u/BlueSkyOne_01

Originally built in Bonita Springs, in the 1930s, the first Shell Factory burned down in 1953 and was rebuilt on U.S. 41, in North Fort Myers.

Street scenes from downtown Fort Myers.

Source: State Archives

4 photos (swipe left)

1. Railroad Depot - c. Early 1900s
   2 Downtown Fort Myers - c. 1950s

3. Downtown Fort Myers - c. 1950s

Source: State Archives

> Fort Myers Yacht and Country Club
> The Fort Myers Steam Laundry Building
> School House

First photo is Mr. Edison with his new car presented from his neighbor Henry Ford. Second photo is Edison’s home.

Both are early 1900s

2 photos included and are not AI or AI enhanced.
Source: State of Florida archives.

Have a great weekend!

The Tamiami Trail Blazers, who scouted out the path of what became Tamiami Trail/US 41.

Not AI or AI Enhanced (source: State Archives)
c. early 1900s

3 photos shown (scroll to the right)

Lesson Learned: I will not use photos off FB unless they can be verified to the original, even from a history page, these photos below are from the Archives in Tallahassee. THEY ARE NOT AI or AI enhanced.

College Parkway near river before development. Pretty crazy to think back to a time when it was farmland.

Sutphin Farms

(Credit: Steven Ray McDonald) Be sure to check out his Facebook page, “Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches”

**Starting Monday a special series I refer to as Fort Myers, The Early Life** Hope you enjoy!

Old Florida Stone Mansion
Historic River District
(credit: Joanne Iwinski Miller)

Edge Park Motel
2563 Cleveland Avenue

Hill House Hotel - originally built as a boarding house in 1889 by Mary F. Hill. In 1918 the property was renamed the Franklin Arms after being purchased by W.P. Franklin. In 1924 seven story addition was added which became known as the city’s first skyscraper. Hope you enjoy :) TGIF!

This one is further south in Estero, I’ve always wondered what this building looked back then, it’s located literally round right off U.S. 41.

Lee County Bank in downtown Fort Myers

Built in 1924 by wealthy furniture manufacturer John Morgan Dean. The Dean Hotel eventually became professional office space and Ford’s Garage restaurant.

Thought these were interesting photos of the interior dating back to 1900. One is Heitman’s grocery store and the other is Hunter drugstore, both in downtown Fort Myers.

McCrory’s Store
Downtown Fort Myers

Methodist Church on First Street in Downtown Fort Myers

Colquitt Building
NW corner of Main Street and Broadway
Downtown Fort Myers

Heitman Building
Downtown Fort Myers

First Street before it was paved. Happy 4th of July!