By Hitty Gale
My home state of Florida is called the Sunshine State because the sun shines almost every day. Fort Myers is called the City of Palms. Royal Palms line many of the streets.
Royal Palm Trees
The Caloosahatchee River and the Gulf of Mexico converge at Fort Myers. Golfing, fishing, boating and beaches along with shopping along the Tamiami Trail and Interstate 75, make Fort Myers a busy place.
The Tamiami Trail opened in 1928 and linked Tampa and Miami by road. It is pronounced "Tammy-Ammy".
The average temperature for the winter months in Fort Myers is between 72 and 82 degrees. We call Northerners who "fly South" for the winter Snowbirds.
Fort Myers was established as a military fort and was named after Col. Abraham C. Myers. During the Civil War, a regiment of Buffalo Soldiers fought during the Battle of Fort Myers in 1865. Native Americans named the African Americans "Buffalo Soldiers" because of their hair. A monument in Centennial Park honors their service.
Fort Myers was greatly influenced by Thomas Edison and his friends Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone. Seminole Lodge and The Mangoes are the winter homes of Edison and Ford and are located in Fort Myers on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River. Both homes have been completely restored and are open for tours.
Centennial Park is located on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River District. The Uncommon Friends Fountain, a volleyball court, picnic shelters, playground, beautiful sculptures, the fishing pier and the yacht basin make the downtown river district a fun place to visit.
Uncommon Friends
Florida Panther
Yacht Basin
C
Fire Dance Sculpture by David Black, Fort Myers, Florida
The Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins make Fort Myers their spring training home. Higher education needs are served by Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida Southwestern State College, Hodges University and others. The Barbara B Mann Cultural Arts Hall brings in big name performers from around the world.
When you visit Fort Myers, prepare to have fun!