Down Town Fort Myers

1876- 1897 Construction was wood frame, but things were changing. Two general stores, a school, and a number of private homes were built in Fort Myers. Once the United States Post Office went up the town’s name was officially changed to Fort Myers. Hotels began to appear and the town’s population went up to 349 and they would settle along the river. 1898-1919 The population was up to 943 and the town was going through a building boom. A rail road was built which helped with the communities uprising. A power plant, several banks, commercial ice plants, and new hotels were continuing to show up in Fort Myers. 1920 – 1927 Growth radiating out in all directions from the old fort grounds was to be seen during the 1920's. Still-prominent developments such as Seminole Park, Riverside Park, Edison Park, Valencia Terrace, Allen Park, Alabama Groves and others had their beginnings in the Boom Time. It was also during this exciting period that the Seaboard Railroad came to town offering competition to Henry Plant's older Coast Line. Today three terminals from this period can still be seen in the city. The opening of Tamiami Trail, linking Ft. Myers with Tampa and Miami, added even more to the fantastic growth during this time. 1930 - 1939 Ft. Myers suffered along with the rest of the state when a combination of poor publicity, hurricanes, and inadequate planning brought a collapse to Florida's boom time. The Edison Bridge was constructed making travel to the north much more convenient. Construction began in 1936, with World War II bringing the Coast Guard to the Yacht Basin under the direction of Louis Conant. 1940 - present The big story of the 1940's in Ft. Myers, as everywhere else in the world, was World War II. Every county in Florida had air bases to take advantage of Florida's fine flying weather. Lee County's bases brought servicemen, and sometimes their families to Ft. Myers. In the years since World War II, Ft. Myers has grown along with Lee County and the rest of Southwest Florida. Gradually, vacant commercial and residential sites have been filled in. Development has been concentrated east and west along the river, and south along Cleveland Avenue. New commercial buildings and shopping centers have cropped up in all parts of the city. Fortunately, the older downtown area, and much of the city's historic districts, have retained much of their old charm. Today Downtown Ft. Myers is filled with businesses ranging from boutiques, restaurants, cafes, antiques stores, jewlers, financial houses, apartments, and professional offices to a convention center. Also Centennial Park is a popular place for visitors and residents to gather for concerts and other functions.