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Hidden History of Fort Myers
Although best known as the winter home of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, Fort Myers has one of the most engaging and extraordinary histories of any city in Florida.
The spawn of a hurricane, Fort Myers began as a U.S. Army post during Florida's Seminole Wars. During the Civil War, it became a battleground between Confederates and Yankees for cattle and, after the war, a gun-slinging cowboy town. New York cartoonist Walt McDougall blew into the area on a fishing trip, and his glowing description lured down other wealthy Yankee sportsmen who helped turn this isolated frontier town into a modern tourist destination. Historian and author Cynthia Williams explores the hidden stories behind the growth of this beautiful city.
The spawn of a hurricane, Fort Myers began as a U.S. Army post during Florida's Seminole Wars. During the Civil War, it became a battleground between Confederates and Yankees for cattle and, after the war, a gun-slinging cowboy town. New York cartoonist Walt McDougall blew into the area on a fishing trip, and his glowing description lured down other wealthy Yankee sportsmen who helped turn this isolated frontier town into a modern tourist destination. Historian and author Cynthia Williams explores the hidden stories behind the growth of this beautiful city.
147 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 17, 2021
Engaging and Enlightening
As someone who eschews history books, I reluctantly decided to read this since I know the town of Fort Myers. I was pleasantly surprised to find it engaging as well as most enlightening. I’m certain that people living there have no idea about the marvellous stories that happened when the land was swampy and inhabited by Seminoles. It is written in a somewhat folksy, colloquial manner, eg using ‘daddy’ instead of ‘father’,which might be appealing to some, although was my only complaint.
As someone who eschews history books, I reluctantly decided to read this since I know the town of Fort Myers. I was pleasantly surprised to find it engaging as well as most enlightening. I’m certain that people living there have no idea about the marvellous stories that happened when the land was swampy and inhabited by Seminoles. It is written in a somewhat folksy, colloquial manner, eg using ‘daddy’ instead of ‘father’,which might be appealing to some, although was my only complaint.
December 21, 2025
this book was informative and entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews