Section 2.3: From Inventors to Island Pioneers

Exterior of the Edison Estate in Fort Myers, part of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates.

Transportation magnates opened Florida to the rest of the country and the world, and something similar happened in Fort Myers when Henry Ford came to town. On the advice of his friend Thomas Edison, who already had a home there, “Seminole Lodge,” Henry Ford bought and renovated the home next door, “The Mangoes.” Not only did the two friends spend winters together, but they were instrumental in getting U.S. 41—the Tamiami Trail—constructed and were among the first to make the first drive across the Everglades to Miami. Today, the Edison and Ford Winter Estates operate as museums, featuring vintage Ford automobiles, Edison’s actual laboratory, the two homes and botanical gardens.

Fun Fact with Marina the Manatee!
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Recommend clients take a detour off the mainland to offshore Sanibel Island, where they’ll find the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village, featuring nine historic buildings that have been restored to their original state. There’s also a replica of a Packing House and a garage housing a 1927 Ford Model T truck. 

Shell-strewn shoreline on Sanibel Island — a destination rich in natural beauty and local history. Photo courtesy of VISIT FLORIDA.

Can’t get enough of railroads? Just north of Fort Myers, the historic Punta Gorda Train Station was built in 1928 by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and today is owned by the Punta Gorda Historical Society, with onsite exhibits and an antique mall recalling the past. In fact, Punta Gorda remains one of those Old Florida towns that is easy to navigate on foot. Today, the Punta Gorda National Register District covers 22 city blocks, with structures including Queen Anne-style wood frame buildings and the Neo-Classical Revival Punta Gorda City Hall. 

Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda — a modern-day hub in one of Florida’s most walkable historic towns.