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

A True Fish Story

— Edison and Ford Winter Estates —

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025

1. A True Fish Story Marker

Inscription.

A True Fish Story. . , As an adult, Charles Edison recounted the following story about a fishing expedition with his father:

“One day (Father) wanted to go up the river in our electric launch. We only had about four mullet for bait, just about enough for one person. So, accompanied by a friend, I volunteered to stay behind in a small boat, try to catch more mullet in a cast net, and then fish there until the electric launch returned in the afternoon to pick us up ...I threw mullet bait out on my line and settled down to read a book with the line across the gunnel and then going slowly through my fingers. Pretty soon the line started going out slowly, very slowly. I thought I had a crab.”, Suddenly the line started out fast, then faster and faster. When I braked the line, a big tarpon jumped and tail-walked across the water. After a struggle, we gaffed the tarpon aside our little cedar rowboat, its head out of the water. I settled down to read again and to wait for the electric launch to pick us up... About then the launch appeared coming down the river, her flags flying, and with Father standing on the bow and laughing at me as he shouted, "I got a tarpon! I got a tarpon!" (His was a little one... whereas mine weighed 110 pounds.)”

Charles turned to his father and said, "Don't laugh. Wait till you see what I caught." After seeing his son's large fish, Edison turned to his assistant Freddy Ott, and said disgustedly, "Throw mine overboard." Ott refused because it was Edison's first tarpon., We had them both mounted and hung them on a wall facing one of the wide verandas at Seminole Lodge. Father, in a friendly way, was always chagrined that I had beaten him. It was a family joke for years., (captions) , Mounted Tarpon On Wall Above: Replica. The actual fish is in the Museum. It is believed to be Thomas Edison's first tarpon. , Above: Thomas Edison, center, fishing for tarpon, 1906., To see the other fish in this story, go to the opposite side of this porch.

As an adult, Charles Edison recounted the following story about a fishing expedition with his father:

“One day (Father) wanted to go up the river in our electric launch. We only had about four mullet for bait, just about enough for one person. So, accompanied by a friend, I volunteered to stay behind in a small boat, try to catch more mullet in a cast net, and then fish there until the electric launch returned in the afternoon to pick us up ...I threw mullet bait out on my line and settled down to read a book with the line across the gunnel and then going slowly through my fingers. Pretty soon the line started going out slowly—very slowly. I thought I had a crab.”

Suddenly the line started out fast, then faster and faster. When I braked the line, a big tarpon jumped and tail-walked across the water. After a struggle, we gaffed the tarpon aside our little cedar rowboat, its head out of the water. I settled down to read again and to wait for the electric launch to pick us up... About then the launch appeared coming down the river, her flags flying, and with Father standing on the bow and laughing at me as he shouted, "I got a tarpon! I got a tarpon!" (His was a little one... whereas mine weighed 110 pounds.)”

Charles turned to his father and said, "Don't laugh. Wait till you see
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what I caught." After seeing his son's large fish, Edison turned to his assistant Freddy Ott, and said disgustedly, "Throw mine overboard." Ott refused because it was Edison's first tarpon.

We had them both mounted and hung them on a wall facing one of the wide verandas at Seminole Lodge. Father—in a friendly way—was always chagrined that I had beaten him. It was a family joke for years.

(captions)
Mounted Tarpon On Wall Above: Replica. The actual fish is in the Museum. It is believed to be Thomas Edison's first tarpon.

Above: Thomas Edison, center, fishing for tarpon, 1906.

To see the other fish in this story, go to the opposite side of this porch.

Erected by Edison and Ford Winter Estates.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.

Location. 26° 38.055′ N, 81° 52.859′ 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.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025

2. A True Fish Story Marker

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: The Edison Guest House (a few steps from this marker); Guest at Seminole Lodge (a few steps from this marker); The Edisons’ Tropical Menagerie (a few steps from this marker); Original Edison Wicker Furniture (within shouting distance of this marker); The Seminole Lodge Bell System (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named A True Fish Story (within shouting distance of this marker); The Edison Main House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Seminole Lodge Kitchen (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Myers.

Also see . . .
1. On Florida’s Waters - When Thomas Edison Caught A Tarpon Near Fort Myers. (Submitted on August 24, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Edison and Ford Winter Estates. (Submitted on August 24, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 64 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 24, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.