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Historic Handbook
by Roberta Sandler

From Coast to Mainland, Captivating Remnants of the Past

What surprises me most about the Lee Island Coast is that it offers so many history lessons. On my way to Fort Myers' historic district, I noticed many markers celebrating 19th-century events. I also found architectural history in the heart of Fort Myers, where I tried to imagine how West First Street might have appeared at the turn of the 19th century, when whiskey cost $2 a gallon, and a saloon, a billiard hall, a chemist shop, and an attorney's office stood near the Heitman Building, Fort Myers' first brick building. Nearby is the beautiful Greek Revival-style Federal Building built in 1937 that once served as a U. S. Post Office.

When I stepped onto Monroe Street, I faced a bust of Robert E. Lee staunchly perched atop a stone pedestal. The county was named for Lee in 1877, thanks to the prodding of Capt. Francis Hendry, a cattleman who lived near Fort Myers. On nearby Bay Street, I came upon the former Arcade Theatre, where Thomas and Mina Edison attended performances when they wintered in Fort Myers. The Arcade now houses the Florida Repertory Theater .

Centennial Park
A brief stroll from the theater to Edwards Drive deposited me at Centennial Park , which stretches along the Caloosahatchee River. Here, I encountered an unexpected sight -- striking statuary representing several of Fort Myers' historical figures.

As though floating on a patch of grass in the middle of a pond, D. J. Wilkins' life-size bronze replicas of Harvey Firestone, Thomas Edison, and Henry Ford are frozen in a conversational moment, giving credence to the sculptures' title, "Uncommon Friends." As I meandered through the park, I noticed another significant statue by Wilkins. In what must have been a whimsical gesture, Wilkins named the statue "Sgt. Clayton" because it took a ton of clay to make him. The statue is dedicated to the Second Regiment Infantry U. S. Colored Troops who served at the Battle of Fort Myers in 1865.

Edison-Ford Winter Estates
Clearly, the crown jewels among Fort Myers' historic homes are the Edison-Ford Winter Estates. A guided tour disclosed intriguing facets of both men's lives and their father-son-like friendship. In 1886, Thomas Edison moved into the two-story winter home he built along 14 acres of Caloosahatchee riverfront in Fort Myers. The estate includes Edison's office, the laboratory where he turned goldenrod into rubber, a museum exhibiting many of his nearly 1,100 inventions, and a tropical garden, which includes the largest banyan tree in the continental United States.

In 1916, Edison's friends, Henry and Clara Ford, bought the rustically furnished house next door to Thomas and Mina. Visiting the Edison-Ford Winter Estates gave me insight into the private lives of both men, enabling me to see them as ordinary people rather than historical icons.

Burroughs Home
I discovered another Fort Myers residential gem when I toured the Burroughs Home , a beautiful Georgian Revival-style mansion built in 1901 by local cattleman John Murphy. In 1918, Iowa sheep-and-cattle-owner Nelson Burroughs bought the property. In a Living History tour, costumed guides led me from room to room and up the grand wooden staircase, while they recited dialogue as though they were Burroughs' daughters, Mona and Jettie. The dialogue transported me to an era when claw-footed bathtubs were considered modern.

Fort Myers Historical Museum
At the Fort Myers Historical Museum , I traveled back in time. This restored Atlantic Coastline Railroad Depot, built in 1924, examines the history of the Fort Myers area through graphic depictions and artifacts of Calusa Indians , Seminole Indians, and Spanish explorers. Photographs and memorabilia focus on local pioneers and the area's emergence into the present. A luxurious, 84-foot-long Pullman rail car built in 1929 and a replica of a late 1800s-early 1900s cracker house, as built by early settlers, flank the museum's exterior.

Koreshan State Historical Site
The Koreshan State Historic Site was my introduction to a truly unique aspect of Fort Myers' history, and had I not visited this site, I might never have learned about Dr. Cyrus Teed, a Civil War veteran who in 1894 had a vision or "great illumination." He changed his name to Koresh, gathered up the followers of his new religious sect, and moved from Chicago to Estero to build a commune. As I toured some of the surviving buildings, it became evident to me that the Koreshans were self-sufficient, devoted to the arts, and believed in equality of the sexes.

They were convinced that the world was a hollow globe, with mankind living on the inside surface of the earth and gazing at the solar system within. The Koreshan's theater building exhibits a hollow globe display that embodies their belief. Teed expected his religious sect to number 10 million, but his following never exceeded 250.

Mound Key State Archaeological Site
The Indian shell mounds at Mound Key State Archaeological Site in Estero Bay rise more than 30 feet. The guided tour of mangrove-shrouded Mound Key painted a picture of the Calusa Indians who lived here, their Cacique (kin), and their town of Calos, which suddenly vanished. Here lies a tale of a complex Calusa society that dominated southern Florida for centuries and their hostility toward Spanish explorers.

Sanibel and Captiva Islands
I found more Indian history on Sanibel and Captiva Islands and the Barrier Islands. Ponce de Leon discovered Sanibel and Captiva in 1513. On a return trip, he was un-welcomed by a Calusa Indian arrow that poisoned him. By 1900, sea captains and farmers were homesteading Sanibel and Captiva islands.

In 1925, Clarence Chadwick, inventor of the Checkwriter, converted Captiva Island into a key lime plantation. South Seas Plantation, a 330-acre resort, now sits on Chadwick's plantation. Today, vacationers and shell seekers flock to the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva. The islands' history is illustrated through exhibits at Sanibel Historical Village & Museum, which includes several vintage buildings.

Legends about pirates have always intrigued me, so I found myself absorbed with 19th-century pirate Joe Gaspar, who buried stolen treasure on Santa Isybella Island (Sanibel), and who built a prison, guarded by eunuchs, on Isle de los Captivas, or Captiva, where he kept his ransomed female captors safe. Gaspar was captured in 1821 by the U. S. Navy, but drowned himself in anchor chains rather than face imprisonment.

Barrier Islands
The barrier islands of the Lee Island Coast echo pirate legends and bear witness to the Calusa culture. In 1919, Alan and Grace Rinehart began building their estate home on the 102-acre Cabbage Key in Pine Island Sound. Alan was the son of mystery writer Mary Roberts Rinehart. Their house, atop an ancient Calusa Indian shell mound 38 feet above sea level, was converted into the Inn at Cabbage Key. The inn was a fun place for me to visit and to eat lunch, thanks to the 30,000 one-dollar bills taped to the walls, beams, posts, and ceilings. It's a custom that began in 1941 when a fisherman signed and taped his last dollar to the wall. It assured him that, upon his return, he'd have $1 to buy a beer. Visitors continue the tradition, and I was no exception.

Museum of the Islands , in Bokeelia, showcases the natural history of Pine Island by exhibiting a palm-thatched kitchen used by early settlers and items associated with the Calusa Indians. Across from Cabbage Key, pirate Jose Gaspar supposedly named Useppa Island for his captive, a Mexican princess named Joseffa. Archaeological digs have exposed artifacts indicating that Calusa Indians lived here as far back as 5000 B.C.

Barron Collier, for whom Collier County is named, bought the 100-acre island in 1912 and founded a resort that targeted wealthy fishing enthusiasts and famous names. The Useppa Museum showcases the island's history. Boca Grande, connected to the mainland by a short causeway near Punta Gorda on Gasparilla Island, was founded by the DuPont family in the late 1800s. Its historic sights include an inn, a department store, and a lighthouse, all built in the early 1900s.

Alva
Alva, at the eastern tip of Lee County, is so tiny that I almost bypassed this town. It was settled more than 100 years ago by Peter Nelson, a Danish sea captain who discovered a white wildflower, the alva, while cruising down the Caloosa River Basin.

The state's southernmost winery, Eden Vineyards Winery , is located here, as is the United Methodist Church, which was built in 1903. It features a heart of pine interior, a tin roof, and the longest continually used church sanctuary in southwest Florida. The diminutive Alva Library, dedicated in 1909, now houses the Alva Museum, which exhibits mementos of Alva's early days.

Gladiolus Capital
The tiny suburb of Iona in Southwest Lee County was once known as the Gladiolus Farm Capital of the World, with more gladiolus flowers grown here than anywhere else in the United States. Rich, fertile soil and a favorable climate lured three top growers to the area in 1935; Rex Beach of Rex Beach Farms, John O. Zipperera of Pinellas Gladiolus, Inc., and A&W Bulb Company. The gladiolus is also known as the "ladder to heaven" - ironic - since Iona ultimately blossomed into an Eden-like waterfront community, resplendent with palm trees and brilliant blooms of many varieties.

Now that I've explored Fort Myers and its surrounding areas, I'm convinced that on the Lee Island Coast, history is beauty and beauty is history.

WaterFrontFortMyers.com-Pet Friendly-located on the Carolina Ave. canal with boat dock available and solar heated pool (Time Square area of Estero Island) and only 150 yards to the beautiful white sands of Estero Island in the Gulf of Mexico. Be in the Gulf of Mexico within 1 minute from our boat docks. WaterfrontFortMyers.com provides free bikes available upon request, free fishing on our docks, free wireless internet access, and laundry facility. We are located on the Carolina Ave. canal street facing Hooters Restaurant, and 300 yards away from the Beached Whale restaurant in theTime Square area of Fort Myers Beach . Our location is quiet and peaceful.

Estero Island bird watching fun in the sun boating Twins Spring Season manatee tours Indian mounds golf courses Big M casino boat Red Sox Spring Season dolphin tours Caloosahatchee river tours charter boats Key West shuttle Stars and Strips for charter everglade tours Hurricane Charlie '04 snorkeling Salty Sams Marina beach cruises Edison & Ford Estates Fort Myers world famous Tanger outlet stores FMB Time Square prehistoric sharks restaurants Disney World fishing butterflies Lover's Key Shell Factory restaurant reviews History of Estero Island Panoramic view Time Square area attractions Must see Eco-Archaeo Trail

CHECK-IN: Check-in time is after 3:00 P.M EASTERN TIME. During peak season some units may not be ready by 3:00 P.M. Your patience will be appreciated. Arrivals will find the lockbox combination on their front door knob. Please check-in at the Rental Unit you are assigned. If you discover any deficiencies in the inventory or damage to the property upon your arrival, it is your responsibility to immediately inform WaterfrontFortMyers Inc. so you are not held responsible for the cost of repairing and/or replacing same.

OCCUPANCY: WaterfrontFortMyers Inc. is very serious about maintaining a family atmosphere for the quiet enjoyment of all our guests. We will rent to families and RESPONSIBLE ADULTS over the age of 25, proof of age is required. The total number of persons allowed in the unit at any time is restricted to the stated limit for each property. Absolutely no house/pool parties allowed. Any violators will be ejected according to F. S. 509.141 and will be billed for any damages. Augustine suite max 6 people, 8 people with additional $100 fee per person per week, Aquinas suite max 4 people, Reagan suite max 3 people, and Schaeffer suite max 2 people.

FALSIFIED RESERVATION: Any reservation obtained under false pretense will be subject to forfeiture of any rental prepayments. Guests will not be permitted to check-in.

ABSOLUTELY NO PETS are allowed unless you receive permission (those units that do allow pets, which must be specifically requested in advance). The number of pets must be declared and no unit is to exceed one dog or one cat- pet breed must be identified. Exceptions are made on an individual basis for two dogs but this must be requested in advance. Additional refundable pet fee have been waived on those units that do permit pets for one dog. A $100.00 non-refundable pet fee is required before occupancy for those people who have been given permission for two dogs, plus an 11% tax will be added to the cleaning and administrative fees. At all times, pet owners are required to clean up after their pets. If any evidence of a pet (s) is found in your unit or on the premises without prior permission, you will be asked to vacate immediately with no refund of any payments.

UNIT ASSIGNMENTS: We reserve the right to change unit assignments at our sole discretion without prior written notice and without any refund, this clause rarely happening. When you confirm a reservation, a unit will be assigned, however, no request or a specific unit is guaranteed. If a unit change becomes necessary, every attempt will be made to contact you by mail with a new confirmation and/or by a telephone call.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE: All on-line or phone bookings require an initial pre-payment of $300 - $500 via paypal or check. The final payment is due 60 days prior to arrival by paypal, cash, check, traveler's checks or bank money orders. All rates are subject to Florida state and local taxes. Should your personal check be returned for any reason, there will be a $35.00 returned check fee added to your balance.

HOUSEKEEPING: NO DAILY MAID SERVICE! Rates include housekeeping service only upon arrival/departure. Linens and bath towels are provided and are not to be taken from the unit. We suggest you bring beach towels. Housekeeping provides initial set-ups of paper towels, bathroom tissue, bath soap, trash can liners and may include single use dishwashing soap. The property is equipped with coin laundry located in the front of the complex facing Carolina Ave. If you wish to have additional service through your stay, we can accommodate this request for an additional charge.

CHECK-OUT PROCEDURE: CHECK-OUT time is prior to 10:00 A.M. DO NOT LEAVE KEYS IN THE PROPERTY!

All keys must be returned to the Lockbox that is located on your front door knob, there is a $50.00 fee for each unreturned key. We ask that you leave the property neat and orderly. All units are inspected before and after each occupancy.

CLEAN-UP AT CHECK-OUT: Place all debris, garbage and discards outside in proper containers located on the left side of the parking lot if you are facing the complex from Carolina Ave. Soiled dishes must be placed in dishwasher and cleaned. Up to three loads of laundry are o.k. Don't make your bed (.you are on vacation until you get home). Unit must be left in a neat and orderly condition (there is a minimum $50.00 charge if extra cleaning and rearranging of the furniture is required).

All windows/doors must be closed and locked.

PLEASE NOTE: IF EXPENSES ARE INCURRED TO REPAIR DAMAGE, REPLACE MISSING ITEMS, PAY FOR EXTRA CLEANING OR ANY OTHER VIOLATIONS OF THE RENTAL POLICY AS A RESULT OF YOUR STAY, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHARGE YOUR CREDIT CARD TO OFFSET EXPENSES AND ADMINISTRATIVE FEES.

LOCKOUTS: If you lock yourself out of your property after office hours, you can call our emergency phone number 239-826-6460 . Our emergency service will either allow you back in for a cash fee of $50.00 or contact a local Locksmith to allow you back in the property. You will be responsible for paying any applicable fees directly to the emergency service or the locksmith at the time they come out.

CANCELLATIONS: Reservation prepayments will NOT be refunded unless the unit is re-rented for the same rental payment and time period reserved. If refunded WaterfrontFortMyers Inc. will retain $100.00 plus 11% taxes for a service fee. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance for your protection.

CANCELLATIONS OR EARLY DEPARTURES FOR ANY REASON (EXCLUDING MANDATORY EVACUATION) DO NOT WARRANT ANY REFUND OF PREPAYMENTS OR RENT. Room changes are considered the same as a cancellation since the properties are individually owned.

DAMAGES: Damages must not be the result of willful, wanton or grossly negligent behavior, or damages by a pet. WaterfrontFortMyers Inc. has the final judgment in all instances. You must furnish a credit card to be used as a line of credit in case damages are deemed intentional. PLEASE NOTE: IF EXPENSES ARE INCURRED TO REPAIR DAMAGE, REPLACE MISSING ITEMS, PAY FOR EXTRA CLEANING OR ANY OTHER VIOLATION OF THE RENTAL POLICY AS A RESULT OF YOUR STAY, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHARGE YOUR CREDIT CARD TO OFFSET EXPENSES AND ADMINISTRATIVE FEES.

INDEMNIFICATION OF DAMAGES: By taking occupancy of the property, you agree to WaterfrontFortMyers Inc. to have an equitable lien on your personal and real property, wherever located, to secure payment of costs relating to damages. Your further agree that WaterfrontFortMyers Inc.. may enforce its claim of lien against you by foreclosing on your real property and/0r obtaining a judgment against you. You acknowledge and agree that WaterfrontFortMyers Inc.. right to enforce such lien is not an unreasonable penalty or forfeiture.

UTILITIES: No compensation will be given for temporary outage of electricity, gas, water, cable or telephone service. Outages should be reported immediately and all efforts will be made to have them restored as soon as possible. The operation and maintenance of these utilities is out of the control of the owner/ WaterfrontFortMyers.

PHONE SERVICE: There is no charge for local calls. All units have a party line and long distance phone calls are blocked, No International calls allowed unless charged to your phone card. The phone number for all units is 239-463-2583 .

ITEMS LEFT IN UNIT: WaterfrontFortMyers Inc. is not responsible for personal items left in a unit. If items are found and you wish them returned, there will be a $ 35.00 service charge plus shipping costs.

FURNISHINGS: Our vacation rentals are individually owned and furnished.

· Please do not rearrange the furniture, take any items outside that are part of the interior décor, move any furnishings or kitchen items to another unit.

· You will be charged if we have to rearrange the furniture after your stay. The unit descriptions were correct at the time of printing, but subsequent owner renovations may have resulted in changes. Although every effort has been made for accuracy, WaterfrontFortMyers is not responsible for errors, for property changes made by the owners, or for any conditions beyond our control upon arrival.

· NOTE: Rental agent represents property to the best of his/her ability and assumes no liability for errors or omissions. Since the premises are privately owned, WaterfrontFortMyers Inc. shall be responsible for any additional furnishings not presently in the property.

· Renter expressly agrees to indemnify owner for any damages or costs to the premises, furnishings, equipment and household items therein, which occur during renter's occupancy excluding normal wear and tear.

· PLEASE NOTE: IF EXPENSES ARE INCURRED TO REPAIR DAMAGE, REPLACE MISSING ITEMS, PAY FOR EXTRA CLEANING OR ANY OTHER VIOLATION OF THE RENTAL POLICY AS A RESULT OF YOUR STAY, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHARGE YOUR CREDIT CARD TO OFFSET EXPENSES AND ADMINISTRATIVE FEES.

PARKING: Please park in designated areas only. Parking regulations are as follows.

· Augustine unit has 2 parking spots allocated located on the furthest most left side on the parking lot (facing from Carolina Ave. towards the complex. These cars are to be parked back to back to each other.

· Reagan, Aquinas, and Schaeffer units all are allocated 1 parking spot

· No guest cars are ever allowed on our parking lot and will be towed at owner's expense

· $100 fine will be assessed against any guest who violated the parking agreement for guest cars parked in our parking lot.

· R.V.'s, Boats, motor homes, travel trailers, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, etc., are not permitted without prior approval and will be subject to towing. We do not have room in our parking lot for any of these items.

RULES AND REGULATIONS: All guests, as well as Owners, are required to conform to all rules and regulations. Violators are subject to ejection, according to Florida Statute 509.141.

REPAIRS: Our staff is here to make sure your vacation home is in the best condition that it can be. If you should discover otherwise, please report it to us immediately and we will correct it as quickly as possible; however no refunds will be given for appliance failure or other circumstances beyond our control. Please do not wait until you are checking-out to let us know about problems, as we no longer have the opportunity to rectify the situation. At times we must wait for parts or service. Please bear with us during these times.

NON-SMOKING UNITS: Smoking is strictly prohibited inside ALL rental units. You will incur any charges for carpet cleaning and deodorizing if any evidence of smoking is found in your non-smoking unit.

AGENCY DISCLOSURE: WaterfrontFortMyers Inc. is the agent of the property owner and is acting at all times, in and for the best interest of the owners. Agent will not be held responsible for acts of theft or vandalism or damages to the guest's personal property.

Please call for details or to reserve your dates. We are pet friendly, family friendly property. Free bikes provided upon request, two boat docks for fishing right at the property, pool, two boat docks

http://rentalo.com/108760/waterfrontpetfriendly.html

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