The brick-lined streets of downtown Fort Myers whisper stories that span more than a century. Every step through the River District reveals layers of history—from military outposts to industrial pioneers to a vibrant cultural renaissance.
And understanding your community's past changes how you experience the present. The district offers newcomers like you a fascinating experience through Southwest Florida's most compelling chapter.
Fort Myers began as a military necessity.
During the 1850s Seminole Wars, the U.S. Army built a strategic outpost along the Caloosahatchee River to protect settlers from conflict. They named it after Colonel Abraham C. Myers, an Army quartermaster who served during the campaigns.
The Army chose this location for good reason: high ground overlooking the river with clear sightlines in every direction. When the Civil War ended and the military abandoned the post, hardy pioneers remained and transformed the area into a bustling cattle town.
Cowboys drove their herds down the same wide streets where you'll discover art galleries and restaurants today.
The Southwest Florida Historical Society preserves documents and photographs from these frontier days, helping you connect with the soldiers who once patrolled these grounds and the cattle barons who built their empires here.
Two of America's greatest innovators chose Fort Myers as their winter home, and their story shows why visionary people have always been drawn here.
In 1885, Thomas Edison visited Fort Myers and immediately fell in love with the area. He built Seminole Lodge along the Caloosahatchee River and spent over 40 winters conducting research and entertaining fellow innovators.
Edison's arrival changed Fort Myers from a cattle town of 349 residents into a destination for the wealthy and influential. His friend Henry Ford saw the same appeal and bought the property next door in 1916, building his winter home, "The Mangoes."
Their partnership went beyond friendship to real scientific work. With Harvey Firestone, they created the Edison Botanic Research Corporation in Fort Myers, testing over 17,000 plants to find a domestic rubber source. Today, the Edison and Ford Winter Estates preserve their legacy across 20 acres just minutes from downtown. Fort Myers has always attracted people who choose to pursue their passions here.
The same qualities that drew Edison and Ford to the Caloosahatchee River continue to attract discerning residents today. At Gulf Harbour, we create spaces where innovation, excellence, and waterfront living converge.
Walking downtown Fort Myers reveals a community that has always attracted visionary people. The River District's architecture tells the story of residents who built with confidence in their future, creating the welcoming downtown you'll experience today.
The crown jewel is the Burroughs Home & Gardens, a stunning 1901 Georgian Revival mansion on the Caloosahatchee River. Built as Fort Myers' first year-round luxury home, it shows the ambition of early residents. The historic Arcade Building demonstrates how the district evolved, from 1915 vaudeville house to movie theater to today's Florida Repertory Theatre.
These buildings survived because this community values its heritage while embracing change. True Tours offers walking tours that reveal the stories behind the architecture and the people who built it. These buildings are proof that you've chosen a place where people invest in creating something lasting and beautiful.
Fort Myers' River District offers beautiful buildings and interesting stories, but it also represents the spirit of people who've always chosen to build something meaningful.
The brick streets beneath your feet connect you to generations of dreamers and builders who saw potential where others saw possibility. Every historical marker and architectural detail reminds you that you're joining a legacy of people who refused to settle for ordinary.
Whether you're exploring on foot or simply enjoying a quiet moment by the river, you're discovering the foundation of your new community.
Fort Myers has always been home to those who appreciate both tradition and innovation, and at Gulf Harbour, we honor that legacy while embracing the future of Southwest Florida living.
History is something that continues to unfold here in Fort Meyers.