Fort Myers

Fort Myers sits along the Caloosahatchee River in Southwest Florida, housing around 86,000 residents in neighborhoods with palm-lined streets and waterfront properties. The city spreads from the riverbanks to suburban areas where residential zones blend with tropical gardens and canals.

The settlement was founded in 1886 by Manuel A. Gonzalez on the site of a military post from the Seminole Wars named after Colonel Abraham Myers. The arrival of the railroad in the 1890s transformed the former fort into a popular winter destination for North American industrialists.

Visitors walk through the winter residences of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, where laboratories and workshops display early inventions like light bulbs and phonographs. The two estates sit side by side along the river, showing how wealthy industrialists spent their winter months in Florida.

The city connects to regional rail lines through the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and has an airport nearby, while JetBlue Park stadium hosts spring baseball training sessions. Most visitor attractions cluster around the downtown riverfront and the neighboring historic districts.

Royal palms have been planted along Riverside Avenue since 1898, earning the city its nickname as the City of Palms. The palm-lined avenue extends for miles from downtown into surrounding neighborhoods, giving many streets their tropical appearance.

Location: Lee County

Inception: 1886

Founders: Manuel A. Gonzalez

Elevation above the sea: 3 m

Part of: Southwest Florida

Website: https://cityftmyers.com

GPS coordinates: 26.61667,-81.83333

Latest update: December 3, 2025 08:40