Thomas Edison bought a piece of property from Samuel Summerlin (Jake’s son), when he arrived in Fort Myers in 1885 for $2,750. Jake Summerlin, referred to as the “king of the cattlemen,” had the causeway built that connected the mainland to the island of Punta Rassa in 1868, and it became a thriving shipping center. Captain Francis became known as “The Father of Fort Myers” and visited in 18, describing the area as a tropical paradise with beautiful buildings surrounded by shell-lined paths where people could enjoy the fresh air. Some of the most well-known cattlemen were Captain Francis Ashbury Hendry, his brother William, cousin Charley, and brother- in-law John Jeu Blount. Once at Punta Rassa, they were shipped aboard schooners to booming markets in Key West and Cuba. Cattle ranchers drove steers from inland towns, such as Kissimmee, Bartow, Fort Meade, and Arcadia to the coast.
Throughout those decades, the cattle industry dominated the local economy – a town with only 349 residents. While Manuel was in the area, he left a lasting legacy, including the two houses that today are known as The Veranda restaurant. Later, the family moved a couple miles south to an area that is now known as Manuels Branch, located on historic McGregor Boulevard. When the Gonzalez family arrived, they chose the site of the current Sidney Berne Davis Art Center (SBDAC) as their home. and his father secured materials to rebuild the town.Ī couple of decades later, in 1887, after Edison purchased property in Fort Myers, Joseph Vivas built a pier on the property to load and store materials for the homes that were shipped to Fort Myers by boat. Many buildings had been damaged during the war, so Manuel S. Gonzalez, his brother- in-law, John Weatherford, and family friend, Joseph Vivas to Fort Myers in 1866 when his imagination was caught by the abandoned fort. Gonzalez brought his young son, Manuel S. During the war years, he ran a mail boat between Key West and Tampa and the fort in Fort Myers caught his attention. Born in Spain in 1832, Gonzalez immigrated to Cuba, then moved to Key West, where he became a citizen in 1859. Gonzalez was Fort Myers’ official post-fort settler in 1866. The meals were so popular that the men drew lots for the privilege of eating with the Hancocks.Īfter the war ended, Manuel A. Though provisions were limited, she served meals every day to as many officers that could fit at the table. Hancock’s wife, Almira and their young son traveled with him and took residence at the fort.
In 1856, the town gained one of its most famous residents, Winfield Scott Hancock, who served as the garrison quartermaster in charge of supplying the troops at the fort during the Third Seminole War. After the Seminole Wars, the fort sat idle and was recommissioned for Federal soldiers during the Civil War. It had 57 buildings, including officer quarters, barracks, warehouses, a guard house, bakery, blacksmith, laundry room, stables, gardener’s house, commissary, hospital, and even a bowling alley that were all built with heavy yellow pine timbers. A fort with a wharf to unload building materials from schooners and steamers was constructed.
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Once the town was established, a series of major developments took place that would transform it into a flourishing city. General Twiggs named this location Fort Myers after the gallant officer that his daughter Marion fell in love with, Abraham C. His troops set up a camp and marked it with an American flag on Wednesday, February 20, 1850. He saw the Harvie area as the most promising with its high, dry ground, towering palms and pines, and a little creek with pure water. Twigs sent Major Ridgely to investigate a new site for a fort.
On October 19, 1841, a major hurricane hit Fort Harvie and Fort Dulaney on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River. By Alexandria Edwards, Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator
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