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

“Why, this will be the finest thing that ever happened to lovely Fort Myers.”

-Thomas Edison

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 10, 2015

1. “Why, this will be the finest thing that ever happened to lovely Fort Myers.” Marker

Inscription.
“Beyond doubt you have the finest place in the country, and if you build a sea wall inside a few years this section will not be large enough to hold the tourists that will be scrambling to get here every winter. Yes, sir, by all means build the sea wall.”
-Thomas Edison, thoughts on the proposed city seawall from a local newspaper article in 1908.

Edison built the first section of the rock seawall along his property in 1903 and extended it along the Guest House property in 1907. The seawall was 3' tall and 2' wide and was completed at a cost of $450. The Seminole Lodge Caretaker, Ewald Stulpner, related in a letter to Edison that the structure “makes a great improvement to your riverfront."

The seawall protected the property and provided a small beachfront area for the Edison family and guests. The lawn along the seawall was also an important feature of the landscape.

Seawall Restoration 2005
. Lee County Beach and Shoreline Grant
. State of Florida, Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development
. City of Fort Myers
. Florida Gulf Coast University Archeological Survey

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 26°

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38.067′ N, 81° 52.804′ W. Marker is in Fort Myers, Florida, in Lee County. It can be reached from McGregor Boulevard south of Larchmont Avenue, on the right when traveling south. The marker is inside the Edison & Ford Winter Estates. 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 7 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Clara Ford’s Michigan Rose Garden (here, next to this marker); Henry Ford (here, next to this marker); Henry Ford's Florida Estate (here, next to this marker); Edison Caretaker's Yard (here, next to this marker); Fire Control in Edison’s Time... and Today (here, next to this marker); Edison Pier (here, next to this marker); Edison Caretaker’s House (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Myers.

Other markers no longer nearby. Motor Generator (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Edison’s Water Systems (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Edison Pool Complex (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Edison Pool Complex (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Edison's Study and Moonlight Garden, 1928

The seawall provides a resilient division between the river and Coconut Grove. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 10, 2015

2. The seawall provides a resilient division between the river and Coconut Grove.

(was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Moonlight Garden (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Orchid Lane and Friendship Walk (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Edison Family Home Seminole Lodge (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Edison Guest House (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Edison & Ford Winter Estates. (Submitted on November 6, 2015.)

Thomas and Mina stroll along the edge of the seawall near the Lily Pond image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 10, 2015

3. Thomas and Mina stroll along the edge of the seawall near the Lily Pond

Mina, Madeline, Theodore and a friend cool off in the river. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 10, 2015

4. Mina, Madeline, Theodore and a friend cool off in the river.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025

5. “Why, this will be the finest thing that ever happened to lovely Fort Myers.” Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2015, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 562 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 5, 2015, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 5. submitted on August 17, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

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