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

Thomas Edison, Chemist

National Historic Chemical Landmark

— Edison and Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers, Florida —

Thomas Edison, Chemist Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025

1. Thomas Edison, Chemist Marker

Inscription.
In 1927 Thomas Edison joined with Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone to establish the Edison Botanic Research Corporation to investigate a source of rubber that could be produced domestically. Edisons background to materials science and business made him uniquely qualified to lead the search for this critically important material the following year, Edison built this botanical laboratory where more than 7000 plant samples from around the world were analyzed for their latex content. One group of plants—Solidago, commonly known as goldenrod—was selected as the most promising: Edison's team crossbred species to increase their rubber content, and tested industrial production. When Edison died in 1931 the rubber project continued for five years until it was transferred to the US Department of Agriculture.

Erected by American Chemical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 26° 38.056′ N, 81° 52.765′ W. Marker is in Fort Myers, Florida, in Lee County. It can be reached from McGregor Boulevard north of Llewellyn Drive, on the right when traveling north. Located on the grounds of the Edison

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and Ford Winter Estates on the laboratory side of the complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2351 McGregor Boulevard, 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: Edison’s Bayon Tree (a few steps from this marker); Edison Botanic Research Laboratory (a few steps from this marker); Artesian Well (a few steps from this marker); Meet Two of the Most Influential Men of the 20th Century (a few steps from this marker); Mina Miller Edison (a few steps from this marker); Experimental Plots (within shouting distance of this marker); Three Famous Friends And Their Quest For Rubber (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lay of the Land (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Myers.

Also see . . .
1. National Historic Chemical Landmarks. (Submitted on August 22, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Edison and Ford Winter Estates. (Submitted on August 22, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 78 times since then and 18 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on August 22, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.