Audio Guide: Fort Myers Downtown Walking Tour (Self Guided), Fort Myers

Fort Myers has long attracted people looking for a straightforward place to work, think, or spend time in warm weather. Thomas Edison and Henry Ford were among the most well-known winter residents, spending seasons along the Caloosahatchee River where they worked on projects, met with friends, and followed steady routines.

The name “Fort Myers” dates back to the mid-1800s, when a U.S. Army post was built during the Seminole Wars. The fort was named after Colonel Abraham C. Myers, connected to the commanding general who oversaw military activity in the region. Although the original fort is long gone, the name stayed as the settlement grew into a permanent community.

Fort Myers’ early history includes Indigenous communities, military conflict, and gradual frontier development. After the fort was abandoned, settlers moved in to farm, fish, and establish small businesses. The arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s brought more people and investment, eventually drawing winter residents like Edison, who built his estate here in 1886. Ford followed years later, and both men helped shape the town’s identity as a quiet, practical place suited for steady work and everyday living. Through the 20th century, Fort Myers expanded into a coastal city while keeping much of its laid-back character.

Today, downtown Fort Myers mixes historic buildings with newer shops, galleries, and restaurants. The area is easy to explore on foot, with palm-lined streets, river views, and restored storefronts from the early 1900s. The atmosphere is relaxed, and many corners of the downtown still show the scale and pace of an earlier era.

Two sites in particular help illustrate the city’s story. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates include the homes, gardens, and workspaces where the two inventors spent their winters. The property offers a close look at their daily routines and the projects they worked on while living in Fort Myers. A short distance away, the Gilmer Heitman House, built in 1908, represents the confidence and optimism of the city’s early business community, with well-preserved architecture that reflects the style of the time.

As you walk through downtown and along the river, you get a sense of why people settled here and why others kept coming back. Fort Myers isn’t complicated-it’s straightforward, easy to navigate, and welcoming in a down-to-earth way. It’s the kind of place where you can take your time, look around, and quickly understand what makes it work for the people who call it home.