Edison Theatre, Fort Myers
The Edison Theatre is a landmark in downtown Fort Myers and a reminder of the early years of moviegoing. Built in 1941, the theater reflects the Streamline Moderne style, a branch of Art Deco known for curved forms, horizontal bands and a sleek, modern look. Its façade helped signal a new, modern era for entertainment in the city.
Although little documentation survives about its construction, the Edison Theatre became an immediate success. With about 800 seats, it replaced older silent-film venues and offered a more comfortable space for watching feature films, newsreels and short subjects. Residents from across southwest Florida often traveled into Fort Myers to see the latest Hollywood releases, making the theater a lively gathering place for several decades.
The building took its name from Thomas Edison, but the inventor had no direct connection to the theater beyond his winter residence in the city. It was operated by E.J. Sparks, a subsidiary of Paramount Theatres, and remained active through the 1980s, even as multiplexes grew in popularity.
Today, the former theater has been converted into law offices, though the exterior still hints at its cinematic past. Visitors can find the Edison Theatre in the historic downtown district at the corner of Hendry and Main Streets.
Although little documentation survives about its construction, the Edison Theatre became an immediate success. With about 800 seats, it replaced older silent-film venues and offered a more comfortable space for watching feature films, newsreels and short subjects. Residents from across southwest Florida often traveled into Fort Myers to see the latest Hollywood releases, making the theater a lively gathering place for several decades.
The building took its name from Thomas Edison, but the inventor had no direct connection to the theater beyond his winter residence in the city. It was operated by E.J. Sparks, a subsidiary of Paramount Theatres, and remained active through the 1980s, even as multiplexes grew in popularity.
Today, the former theater has been converted into law offices, though the exterior still hints at its cinematic past. Visitors can find the Edison Theatre in the historic downtown district at the corner of Hendry and Main Streets.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Fort Myers. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Edison Theatre on Map
Sight Name: Edison Theatre
Sight Location: Fort Myers, USA (See walking tours in Fort Myers)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Fort Myers, USA (See walking tours in Fort Myers)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Fort Myers, Florida
Create Your Own Walk in Fort Myers
Creating your own self-guided walk in Fort Myers is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Fort Myers Downtown Walking Tour
Fort Myers, Florida is widely known for its beautiful beaches and proximity to popular islands. The city proudly shares its history as the winter home of inventor Thomas Edison and industrial pioneer Henry Ford. However, the interesting and complicated history of the city goes much further back than the late 19th century.
The area, like much of southeastern Florida, was the home of the Calusa... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
The area, like much of southeastern Florida, was the home of the Calusa... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles