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

Edison & Ford Winter Estates

Photographed by Michael Cece

1. Edison & Ford Winter Estates Marker

Inscription. In 1885 world-famous inventor Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) first visited Fort Myers. In 1886 he built his winter home, "Seminole Lodge." a second home for a friend/partner, and a laboratory. He brought his bride, Mina Miller Edison (1865-1947), to honeymoon and vacation here in 1886. The homes were designed by Edison and pre-cut by two firms in Maine and shipped to Fort Myers. In 1916 industrialist Henry Ford (1863-1947) purchased the estate next door, "The Mangoes," in order to spend more time with his good friend and mentor, Thomas Edison. These two prominent figures vacationed here until Edison's death in 1931, and Mina continued to vacation here until 1947. The City of Fort Myers purchased the Ford estate in 1988 as an addition to the Edison Historical Site. Mina generously deeded the estate to the City of Fort Myers for $1.00. In her dedication ceremony on March 6, 1947, she stated: "My faith and belief in the sincerity of the people of Fort Myers prompts me to make this sacred spot a gift to you and posterity as a Sanctuary and Botanical Park in the memory of my honored and revered husband, Thomas A. Edison, who so thoroughly believed in the future of Fort Myers."

Erected 2002 by the City of Fort Myers and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-462.)

Topics. This historical

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marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 26° 38.032′ N, 81° 52.808′ W. Marker is in Fort Myers, Florida, in Lee County. It is in the Edison Park Historic District. It is on McGregor Boulevard north of Llewellyn Drive, on the right when traveling north. 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: Edison Heritage Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Friendship Walk & Orchid Lane (within shouting distance of this marker); Meet Two of the Most Influential Men of the 20th Century (within shouting distance of this marker); Seminole Lodge Main House (within shouting distance of this marker); Clara Ford’s Michigan Rose Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Henry Ford (within shouting distance of this marker); Henry Ford's Florida Estate (within shouting distance of this marker); Edison Caretaker's Yard (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Myers.

Other markers no longer nearby.

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Mina Miller Edison (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis) (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Thomas Alva Edison (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2025, by Michael Cece of Sarasota, Florida. This page has been viewed 122 times since then and 37 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on December 19, 2025, by Michael Cece of Sarasota, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.