Situated on the eastern flank of the Caloosahatchee River on Florida's Southwest coast, Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is the gateway to the major tourist attractions of south Florida. Fort Myers Florida, the county seat of Lee County, is a half-hour drive from RSW along Highway 93. Opened in May of 1983, the airport's attractive exterior looks more like a shopping mall than it does a transport hub. In 2014, the airport served nearly 8 million passengers. Operating international flights to Germany and Canada, the airport services a large number of domestic airports, making it possible to fly to many other countries.
What few people know about the area is that it formed the winter vacation bases of operations of two of America's best known creative spirits: Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. Their two estates, The Mangoes (Ford) and Seminole Lodge (Edison) are right next to each other on the shores of the Callosahatchee River. Together, they encompass an historical museum situated on more than 20 acres of botanical gardens.
While every schoolchild in America is taught that Thomas Edison (1847 to 1931) invented the light bulb, his role in developing a safe and cost-effective solution to the distribution of power and light was a major contribution to life as we know it. This was known as the Brockton Operation. Edison was a highly productive inventor, accruing an amazing 1,093 patents in his glorious career.
It was 1885 when Edison and his friend, Ezra Gilliland, agreed to a joint venture to develop a parcel of land in a little village in the area. They fell in love with the place for its tranquillity, isolation from hectic cattle trails and the fact that the people walked around as if they were in a dream world.
Henry Ford transformed the world by providing an environment for the development of the motor car when he founded the Ford Motor Company. He also provided financial backing and the inspiration for the assembly line technique for the mass production of automobiles. His manufacturing techniques have been adapted for many other products other than cars.
In the early 20th century, these two geniuses happened to meet. Within a few years, they were taking their families on joint camping trips. In 1916, Ford purchased the parcel of land that was adjacent to Seminole Lodge, the Edison family's winter bolt hole. When Edison died in 1931, Ford sold Mangoes and never returned to Fort Myers.
The Mangoes is sitting on a parcel of land, purchased by Henry Ford, adjacent to Seminole Lodge. It is a craftsman-style bungalow built in 1911 by Robert Smith of New York. It was opened to the public in 1990.
The climate in Fort Myers is officially recognized as tropical savannah. It enjoys brief, warm winters and hot, humid summers. Thunderstorms are frequent. The biggest annual event in Fort Myers is the Edison Festival of Light, which lasts for two weeks and includes a Coronation Ball and a parade, among other festivities. The Fort Myers area is a great place to enjoy some challenging golf in tranquil, Audobon-sanctioned surroundings. There are courses and plans to suit every budget.
It is fascinating to think of the conversation these two geniuses may have had while their kids were making mischief in the background. The joint exhibits of Seminole Lodge and the Mangoes offer a glimpse into the contrasting ordinary family lives of two men who shaped history on a global scale.
What few people know about the area is that it formed the winter vacation bases of operations of two of America's best known creative spirits: Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. Their two estates, The Mangoes (Ford) and Seminole Lodge (Edison) are right next to each other on the shores of the Callosahatchee River. Together, they encompass an historical museum situated on more than 20 acres of botanical gardens.
While every schoolchild in America is taught that Thomas Edison (1847 to 1931) invented the light bulb, his role in developing a safe and cost-effective solution to the distribution of power and light was a major contribution to life as we know it. This was known as the Brockton Operation. Edison was a highly productive inventor, accruing an amazing 1,093 patents in his glorious career.
It was 1885 when Edison and his friend, Ezra Gilliland, agreed to a joint venture to develop a parcel of land in a little village in the area. They fell in love with the place for its tranquillity, isolation from hectic cattle trails and the fact that the people walked around as if they were in a dream world.
Henry Ford transformed the world by providing an environment for the development of the motor car when he founded the Ford Motor Company. He also provided financial backing and the inspiration for the assembly line technique for the mass production of automobiles. His manufacturing techniques have been adapted for many other products other than cars.
In the early 20th century, these two geniuses happened to meet. Within a few years, they were taking their families on joint camping trips. In 1916, Ford purchased the parcel of land that was adjacent to Seminole Lodge, the Edison family's winter bolt hole. When Edison died in 1931, Ford sold Mangoes and never returned to Fort Myers.
The Mangoes is sitting on a parcel of land, purchased by Henry Ford, adjacent to Seminole Lodge. It is a craftsman-style bungalow built in 1911 by Robert Smith of New York. It was opened to the public in 1990.
The climate in Fort Myers is officially recognized as tropical savannah. It enjoys brief, warm winters and hot, humid summers. Thunderstorms are frequent. The biggest annual event in Fort Myers is the Edison Festival of Light, which lasts for two weeks and includes a Coronation Ball and a parade, among other festivities. The Fort Myers area is a great place to enjoy some challenging golf in tranquil, Audobon-sanctioned surroundings. There are courses and plans to suit every budget.
It is fascinating to think of the conversation these two geniuses may have had while their kids were making mischief in the background. The joint exhibits of Seminole Lodge and the Mangoes offer a glimpse into the contrasting ordinary family lives of two men who shaped history on a global scale.
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If you're looking for homes in Fort Myers for sale, check out Marina Bay. It is one of the most sought after communities in Florida.
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