The Edison Estate
Thomas Edison arrived in Fort Myers on March 20, 1885, and within 24 hours had decided to purchase 13-plus acres along the Caloosahatchee River for $2,750 to build his winter home, "Seminole Lodge." Beautifully poised along the Caloosahatchee River, Edison's Estate is one of the greatest historic treasures in Lee County. The vernacular structure, completed in 1886, served as a winter retreat and work place for the prolific inventor until his death in 1931.
"Seminole Lodge," was designed by Mr. Edison, and built in sections in Fairfield, Maine. The sections were then transported to Fort Myers by four sailing schooners.
The furnishings and architecture of these gracious, rambling buildings are reminiscent of a bygone era. The inventive genius of Edison is evident throughout the 13-plus acre riverfront estate. IPIX 360° Images:Edison/Ford Exterior
Kept just as the Edison's left them, the spacious rooms are countless reminders of the years Edison and his wife Mina shared in this peaceful and serene tropical paradise. Circling the home are large overhanging porches, which, combined with the French doors on the first floor, provide a cool breeze through the home. The electric chandeliers, "electroliers," were designed by Edison and hand made of brass in his own workshop.
In the early 1900s, Mr. Edison built one of Florida's first swimming pools with cement from his own Edison Portland Cement Company. It still holds water today! Mr. Edison used the water from an artesian well to fill the pool and to irrigate the botanical gardens.
On March 6, 1947, Mrs. Edison sold the estate to the City of Fort Myers for $1.00, and in November of that year, public tours of the estate began. IPIX 360° Images:Edison/Ford
Botanical Gardens Edison's tropical botanical garden, one of the most complete in America, contains more than one thousand varieties of plants imported from all over the world, including African sausage trees and a Banyan tree, which was a gift from Harvey Firestone in 1925. This is now the largest banyan tree in the U.S., with the tree's aerial roots circumference at more than 400 feet. Originally, this was an experimental garden. Edison was interested in the various products and by-products of the plants, which he used in many of his scientific investigations. Later, Mrs. Edison enhanced the garden with many beautiful plants, including roses, orchids and bromeliads. IPIX 360° Images:Edison/Ford Garden
Ford, Friend and Neighbor
The close friendship between Henry Ford and Thomas Edison brought Mr. And Mrs. Ford to Fort Myers in 1915 as guests in the Edison's home. The following year, Mr. Ford purchased the house next door to his good friend, and for 15 years the Fords came to their home in Fort Myers every winter to spend time with the Edisons. They shared their families, local friends and well-known guests, including Harvey Firestone, naturalist John Burroughs, Nobel Laureate Alexis Carrel, Charles Lindbergh and others. The Ford home, "Mangoes," was purchased by the city of Fort Myers in 1988 and was opened for public tours in 1990. IPIX 360° Images:Edison/Ford Estates
Edison Museum
An artifact museum, dedicated by Charles Edison, son of the inventor, was built to preserve and house memorabilia related to Thomas Edison's life. One of the displays in the museum is Edison's unique Model T Ford, a prototype model presented to Edison by his friend, Henry Ford. Also on display is a collection of more than 200 Edison phonographs and many of his inventions.
Laboratory
The chemical laboratory is one of the most fascinating features of the Edison Estate. Here, workers helped Edison in his research on goldenrod as a source of natural rubber. Throughout the laboratory where Edison conducted his last major experiments, all of his things are just as they were in his lifetime, including his "cat-nap" cot. Because of his deafness, Edison's sleep was undisturbed and relaxed him so much that 15 minutes of sleep was as good as several hours to anyone else. IPIX 360° Images:Edison/Ford Lab
Electric Launch
In 1903, Mr. Edison purchased an electric launch, "The Reliance," from the Electric Launch Company (ELCO) of New York. The Edisons entertained their guests on the launch cruising the Caloosahatchee River. Today, the estate has four launches: one a replica of the original launch named "Reliance II" and three similar launches, "The Thomas A. Edison," "The Madeleine" and "The Marion," named after Mr. Edison and his daughters. Narrated river cruises are available Monday through Friday, weather permitting.
Historic Site
The Edison-Ford Winter Estates is listed in the National Register of Historic Sites. More than 325,000 visitors from around the world visit the estates each year.
Live History Characters
Living history characters, dressed in period costume, offer visitors a glimpse of the past, as well as insight into the private lives of Edison and Ford, and the impact they had on Fort Myers.
Staff
Edison-Ford Estates tour guides have strong backgrounds in education, science and history. In addition, the estates rely on the gracious service of many volunteers who assist in daily operations.
Homes for the Holidays
Since 1970, the estates have been an integral part of the community's holiday celebration. Each year, members of the Fort Myers Women's Community Club, in conjunction with the City of Fort Myers and the staff of the Edison-Ford Winter Estates, present a "holiday house." Themes vary from year to year, and feature more than 500,000 lights.
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.
Mailing Address: 555 Paularino Ave L1009 Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Property Manager Brian Kmetty: 239-851-3642
Reservation Phone Jamie Jones: 714-492-3463
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
Kept just as the Edison's left them, the spacious rooms are countless reminders of the years Edison and his wife Mina shared in this peaceful and serene tropical paradise. Circling the home are large overhanging porches, which, combined with the French doors on the first floor, provide a cool breeze through the home. The electric chandeliers, "electroliers," were designed by Edison and hand made of brass in his own workshop.
Edison's tropical botanical garden, one of the most complete in America, contains more than one thousand varieties of plants imported from all over the world, including African sausage trees and a Banyan tree, which was a gift from Harvey Firestone in 1925. This is now the largest banyan tree in the U.S., with the tree's aerial roots circumference at more than 400 feet. Originally, this was an experimental garden. Edison was interested in the various products and by-products of the plants, which he used in many of his scientific investigations. Later, Mrs. Edison enhanced the garden with many beautiful plants, including roses, orchids and bromeliads. 
