Ft. Myers Real Estate
Ft. Myers, Florida
Ft. Myers, Florida is located at the beginning of the southwest region of Florida, in Lee County. Southwestern Florida is the primary destination of tourists from all over the world. People move to Ft. Myers for many different reasons: older people retiring, younger people just beginning their own family or businesspeople starting their own companies. Ft. Myers real estate is a welcome opportunity for everyone. The weather is rarely cold and the warmest parts of the summer may be balmy but they are bearable. This beautiful weather allows Ft. Myers residents to enjoy the wonder of nature in all its elements, from the Caloosahatchee River to the Atlantic Ocean. This all helps to create a desire for Ft. Myers real estate.
~ Ft. Myers History
Ft. Myers was originally constructed in the early 1800s for protection and as a base of operations for the American troops during the Seminole Indian War. After the fort's abandonment in 1858, Federal soldiers reoccupied it (1863-1865). After its second abandonment, the fort was torn down and a new city was created, using some of the fort's wood to create some of the first Ft. Myers real estate, in 1876. Logging, cattle and farming were the basis for the Ft. Myers economy in the early years.
Thomas Edison was so captivated by the Ft. Myers community that he decided to build a home and a laboratory (Seminole Lodge) along the Caloosatchee RiverCaloosahatchee Edison brought with him his amazing inventions and fantastic brain to help the growth of the Ft. Myers area and became the city's most famous resident. In fact, his life and achievements are celebrated in Ft. Myers every year with the annual Edison Festival of Light for two weeks in February.
Eventually, Edison convinced his good friend Henry Ford to purchase Ft. Myers property next to his own and was a frequent visitor during the winter months until Edison's death.
Ft. Myers was a popular winter destination for residents in the northern part of the United States for many years during the turn of the century, causing a construction boom from 1898 to the 1920s. Many people swarmed to the Ft. Myers area to build their fortune in the dirt by building and developing the much sought after land. The Tamiami Trail (US 41) encouraged the boom of the 1920s because it opened up the travelway to Miami and Tampa from Ft. Myers.
After the Great Depression of the 1930s, the 1940s brought air bases and servicemen to the Ft. Myers area, causing a welcome boom to the Ft. Myers real estate market and economy again.
Thanks to residential and commercial growth in the area as well as the undying tourism industry, Ft. Myers has survived the decades and remains a charming city worth visiting or calling home.
~ Ft. Myers Education
The educational needs of the residents of Ft. Myers are serviced by the School District of Lee County. This is a huge district. The Ft. Myers schools in the School District of Lee County are comprised of 24 elementary schools, 18 middle schools, 16 high schools and 9 charter schools. There are also 17 private schools in the Ft. Myers area.
For higher education in Ft. Myers, there are four different choices: Edison College (a community college), Florida Gulf Coast University (a public, four year college), the Ft. Myers campus of the International College of Florida (offering continuing education, English as a second language, four year degree programs and classes for senior citizens) and Southwest Florida College (a private college offering Associate of Science degrees and several Bachelor degree programs).
~ Fun Things to See and Do in Ft. Myers
With the beautiful Ft. Myers temperatures, there are many outdoor and indoor activities that are available to its citizens as well as visitors to the fair town of Ft. Myers. There are many beaches to visit, fishing and boating along the Gulf Coast, Caloosahatchee River and Lake Okeechobee, over 130 golf courses throughout Southern Florida (with over 50 of them in the city of Ft. Myers alone). For indoor enthusiasts, Ft. Myers has great dining, nightlife and shopping as well. For a bit of history, the Ford and Edison Winter Estates and the Southwest Florida Museum of History are great places to explore. The Imaginarium is a "hands-on" museum for children of all ages to enjoy.
13640 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy 3045 Estero Blvd.Fort
Fort Myers
FL
33901
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