Nestled around a historic downtown core and stretching for miles south along the Caloosahatchee River and eastward, Fort Myers, named for a Civil War-era army colonel, has a long history that parallels that of Florida itself.

Indigenous peoples, the Calusa Indians, inhabited the islands nearby.

"Uncommon Friends" statue, Centennial Park

Later, pioneers settled the pine flatwoods, and cattle drivers escorted their charges down what is now McGregor Boulevard to ships docked at Punta Rassa. Thomas Edison and Henry Ford put the town on the proverbial map when they chose the City of Palms as their winter getaway.

Today, Fort Myers is a bustling metropolis with ecological, historical and cultural attractions,

Bell Tower Shops, Fort Myers

as well as shopping across the spectrum – high-end outlets, antiques, boutiques and outdoor malls. Dining and nightlife entertain when the sun goes down – watch a spectacular “show" as it sinks over the Caloosahatchee.

Last modified on Mar 10, 2009