Edison Park Historic District in Fort Myers in Lee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Citrus on the High Seas

— Edison and Ford Winter Estates —

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025

1. Citrus on the High Seas Marker

Inscription.
Argh! Did you know that pirates (and sailors) brought citrus along on long sea voyages to prevent scurvy, a disease caused by a vitamin C deficiency? Laws were passed in the 18th century requiring some ships to carry orange juice aboard.

Getting adequate vitamin C is still important today. It plays a key role in supporting a healthy immune system, and helps the body form and maintain strong bones, blood vessels and healthy skin.

‐ Did You Know —
Florida Oranges and Orange Juice are an excellent source of vitamin C and include other important nutrients like potassium, folate, thiamin and magnesium.

Erected by Edison and Ford Winter Estates and Florida Citrus.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 26° 37.985′ N, 81° 52.884′ W. Marker is in Fort Myers, Florida, in Lee County. It is in the Edison Park Historic District. It can be reached from McGregor Boulevard 0.1 miles north of Llewellyn Drive, on the left when traveling north. Located on the grounds of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates on the river side of the compound. 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.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Gift of Citrus (here, next to this marker); Squeezing Success (here, next to this marker); Citrus Heats Up in Fort Myers (here, next to this marker); The Past, Present, and Future of Florida Citrus (a few steps from this marker); The Henry Ford Citrus Grove (a few steps from this marker); The Landscape of The Mangoes (within shouting distance of this marker); Inside Henry Ford’s Mangoes Estate (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mangoes: Henry Ford’s Florida Retreat (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Myers.

Also see . . .
1. Edison, Ford, and Citrus: A Sweet History. (Submitted on August 15, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. What is on the trees at the Ford Estate. (Submitted on August 15, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025

2. Citrus on the High Seas Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 67 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 15, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.