Your Guide to Buying a Home in Fort Myers, FL

Buying a Home in Fort Myers, Florida

The Burroughs Home is a Georgian Revival Mansion built in 1901

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Fort Myers is located in Lee County

Originally built as a base of operations against the Seminoles in the mid-1800's, Fort Myers was abandoned by the military about twenty years after its construction. Once the War Between the States had ended people from all over South Florida came to Fort Myers in search of scarce building materials. By 1876 enough people had settled in this area that it was officially recognized as a community. Various phases of development began to occur. First, there were pineapple plantations that sprung up along the Caloosahatchee River. The arrival of the Coast Railroad some fifteen years later brought more people to the area and expanded the economy. A power plant, several banks, commercial ice plants and new hotels now stood on the remains of the old fort. Mediterranean Revival construction, much of which still remains today, came with the "building boom" in the early 1900's. As the city began to fill vacant land with commercial and residential development, the older areas of town were preserved.

Fort Myers enjoys its somewhat remote location. Both Orlando and Fort Lauderdale are about 140 miles from here. In fact, the Everglades spill into bordering counties and cover nearly all of southern Florida. This isolation has allowed Fort Myers to maintain much of its original character, both architecturally and culturally. Several local attractions celebrate this heritage, including the Burroughs Home, a Georgian Revival Mansion built in 1901. Also of great interest are the Fort Myers Historical Museum, which features exhibits covering the history of Southwest Florida, and the Edison-Ford Winter Estates, providing year round guided tours through the winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.

Fort Meyers' location on the Caloosahatchee River and close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico provide wonderful year-round activities. Miles of ocean views extend from Naples in the south to Cape Coral. Quick access to US 41 and I-75 allow visitors to explore the surrounding towns and cultures.

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