Fort Myers in Lee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Edison’s “Florida Paradise”

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, October 10, 2015

1. Edison’s “Florida Paradise” Marker

Inscription. Famous inventor and businessman Thomas Edison visited Forty Myers in early 1885. He planned to find a warm retreat to escape the cold winters of his home base in West Orange, New Jersey. Along with friends, he made his way to Fort Myers from the cooler climate of Jacksonville.

Real estate agency Huelsenkamp & Cranford helped Edison find a 14 acre property along the Caloosahatchee River, in the countryside one mile south of the city of Fort Myers. Through the grounds were mostly scrub and wild vegetation, the plants included Giant Green Bamboo, a natural fiber Edison was experimenting with as a filament for the incandescent light bulb.

After buying the property from cattleman Samuel Summerlin for $2,750, Edison made plans by creating a notebook that included a sketch illustrating his ideal winter retreat. His sketch included not only the homes, but also a laboratory, maintenance shop, and gardens for exotic and edible plants.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 26° 38.067′ N, 81° 52.804′ W. Marker is in Fort Myers, Florida, in Lee County. Marker can be reached from McGregor Boulevard south of Larchmont Avenue, on the right when traveling south. The marker is inside the Edison Estate.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2350 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers FL 33901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Edison Estate Restoration and Rebirth (here, next to this marker); Orchid Lane and Friendship Walk (here, next to this marker); Clara Ford’s Michigan Rose Garden (here, next to this marker); Inside the Ford Home (here, next to this marker); Henry Ford (here, next to this marker); Henry Ford's Florida Estate (here, next to this marker); Edison Caretaker’s House (here, next to this marker); Edison Caretaker's Yard (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Myers.

Also see . . . Edison & Ford Winter Estates. (Submitted on October 26, 2015.)

Edison’s early sketch of his Florida winter retreat. (1885) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, October 10, 2015

2. Edison’s early sketch of his Florida winter retreat. (1885)

Edison’s father, Samuel, planting a tree on the property in 1891. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, October 10, 2015

3. Edison’s father, Samuel, planting a tree on the property in 1891.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2017. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2015, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 323 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 23, 2015, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.