Edison Park Historic District in Fort Myers in Lee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Seminole Lodge Bell System
| | Edison and Ford Winter Estates | |
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025
1. The Seminole Lodge Bell System Marker
Before text messaging it was sometimes difficult to communicate across a large, sprawling property. One form of communication was a bell system. By pressing one of the buttons installed in rooms throughout the estate, a bell in the Guest House Butler's Pantry rang, alerting staff.
The system was improved in the 1920s when a voice intercom system was installed. In the breezeway between the Dining Room and Kitchen you can see the Graybar Electric central call point, although it is missing its earpiece.
In the Master Bedroom, what looks like an old rotary telephone is actually a three-button interphone. It allowed the Edisons to communicate directly with the wall-mounted interphone by the Kitchen and the Garage in the Caretaker's House. The third button, labeled "maid," was believed to connect to the second floor bedrooms where the housekeeping staff and cook lived.
(captions)
The Graybar Electric "interphone" patented in 1914.
Top: The 1920's Graybar Electric internal call system
Bottom: Part of the 1908-1910 original bell system, located in the Edison Guest House Butler's Pantry.
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Erected by Edison and Ford Winter Estates.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.
Location. 26° 38.041′ N, 81° 52.852′ 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 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 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: A True Fish Story (here, next to this marker); The Edisons Tropical Menagerie (a few steps from this marker); Original Edison Wicker Furniture (a few steps from this marker); Guest at Seminole Lodge (a few steps from this marker); The Seminole Lodge Kitchen (a few steps from this marker); The Edison Guest House (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named A True Fish Story (within shouting distance of this marker); Friendship Walk & Orchid Lane (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Myers.
Also see . . .
1. Vintage Catalog Graybar Inter-Phones & Accessories C1915-1925 Private Signaling
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025
2. The Seminole Lodge Bell System Marker
2. Edison and Ford Winter Estates. (Submitted on August 21, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025
3. 1920s Graybar Electric Internal Call System
Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 76 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 21, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
