Fort Myers

Understand

History

According to a handbook authored by Francis Asbury Hendry who lived from 1833–1917, Fort Myers first appears in about 1841 when it was first manned as Fort Harvey. The military fort was abandoned in 1842 then re-established in 1850 and named in honor of a U.S. Army officer named Abraham C. Myers, a Colonel. The fort was a center for command and control operations during war against the native Indian tribes that lived in Florida until they were defeated and relocated out of the state to regions of western United States. However, some of the Seminole Indian tribe never surrendered and remained in the Florida wilderness. Colonel Myers reportedly resigned his commission and joined the Confederate army when the Civil War started. Under Confederate control, African slaves were transported to the area from Virginia to support cultivation of crops.

During the Civil War, the fort changed hands between forces of the North and South once or twice more. An African-American Infantry of Union soldiers was stationed in Fort Myers during the period of 1863 to 1864. Under the authority of Monroe County, the first school for African-Americans in the area was formed near Fort Myers on the property an emancipated slave by the name of Nelson Tillis in 1885. Although Thomas Edison operated telegraph services for the northern side of the Civil War, in 1886, Edison purchased a winter home in Fort Myers after marrying his second wife earlier that year (National Park Service, 2012). In 1890, the first female African-American school teacher (Annie Moore) was hired to teach in the area (Lee County Black History Society, 2011).

A county entitled Lee County, named so in honor of the southern commanding General, Robert E. Lee was established in 1887. By about 1908, the population of Fort Myers was approximately five to six thousand (Captain F.A. Hendry Reunion Committee, 2002). In 1912 the first local Black population only public school was established in Lee County (Williams Academy). Henry Ford bought the home and land next door to Thomas Edison in 1916. In 1920 the Jones-Walker Hospital was opened for the Black population only. Bunche Beach was dedicated as the first local beach intended for the Black population only in 1949. In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled to end segregation in public schools. However, this decision was not implemented by integrating local Lee County schools until 1969. The Williams Academy was relocated to Clemente Park located in the Dunbar section of Fort Myers in 1995 and is the primary center for African-American history in Lee County. The museum and administrative offices are established at 1936 Henderson Avenue (Lee County Black History Society, 2011). The 2010 total census population of the city of Fort Myers was 62,298 (United States Census Bureau, 2010). This population figure does not include seasonal residents or residents of Lee County outside of the city limits.

Climate

The climate of Fort Myers is tropical.

Peak hurricane season is August through October, with hurricanes possible as early as June and as late as the end of November. Fort Myers has significant experience with hurricanes, as a damaging event happens every few years. In August 2004, Fort Myers was sideswiped by Hurricane Charley, a category 4 hurricane that made landfall north of the area. In October 2005, Hurricane Wilma struck south of Naples, but caused extensive damage nonetheless in Fort Myers and its southern suburbs. In October 2018, there was Hurricane Michael. In September 2022, Hurricane Ian destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses, especially in Fort Myers Beach. Travelers should be prepared to leave early and as soon as evacuations are planned.

Visitor information

Get in

By plane

• Concourse B: Air Canada, Alaska, Avelo, Discover, Frontier, Southwest, Sun Country
• Concourse C: Delta/Delta Connection, United, WestJet
• Concourse D: American, JetBlue, Spirit, Breeze Airways

Onsite car rental is located in a separate Car Rental Building across the street from the baggage reclaim doors (lower level). It is accessible by crossing the street from outside Doors 3 (Delta Airlines) or 4 at lower level. Bus stop for LeeTran Rt#50 (Airport to Sanibel Outlets) is located outside Door #2 (WestJet), on the island, across the road. Click here or inquire with the 'Transportation Information' booth outside of Door #3 at arrival for additional info regarding other shuttle/taxi (ground transport) services, hotel shuttles, off site rental car companies, and their pick up locations.

Miami International Airport (MIA) and Ft Lauderdale (FLL) are the next nearest airports for a wider range of domestic and international flights. From Miami International Airport, Greyhound offer direct bus service to downtown Ft Myers (5 hr) (see below under 'By bus') or rent a car and drive over along I-75 or US Hwy 41.

By bus

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By ferry

By train

Get around

• The tropical climate is perfect for bicycling, and Fort Myers is a very bicycle friendly city. But watch out for those occasional pop up showers, especially during the wet season. When cycling, be sure to bring plenty of water, wear light weight, light colored clothing, and wear sunscreen.
• Lee trans is the local bus service and has numerous bus lines criss-crossing the city.
• The Midpoint and Cape Coral Pwky/Colonial Bridge is $2 going from Fort Myers to Cape Coral only. Other direction is non toll. The bridge is generally unavoidable unless you go through downtown Fort Myers and US41 around.

The Sanibel Causeway to Sanibel Island collapsed during the hurricane in 2022.

Stay safe

While Fort Myers is mostly safe, there are a few scattered neighborhoods, especially east and southeast of downtown, where it is wise to use a bit of caution, especially at night. The most reliable method of identifying what portions of the area are least safe is to consult the Lee County Sheriff Department. They provide Web services that graphically depict all of the high crime areas. Visitors will find that opinions not supported by statistics from the Lee County Chamber of Commerce or, Lee County Sheriff Department may not be based in fact. The Lee County Sheriff Department web-site address is: http://www.sheriffleefl.org.

Go next

• Cape Coral, the wealthier town right across the river
• Everglades National Park – the most popular parts of the park are easier to get to from Miami than from Fort Myers, but Shark Valley and the islands near Everglades City are within day-trip distance.
• Naples, to the south