Fort Myers in Lee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Edison Cistern
| | Edison and Ford Winter Estates | |
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025
1. The Edison Cistern Marker
Built in 1919, this reinforced concrete structure was designed to collect and store 40,000 gallons of rainwater for household use. It features 9-inch thick walls, a vaulted roof, and stepped parapet walls on the gable ends. The side walls are buttressed to provide the strength needed to hold the large volume of water.
Hurricane Ian
On September 28, 2022, Category 5 Hurricane Ian struck the coast of Southwest Florida with winds of 160 mph. Ian was the 5th-strongest hurricane on record to make landfall in the contiguous U.S.
The storm was responsible for over 150 deaths and over $112 billion in damage, making it the costliest hurricane in Florida's history and the third costliest in US history.
The catastrophic storm surge from the Caloosahatchee River onto the Edison property washed out the soil from the base of the cistern, causing it to sink on the river side when the waters receded. This shift affected the two-level diving board platform that was attached to the gable wall of the cistern, and the combination of water and wind destroyed it.
Repair and Preservation
The Edison and Ford Winter Estates is monitoring the condition of the damaged structure. We are currently investigating options to repair and preserve Thomas Edison's historic cistern for years to come.
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Images
this page online
Bottom: The Edison Pool Complex in 2016. The cistern can be seen on the right.
Satellite image of Hurricane Ian
Erected by Edison and Ford Winter Estates.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is September 28, 2022.
Location. 26° 38.124′ N, 81° 52.821′ W. Marker is in Fort Myers, Florida, in Lee County. It can be reached from McGregor Boulevard (Florida Route 867) south of West First Street, on the right when traveling south. Located on the grounds of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates on the river side of the complex adjacent to the Edison Pool Complex. 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.
Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It is also in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds 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 marker: Motor Generator (a few steps from this marker); Water Systems (a few steps from this marker); Swimming Pool (within shouting distance of this marker); Japanese Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Edisons Caretakers House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Moonlight Garden
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025
2. The Edison Cistern Marker
Also see . . .
1. Is it still standing in Fort Myers? Edison and Ford estate took a hit from hurricane. Miami Herald website entry (October 3 2022) (Submitted on August 11, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Edison and Ford Winter Estates. (Submitted on August 11, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 108 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 11, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
