Fort Myers and Lee County
Facts and Information
History
Fort Myers is the county seat of Lee County. It was built in 1850 after the Third Seminole War on the site of Fort Harvie. Fort Harvie was later named for Colonel Abraham Charles Myers, then chief quartermaster in Florida. Colonel Myers was the son-in-law of the general who was in charge of the U.S. forces in Florida. Colonel Myers never visited the fort named for him. Following the end of the Third Seminole War (1858), the fort was used again during the Civil War. Although Florida was a Confederate state, Fort Myers was a Union fort, one of only four in Florida. Fort Myers is located along the Caloosahatchee River just 15 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. Caloosahatchee River, meaning "The River of the Caloosa," an early Florida Indian tribe, is the western terminus of the cross-state Okeechobee Intercoastal Waterway linking the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Fort Myers, often referred to as the "City of Palms," was made famous by the late Thomas Alva Edison, who first came to Fort Myers in 1885. Edison established residency in Fort Myers and spent several winters in his waterfront estate along the Caloosahatchee River.
Location
Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast, between Naples and Sarasota ( Lee County, between Collier and Charlotte Counties).
Areas of Interest
Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach on Estero Island, Bonita Springs & Beaches, Fort Myers, Pine Island, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island, North Fort Myers, Cabbage Key, Useppa Island, Caya Costa State Island Preserve, North Captiva Island
Geography
652,000 acres total land area, 590 miles of shoreline, 50 miles of white sand beaches, 100 + barrier and coastal islands
Mileage from Florida Cities
Miami: 148 miles (2 1/2 hours drive time)
Orlando: 167 miles ( 3 1/2 hours drive time)
Tampa: 134 miles (2 1/2 hours drive time)
Daytona: 219 miles (4 1/2 hours drive time)
Jacksonville: 311 miles (6 hours drive time)
Average Annual Air Temperatures
73.9°F Average annual temperature
83.8°F Average annual HIGH temperature
63.9°F Average annual LOW temperature
Average Annual Water Temperatures
77.5°F Average annual temperature
70.8°F Average FALL/WINTER temperature
84.1°F Average SPRING/SUMMER temperature
66.0°F Average WINTER LOW temperature
87.0°F Average SUMMER HIGH temperature
Peak Season
January 15 through April (Rates are generally 30 to 60 percent lower during off-peak season.) Reservations are essential during peak season.
Population
350,809 residents in Lee County
45,043 residents in Fort Myers
5,534 residents on Sanibel Island
79,278 residents in Cape Coral
1.5 million visitors annually
Major Access Roads
Interstate 75 and U.S. 41 ~ North-South
Alligator Alley and U.S. 41 (east of Naples) ~ East-West
Airports
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) ~ Southeast of Fort Myers, serves Lee, Charlotte and Collier Counties, opened in 1984 new terminal in September 2005 serviced by most major domestic carriers and several international charter operations.
Page Field Executive Airport ~ Near downtown Fort Myers.
Camping
More than 3,500 campsites countywide in: 40 RV parks with electrical and sewer hook-up and 17 RV parks that offer tent camping.
Golf
1,549 holes on 95 courses in Southwest Florida, including 15 public courses, 34 semi-private courses and 46 private courses.
Hotel/Motel/Condominium/Resort Accommodations
More than 20,000 rooms ranging from idyllic cottages to deluxe resort properties to condominiums to inexpensive hotels and motels.
Marinas
58 marinas, 15 of which offer boat rentals and charters.
