The Fort Myers Winter Homes Of Two Innovators - Edison & Ford Estates

House Museum

Sep 13

Thomas Edison first came to Fort Myers, Florida in 1885 with his friend and business partner, Ezra Gilliland. The well-known inventor was in search of a warm escape from the cold northern winters. On this trip to Southwest Florida he purchased more than 13 acres along the Caloosahatchee River. Edison returned to Fort Myers with his wife, Mina in 1886 and Edison and Gilliland began building houses here the same year. In 1906, Edison purchased the home Ezra built and renovated both homes creating a main and guest house incorporating elements of the Craftsman architectural style. The Edison family enjoyed ‘Seminole Lodge’ as a winter retreat for sixty years.

In 1914, Edison invited his friend Henry to visit Fort Myers. Henry, his wife Clara, and their son, Edsel, enjoyed their visit so much that in 1916, Ford purchased the adjacent home. The Ford family enjoyed ‘The Mangos’, a Craftsman-style home, until 1945, when it was sold to a private owner.

Thomas Edison died in 1931, and before Mina Edison passed, she deeded the Edison Estate to the City of Fort Myers in 1947, with nearly all of the original Edison furnishings in the Main and Guest Houses. The Edison home was opened as a house museum in 1950.

The private owner that had purchased the Ford estate, then sold it to the City of Fort Myers in the 1988. The Ford Winter Estate was opened to the public in 1990.

Both properties are on the National Register of Historic Sites and consist of 20 acres of historical buildings and gardens including the 1928 Edison Botanical Research Laboratory. Thomas Edison’s research and development center here as well as his New Jersey home and factory known as Thomas Edison Historical Park can be visited.

Here is what caught my eye; I hope you enjoy!

A view of the Edison home bordered by Royal Palm Allee, which were planted by Edison.

The water view from the riverfront property

The 50’ x 20’ swimming pool was built in 1910, and is believed to have been one of the first residential pools in the city of Fort Myers. In 1928, the Pool House was remodeled adding changing rooms, shower, and a Tea House.

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An exterior view of Edison's study

The view of the moonlight garden behind Edison’s study which was designed by Ellen Biddle Shipman. This garden was a favorite for Mina Edison and the largest formal garden on the property.

Inside Edison’s study which was built in 1928

The Edison caretaker’s house is one of the oldest buildings in Fort Myers. Edison purchased the property from cattle baron Samuel Summerlin and the original “cracker” style house was used by cattlemen as they drove their herds South. Edison expanded the house, adding a kitchen, garage, and chauffeur’s quarters. Edison’s caretakers lived on the property all year long while maintaining the estate.

Exterior views of Edison’s two-story wooden Seminole Lodge. The materials for the Main and Guest Houses were pre-cut in Maine and shipped to Fort Myers by boat and then assembled.