Fort Myers, FL

Fort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County.  The population is 62,298 with a median income of $40,000 and a median age of 32.  The city is one of two major cities that make up the Cape Coral-Fort Myers Metropolitan Statistical area with a combined population of 618,754. 
Fort Myers was established in 1885.  At that time it was considered the "Gateway to the Southwest" in the Florida region.  Fort Myers was one of the first forts built along the Caloosahatchee River as a base of operations against the Seminole Indians.  Fort Denaud, Fort Thompson and Fort Dulany all preceded Fort Myers.  In Oct. 1841 a hurricane destroyed Fort Dulany and so a new site was sought.  Fort Harvie was built where Fort Myers is now.  In 1850 Fort Harvie became a Military fort against the Seminole Indians.  It was renamed later that year to Fort Myers.  The fort was named for Col. Abraham C Myers who was stationed in Florida for 7 years and was the son in law of the fort's founder and commander.  Chief Billy Bowleg and his warriors surrendered here then moved away from Fort Myers in 1858.  After that the fort was abandoned until the Union troops occupied it in 1863.  On Feb 20, 1865 the fort was attacked by three companies of Confederate companies that demanded the surrender of the Union troops.  The Union troops declined at after nightfall the Confederate troops retreated.  There was one Union soldier killed and three wounded in the "Battle of Fort Myers".  The first settlers came to the area in 1866 but the real growth to the area wasn't until 1882 when the population really grew.  Fort Myers was incorporated in 1885 and at that time it was the second largest city, after Tampa, on the west coast of Flordia.  Fort Myers became a nationally known winter resort with the building of the Royal Palm Hotel in 1898 and it 1914 grew even more in popularity during the winter because it was easier to get to when the Atlantic Coastline Railroad came to Fort Myers. 
Fort Myers is the Spring training camp of the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins.  Fort Myers is also known as the "City of Palms" because in the late 1880s Tootie McGregor and Thomas and Mina Edison began the beautification of Fort Myers.  Imported Royal Palms were planted along Riverside Drive, which later was renamed to McGregor Blvd.  Some of the Royal Palms are over 75 ft tall.  McGregor Blvd is considered one of the most beautiful streets in America.  I have to agree, it is beautiful driving down McGregor with the Royal Palms lining the street.
We enjoyed our time here in Fort Myers and stayed busy with something to do everyday.  It is a great town with great beaches and lots of things to do.  We will return here someday to enjoy it again.  Today is a travel day.  We are headed back to Wauchula for three days then we go to Orlando for two weeks.  There is still one more place to visit near Wauchula but I will share that with you another day!  Check back and see!