Florida" at it's best. The Lee Island coastline first appeared in the early 1700s in British maps. This area, during the last half of the 1700s, was a base of operations for bands of pirates that raided cargo ships that sailed to and from the port of New Orleans.
In 1821, Florida became a US Territory and settlers asked the Seminoles Indians for protection. Fort Myers was built on the Caloosahatchee River as one of the original bases of operations during the Seminole Indian Wars. The city was named in honor of Colonel Abraham C. Myers, who was the son-in-law of the commander of Fort Brooke located in Tampa.
In 1858 the fort was abandoned, from 1863-1865 it was reoccupied by Federal troops. The southernmost battle of the Civil War, took place across the Calooshatche River in1865.
The fort itself was disassembled in 1876, and some of the wood was used in the construction of some of the first buildings in what would become downtown Fort Myers.
Early industries in the Fort Myers area were logging and cattle farming. Pineapple plantations flourished inland along the river. Neighboring Sanibel Island grew avocados, castor beans and tomatoes.
Fort Myers was the second largest town on Florida's Gulf Coast south of Cedar Key by 1885. Thomas Alva Edison, in the year 1885 cruised down the west coast of Florida and stopped to visit the town.
Edison, captivated by the town, built his home, Seminole Lodge, and laboratory on the banks of the River. He became a strong force in the growth and development of the city.
Today Fort Myers is the spring training home for the Boston Red Sox, and the Minnesota Twins baseball teams. It is also known for it's golfing, fishing, boating, beaches, cultural activities, dining and nightlife, and activities for all ages!
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