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

The Gift of Citrus

— Edison and Ford Winter Estates —

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025

1. The Gift of Citrus Marker

Inscription. The Edison family grew a wide variety of citrus here in Fort Myers. The family described the varieties "golden oranges, deep colored mandarins, bright yellow lemons, shaddocks, red tangerine oranges, grapefruit" and many others.

They enjoyed eating jellies made from the fruit, and also shipped crates of citrus to friends and family as gifts. At the turn of the 19th century, oranges were still an exotic luxury item for many, and were a popular gift in stockings at Christmas time.

‐ Did You Know —
The tradition of giving the gift of citrus continues today. Many visitors to Florida continue this tradition by shipping citrus, along with related gifts, like jams, jellies, and chocolates, to friends and family.

Erected by Edison and Ford Winter Estates and Florida Citrus.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 26° 37.984′ N, 81° 52.88′ 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

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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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Citrus on the High Seas (here, next to this marker); The Past, Present, and Future of Florida Citrus (a few steps from this marker); Citrus Heats Up in Fort Myers (a few steps from this marker); Squeezing Success (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. The Gift of Citrus 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 75 times since then and 10 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.