Fort Myers in Lee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Thomas Alva Edison
February 11, 1847 – October 18, 1931
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 10, 2015
1. Thomas Alva Edison Marker
During his remarkable career, Edison was awarded 1,093 United States patents and is the only person granted a patent every year for 65 consecutive years. His purpose for invention was to “transform middle class life.” He discovered an astounding number of commercial applications for ordinary materials and agricultural products. Although his favorite invention was the phonograph, his work spanned improvements to the telegraph, light bulb, generator and motors, movie-making, batteries, cement, and a domestic source of rubber, one of his primary research focuses in southwest Florida.
From his first visit in 1885 to his last stay in Fort Myers in 1931, Edison created a remarkable estate that included areas for his research, as well as family and social actives. His love of Florida included pastimes like fishing, boating, reading, trip to town, and exploring the tropical paradise that Edison affectionately referred to as his “Eden”.
Edison's famous quote, “there is only one Fort Myers and soon 90 million Americans will discover it” has
this page online
This statue of Thomas Edison was donated by Estates patron Darilyn Alderman and created by sculptor D.J. Wilkins in 2004.i
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.
Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 26° 38.024′ N, 81° 52.782′ W. Marker was in Fort Myers, Florida, in Lee County. It could be reached from McGregor Boulevard south of Larchmont Avenue, on the left when traveling south. The marker is standing next to a tree near the Edison Museum & Ticket Office. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 2350 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers FL 33901, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It was also in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Edison Heritage Garden (here, next to this marker); Edison & Ford Winter Estates (within shouting distance of this marker); Meet Two of the Most Influential Men of the 20th Century (within shouting distance of this marker); Edison’s Bayon Tree
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 10, 2015
2. Thomas Alva Edison Statue
Other markers no longer nearby. Mina Miller Edison (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis) (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. This marker has been permanently removed.
Also see . . . Edison & Ford Winter Estates. (Submitted on October 23, 2015.)
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 10, 2015
3. Edison at the Botanic Research Lab in Fort Myers
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 10, 2015
4. Thomas and Mina Edison
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 10, 2015
5. Edison, Ford, John Burroughs and families camping in the Florida Everglades.
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 10, 2015
6. Edison's Projecting Kinetoscope
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 10, 2015
7. An Edison Standard Phonograph
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 10, 2015
8. Edison Radio Receiver and Voicewriters
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 10, 2015
9. Thomas Alva Edison Family History
Thomas Elva Edison was born February 11, 1847 at Milan Ohio, the son of Samuel, Jr. and Nancy Elliot Edison. Sam had been a Native of Nova Scotia of part English, part Dutch ancestry. Nancy was a teacher and the daughter of a Baptist minister in Vienna, Ontario, where she and Sam met.
Thomas Edison married his first wife Mary Stillwell in 1871. After being married for only 13 years Mary died at the age of 29. There were 3 children, Marion, Thomas Jr and William, none of them had any children.
In 1886 Edison married his second wife, Mina Miller, in her hometown of Akron, Ohio. The couple honeymooned in Ft. Myers, Fl. The children from this marriage were Madeleine, Charles and Theodore. Madeleine provided the only grandchildren, Thomas (Ted), John (Jack), Peter and Michael Sloane.
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 10, 2015
10. Thomas Alva Edison Statue and Trees
February 11, 1930
11. The Late Thomas A. Edison at Telegraph Key, on his 83rd Birthday, Fort Myers, Florida
Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2015, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 945 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on August 8, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on October 23, 2015, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 11. submitted on October 23, 2015. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
