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

Water Systems

Modern Plumbing Comes To Fort Myers

— Edison and Ford Winter Estates —

Water Systems Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025

1. Water Systems Marker

Inscription.

Water Systems. Modern Plumbing Comes To Fort Myers. , In The Pipeline , Although Fort Myers is surrounded by water, it was difficult to access clean water during the town's earliest days. Thomas Edison created a site plan in 1885 after purchasing this property. His sketch focused heavily on water-related needs, including a storage tank over the original laboratory and a large network of piping to irrigate his gardens and supply water for his home, as well as a decorative fountain. In 1902, he began to install an extensive water sprinkler system with more wells being dug, including two deep artesian wells., In July 1919, Edison began construction on the large concrete cistern to your right. Rainwater from the homes roofs was piped to the cistern. Two pumps and a pressure tank pumped the water back to the residences for daily use. The cistern is a reinforced concrete structure with nine-inch-thick walls, and holds nearly 40,000 gallons of water. As a result, all the raised, wooden water tanks were removed from the property. By 1929, Edison connected his property to the city's water supply located near McGregor Blvd., (sidebars) , Above: A two-story diving board was added during the 1928 renovation. As it aged through the years, it was rebuilt. In September of 2022, the platform was destroyed by Hurricane Ian., Below: The 1917 R. W. Kellow sketch of the Edison Estate includes illustrations of the water tanks located east of the Caretaker's House., Fast Facts: , . A fire standpipe system (early fire suppression) was installed in 1909. It contained a 100-foot hose and water provided by an artesian well. It can still be seen today on the Seminole Lodge porches. , . In 1919 hand-held Pyrene chemical fire extinguishers were added to the estate. , . What is an Artesian Well? , A well that brings groundwater to the surface without pumping. This is due to the fact that the water is naturally under pressure from rock and sediment as it runs through an underground river known as an aquifer., (caption) Below: A wooden water tank can be seen on top of the original Fort Myers laboratory.

In The Pipeline
Although Fort Myers is surrounded by water, it was difficult to access clean water during the town's earliest days. Thomas Edison created a site plan in 1885 after purchasing this property. His sketch focused heavily on water-related needs, including a storage tank over the original laboratory and a large network of piping to irrigate his gardens and supply water for his home, as well as a decorative fountain. In 1902, he began to install an extensive water sprinkler system with more wells being dug, including two deep artesian wells.

In July 1919, Edison began construction on the large concrete cistern to your right. Rainwater from the homes roofs was piped to the cistern. Two pumps and a pressure tank pumped the water back to the residences for daily use. The cistern is a reinforced concrete structure with nine-inch-thick walls, and holds nearly 40,000 gallons of water. As a result, all the raised, wooden water tanks were removed from the property. By 1929, Edison connected his property to the city's water supply located near McGregor Blvd.

(sidebars)
Above: A two-story diving board was added during the 1928 renovation. As it aged through the years, it was rebuilt. In September of 2022, the platform was destroyed by Hurricane Ian.

Below: The

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1917 R. W. Kellow sketch of the Edison Estate includes illustrations of the water tanks located east of the Caretaker's House.

Fast Facts:
• A fire standpipe system (early fire suppression) was installed in 1909. It contained a 100-foot hose and water provided by an artesian well*. It can still be seen today on the Seminole Lodge porches.
• In 1919 hand-held Pyrene chemical fire extinguishers were added to the estate.
• What is an Artesian Well?
A well that brings groundwater to the surface without pumping. This is due to the fact that the water is naturally under pressure from rock and sediment as it runs through an underground river known as an aquifer.

(caption) Below: A wooden water tank can be seen on top of the original Fort Myers laboratory.

Erected by Edison and Ford Winter Estates.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1919.

Location. 26° 38.115′ N, 81° 52.827′ 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 compound

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025

2. Water Systems Marker

at 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 (here, next to this marker); Swimming Pool (a few steps from this marker); The Edison Cistern (a few steps from this marker); Edison’s Study (within shouting distance of this marker); The Moonlight Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Edison’s Study (within shouting distance of this marker); Japanese Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Edison’s Caretaker’s House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Myers.

Also see . . . 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 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 102 times since then and 19 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.