Gilmer Heitman House, Fort Myers (must see)

The Gilmer Heitman House, completed in 1908, is one of the most notable early residences in Fort Myers. Built in the Queen Anne style, the fourteen-room structure features a wide wraparound porch supported by Ionic columns, a rounded southeast corner, and detailed interior woodwork typical of the period. Although it is not open for public tours, visitors can admire its beauty from outside. Positioned close to the Burroughs Home and Gardens and facing the Caloosahatchee River, the house now functions primarily as a waterfront wedding and event venue.

As you approach the property from First Street, pause at the edge of the front lawn and look up at the full width of the wraparound porch. You will notice the tall Ionic columns that define the façade and the curved southeast corner that softens the building’s otherwise symmetrical lines. Walk a little farther along the sidewalk and you’ll see how the elevated foundation and deep porch were designed to catch breezes from the river, a practical feature in the era before air-conditioning. From this vantage point, the house’s Queen Anne details—gable accents, decorative trim, and varied rooflines—are easy to pick out.

If you continue around the side of the property and look through the fence toward the backyard, you will get a sense of how the grounds extend toward the river. The open lawn, shaded by mature trees, helps explain why the house is now popular for outdoor ceremonies and events. You may also spot portions of the carriage entry and small garden areas that once served everyday household needs in the early 1900s.

The house was constructed for Gilmer Heitman, an influential civic and business leader in the city’s early development. Originally from North Carolina, he joined his brother Harvie in Fort Myers in 1896, later establishing the region’s first telephone service in 1900 and expanding into banking, real estate, and community planning. The home stayed in the Heitman family for decades before undergoing a major restoration in 2001 to stabilize the structure and preserve its historic features. In 2014, it began its current use as a private event venue, relying on the building’s preserved architecture and riverfront setting.