Editing Fort Myers, Florida

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name               = Fort Myers, Florida
| settlement_type    = [[List of municipalities in Florida|City]]
| image_skyline      = Fort Myers FL Downtown HD 1933 crths pano01.jpg
| image_caption      = Sidney and Berne Davis Art Museum in downtown Fort Myers
| image_flag         = 
| flag_alt           = 
| image_seal         = File:Seal of Fort Myers, Florida.svg
| seal_alt           = 
| nickname           = 
| motto              = "City of Palms"
| image_map          = Lee County Florida Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Fort Myers Highlighted.svg
| map_caption        = Location in [[Lee County, Florida]]
| pushpin_map        = USA Florida#USA
| pushpin_label = Fort Myers
| pushpin_relief    = yes
| coordinates        = {{coord|26|37|N|81|50|W|type:city(92,000)_region:US-TX|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes = <ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990|archive-date=August 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824085937/https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Florida}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Lee County, Florida|Lee]]
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = {{Start date and age|March 24, 1885}}
| established_title1 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date1  = {{Start date and age|August 12, 1885}}<ref name="history"/>
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Council–manager government|Council–Manager]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Kevin B. Anderson
| leader_title1      = [[City Council|Councilmembers]]
| leader_name1       = Teresa Watkins Brown,<br>Fred Burson,<br>Darla Bonk,<br>Liston “Lin” Bochette, III,<br>Terolyn Watson, and<br>Johnny W. Streets, Jr.
| leader_title2      = [[City Manager]]
| leader_name2       = Marty K. Lawing
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_12.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 31, 2021|archive-date=March 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318014648/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_12.txt|url-status=live}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi   = 49.04
| area_land_sq_mi    = 39.84
| area_water_sq_mi   = 9.20
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=United States Geological Survey|date=October 25, 2007|archive-date=February 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212191832/http://geonames.usgs.gov/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| elevation_ft       = 10
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 86395
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_density_sq_mi = 2168.44
| population_rank    = [[List of United States cities by population|370th]] in country (as of 2021)<ref name=ANNRNK>[https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2021/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2021-ANNRNK.xlsx Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places of 50,000 or More, Ranked by July 1, 2021 Population: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021], [[United States Census Bureau]], May 2022. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref>
| population_est     = 95949
| pop_est_as_of      = 2022
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name=ANNRNK/>
| timezone1          = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset1        = &minus;5
| timezone1_DST      = [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]
| utc_offset1_DST    = &minus;4
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code        = 33901-33903, 33905-33908, 33912-33913, 33916-33919, 33965-33967, 33993-33994
| area_code          = [[Area code 239|239]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 12-24125<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/fortmyerscityflorida/IPE120216|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 11, 2018|title=American FactFinder|archive-date=August 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807190402/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/fortmyerscityflorida/IPE120216|url-status=live}}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 0282700<ref name="GR3" />
| iso_code           = 
| website            = {{URL|www.fortmyers.gov}}
| footnotes          = 
| area_total_km2     = 127.00
| area_land_km2      = 103.19
| area_water_km2     = 23.81
| population_density_km2 = 837.24
}}

'''Fort Myers''' (or '''Ft. Myers''') is a city in and the [[county seat]]<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> of [[Lee County, Florida]], United States. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 86,395; it was estimated to have grown to 95,949 in 2022, making it the [[List of municipalities in Florida|25th-most populous city]] in Florida.<ref name=ANNRNK/> Together with the larger and more residential city of [[Cape Coral, Florida|Cape Coral]], it anchors the Cape Coral–Fort Myers [[metropolitan statistical area]], which encompasses Lee County and has a population of 834,573 as of 2023.

Fort Myers is a gateway to the [[Southwest Florida]] region and a major tourist destination within the state. The [[Edison and Ford Winter Estates|winter estates]] of [[Thomas Edison]] ("Seminole Lodge") and [[Henry Ford]] ("The Mangoes") are major attractions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.swflvisitor.com/attractions.php|title=Southwest Florida Visitor Center|website=Swflvisitor.com|access-date=November 17, 2017|archive-date=January 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119035615/http://www.swflvisitor.com/attractions.php|url-status=live}}</ref> The city takes its name from a local former fort that was built during the [[Seminole Wars]]. The fort in turn took its name from Colonel [[Abraham Myers]] in 1850; Myers served in the United States Army, mostly the Quartermaster Department, in various posts from 1833 to 1861 and was the quartermaster general of the [[Confederate States Army]] from 1861 to 1864.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.downtownfortmyers.com/history/|title=The History of Downtown Fort Myers|publisher=Downtown Fort Myers|access-date=December 26, 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225115827/http://www.downtownfortmyers.com/History/| archive-date= December 25, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n128 129]}}</ref><ref name="history" />

Fort Myers has substantial African American and Latin American populations. Centennial Park downtown along the [[Caloosahatchee River]], the [[IMAG History & Science Center]], [[Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium]], and other historical sites are among the attractions. The city also has a notable student population, home to [[Florida Gulf Coast University]] and [[Florida SouthWestern State College]].

==History==
According to some historians, the [[Calusa]] capital was located near Fort Myers.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brown |first1=Robin |title=Florida's First People |date=1994 |publisher=Pineapple Press, Inc. |location=Sarasota, Florida |isbn=9781561640324 |page=159}}</ref> Following European contact, Spain had colonial influence in Florida, succeeded by Great Britain and lastly the United States.

===Seminole Wars===
[[File:Blockhouse at fort myers.jpg|thumb|Blockhouse at Fort Myers]]
During the [[Second Seminole War]], between 1835 and 1842, the U.S. Army operated Fort Dulaney at [[Punta Rassa, Florida|Punta Rassa]], at the mouth of the [[Caloosahatchee River]]. When a hurricane destroyed Fort Dulaney in October 1841, army operations were moved up the Caloosahatchee River to a site named Fort Harvie.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GZhxDwAAQBAJ&q=fort+delaney+florida&pg=PT264|title=Caloosahatchee River Guidebook|last=McCarthy|first=Kevin M.|year=2014|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=9781561646531}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://palmm.digital.flvc.org/islandora/object/ucf%3A25534 |last=Dibble|first=Ernest F.|date=Fall 1999|title=Giveaway Forts: Territorial Forts and the Settlement of Florida|journal=The Florida Historical Quarterly|volume=78|issue=2|pages=207–233|jstor=30149384}}</ref> Fort Harvie was abandoned in 1842, as the Second Seminole War wound down. After a white trader was killed by [[Seminole]]s on the [[Peace River (Florida)|Peace River]] in 1849, the Army returned to the Caloosahatchee River in 1850.

Major [[David E. Twiggs]], then stationed at [[Fort Brooke]] (present day-Tampa), gave orders for two companies of artillery to "select a suitable place for the establishment of a post and immediately throw up such light works as may secure [their] stores, and remove from the Indians any temptation to which [their] isolated position may give rise."<ref>Grismer, Karl (1949). The Story of Fort Myers. St. Petersburg Print Co. Retrieved from https://digital.lib.usf.edu/SFS0036423/00001/58j {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027185447/https://digital.lib.usf.edu/SFS0036423/00001/58j |date=October 27, 2021 }}, pg. 60</ref> The new Fort Myers was built on the burned ruins of Fort Harvie.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sustar |first1=Pamela |title=Historic Lee County: The Story of Fort Myers & Southwest Florida |year=2008 |publisher=Historical Publishing Network |location=San Antonio, Texas |isbn=9781893619876 |pages=9–10 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q3EP4H02wy8C&q=fort+dulaney+florida&pg=PA9 |access-date=January 15, 2019 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229030633/https://books.google.com/books?id=q3EP4H02wy8C&q=fort+dulaney+florida&pg=PA9 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The fort was named for [[Brevet (military)|Brevet]] Colonel [[Abraham Myers|Abraham Charles Myers]], quartermaster for the Army's Department of Florida and future son-in-law of Major Twiggs.<ref>Grismer, pg. 60</ref> It covered about {{convert|139|acre|ha}}, and soon had 57 buildings, including a two-story blockhouse that was pictured in ''[[Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper]]'', and a {{convert|1000|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} wharf at which ships could dock. Irvin Solomon notes that Fort Myers was described "as 'one of the finest and largest' forts of the Seminole Wars". It was abandoned in 1858, at the end of the [[Third Seminole War]].{{sfn|Solomon|1993|pp=129–32}}

===Civil War===
During the [[American Civil War]], [[Blockade runners of the American Civil War|Confederate blockade runners]] and cattle ranchers were based in Fort Myers. These settlers prospered through trading with the Seminole and Union soldiers.<ref name="fortmyers-online.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.fortmyers-online.com/history.htm|title=Fort Myers Florida History|website=Fortmyers-online.com|access-date=November 17, 2017|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212001706/https://www.fortmyers-online.com/history.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The United States Army set up a camp on [[Useppa Island]], near the entrance to [[Charlotte Harbor, Florida|Charlotte Harbor]], in December 1863. It was intended as a place from which to recruit Union sympathizers and Confederate [[Confederate States Army#Desertion|deserters]] and [[Confederate States of America#Conscription|conscription-evaders]] and to raid into the interior and interfere with Confederate efforts to round up cattle for supply to the Confederate Army.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Taylor |first1=Paul |title=Discovering the Civil War in Florida |date=2001 |publisher=Pineapple Press Inc |location=Sarasota, FL |isbn=9781561642342 |page=193}}</ref> After some probes along the [[Peace River|Peace]] and [[Myakka River|Myakka]] rivers, which had mixed results, operations were moved to the mainland.{{sfn|Dillon|1984|pp=317–19, 324–25}} Troops from the [[47th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment]] and the 2nd Regiment of Florida Rangers, later reorganized as the [[2nd Florida Cavalry Regiment (Union)|2nd Florida Cavalry Regiment]], left [[Key West, Florida]] for Fort Myers early in January 1864. The Union soldiers reached Fort Myers quickly enough to capture three Confederate sympathizers before they could act on orders to burn the fort to keep it out of Union hands. Beyond the principal cause for occupying the fort of providing support for Union sympathizers and local residents disaffected with Confederate taxation and conscription, the fort provided access to the large cattle herds in southern Florida, support for the blockade of the southwest Florida coast being conducted by the U.S. Navy, and a haven for any escaped slaves in the area.{{sfn|Solomon|1993|pp=133, 134, 136}}

In April 1864, after the troops from the 47th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment had been transferred to Louisiana, Companies D and I of the [[2nd United States Colored Infantry Regiment]] were transferred from Key West to Fort Myers, and remained at the fort until it was abandoned.{{sfn|Solomon|1993|pp=133–34}} Company G of the regiment had also been sent to Fort Myers by early May.{{Sfn|Buker|1993|p=139}} Solomon argues that [[Brevet (military)|Brevet]] Brigadier General [[Daniel Phineas Woodbury]], commandant of the District of Key West and the Tortugas, intended that action to be an irritant to the Confederacy. The presence of the black soldiers, who made up the majority of troops used in raids into Confederate territory, played on Confederate fears of armed blacks. It was reported that Woodbury took pleasure in placing a "prickly pear cactus under the Confederate saddle".{{sfn|Solomon|1993|pp=133–34, 143}}

By the spring of 1864, Fort Myers was protected by a {{convert|500|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} [[Breastwork (fortification)|breastwork]], {{convert|7|ft}} high and {{convert|15|ft}} wide, extending in an arc around the land side of the fort. The Seminole War-era blockhouse had been repaired and another two-story blockhouse built. The fort was soon harboring more than 400 civilians and Confederate army deserters. Many of the white men enlisted in the [[2nd Florida Cavalry Regiment (Union)|2nd Florida Union Cavalry]]. Although designated as cavalry, the members of the regiment stationed at Fort Myers were never mounted. Escaped slaves that came to the fort were recruited into the [[2nd United States Colored Infantry Regiment]].{{sfn|Solomon|1993|pp=136–37, 160}}

The Union achieved control of the full length of the Mississippi River after the [[Siege of Vicksburg|fall of Vicksburg]] in July 1863. The Confederate Army then became dependent on Florida for most of its supply of beef. By the end of 1863 between 1,000 and 2,000 head of cattle were being shipped to the Confederate Army from Florida every week.{{sfn|Solomon|1993|pp=140–141}}

As 1864 progressed, Union troops and sympathizers began driving cattle to Punta Rassa to supply Union ships on blockade duty and Union-held Key West, reducing the supply of cattle available to Confederate forces. The increased shipping from Punta Rassa led the Union Army to build a barracks and a wharf there.{{sfn|Dillon|1984|p=329}} By one Confederate estimate, the Union shipped 4,500 head of cattle from Punta Rassa.{{sfn|Buker|1993|p=160}}

The [[Battle of Fort Myers]] was fought on February 20, 1865, in [[Lee County, Florida]], during the last months of the American Civil War. This small engagement is known as the "southernmost land battle of the Civil War."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myfloridahistory.org/library/flahistory/february |title=02, February in Florida History |publisher=[[Florida Historical Society]] |access-date=June 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014010803/http://myfloridahistory.org/library/flahistory/february |archive-date=October 14, 2011 }} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/893250227 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/893249502 cite #1 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref> However, see [[Battle of Palmito Ranch]].

===Settlement and founding===
The Fort Myers community was founded after the American Civil War by Captain [[Manuel A. Gonzalez]] on February 21, 1866.<ref name="news-press.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.news-press.com/story/news/2016/02/19/founders-kin-converge-city-palms/80564266/|title=Founder's kin converge at City of Palms|website=News-press.com|access-date=November 17, 2017}}</ref><ref name="bill">{{cite web |url=http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h9041__.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=9041&Session=2016 |title=HR 9041: A resolution recognizing February 21, 2016, as Fort Myers Founders' Day in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of Fort Myers |website=[[Florida House of Representatives]] |date= 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304234414/http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h9041__.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=9041&Session=2016 |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> Captain Gonzalez was familiar with the area as a result of his years of service delivering mail and supplies to the Union Army at the fort during the Seminole Indian Wars and Civil War.<ref name="news-press.com"/><ref name="bill"/>

When the U.S. government abandoned the fort following the Civil War, Gonzalez sailed from Key West to found the community.<ref name="news-press.com"/><ref name="bill"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.news-press.com/article/20120605/NEWS0110/306050003/Exclusive-History-uncovered-along-Fort-Myers-riverfront |title=Exclusive: History Uncovered along Fort Myers Riverfront| work=News-Press |date=June 5, 2012| access-date=April 17, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630003240/http://www.news-press.com/article/20120605/NEWS0110/306050003/Exclusive-History-uncovered-along-Fort-Myers-riverfront |archive-date=June 30, 2013 }}</ref> Three weeks later, Joseph Vivas and his wife, Christianna Stirrup Vivas, arrived with Gonzalez's wife, Evalina, and daughter Mary.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.news-press.com/article/20090729/SS23/907290395/Influential-local-Capt-Manuel-Gonzalez |title=Influential Local Capt. Manuel Gonzalez /Archived copy |date= July 29, 2009 |access-date=April 17, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629234948/http://www.news-press.com/article/20090729/SS23/907290395/Influential-local-Capt-Manuel-Gonzalez |archive-date=June 29, 2013 }}</ref>

Gonzalez settled his family near the abandoned Fort Myers, where he began the area's first trading post. He traded tobacco, beads, and gunpowder, and sold otter, bobcat, and gator hide to the neighboring Seminole.<ref name="fortmyers-online.com"/> A small community began to form around the trading post.

In the late 19th century, northerners began to travel to Florida in the winter. Some saw development opportunities. In 1881, the wealthy industrialist [[Hamilton Disston]] of [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], came to the Caloosahatchee Valley. He planned to dredge and drain the [[Everglades]] for development. Diston connected [[Lake Okeechobee]] with the Caloosahatchee River; this allowed steamboats to run from the Gulf of Mexico to Lake Okeechobee and up the [[Kissimmee River]].<ref name="fortmyers-online.com"/>

On August 12, 1885, the small town of Fort Myers&mdash;all 349 residents&mdash;was incorporated. At that time, it was the second-largest town on Florida's Gulf Coast south of [[Cedar Key, Florida|Cedar Key]].<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=https://fortmyers.org/live-in-fort-myers/history-of-fort-myers/|title=The History of Fort Myers - Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce|website=Fortmyers.org|access-date=November 17, 2017|archive-date=October 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006212333/https://fortmyers.org/live-in-fort-myers/history-of-fort-myers/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1885, inventor [[Thomas Alva Edison]] was cruising Florida's west coast and stopped to visit Fort Myers.<ref name="history"/> He soon bought 13 acres along the Caloosahatchee River in town. There he built his home "Seminole Lodge", as a winter retreat. It included a laboratory for his continuing work. After the lodge was completed in 1886, Edison and his wife, Mina, spent many winters in Fort Myers. Edison also enjoyed local recreational fishing, for which Fort Myers had gained a national reputation.<ref name="myriver">{{cite web|url=http://www.myriverdistrict.com/p/about/212|title=History of Ft Myers|website=Myriverdistrict.com|access-date=November 17, 2017|archive-date=November 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106060813/http://www.myriverdistrict.com/p/about/212|url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite an initial offer by Edison to light the town, on New Year's Day in 1898 Fort Myers was first electrified by the Seminole Canning Company, a local company that canned and preserved fruit.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Albion |first1=Michele W. |title=A Myth Reflects a Generation's Technological Disillusionment: Edison and the Electrification of Fort Myers |journal=The Florida Historical Quarterly |date=Summer 1997 |volume=76 |issue=1 |page=70 |url=http://palmm.digital.flvc.org/islandora/object/ucf%3A25525 |access-date=6 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=National Register of Historic Places Registration Form |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/0f4e88e0-beb7-4b1c-9d9c-43a2c1486e69 |publisher=National Park Services |access-date=6 December 2022 |page=21}}</ref>

In 1898, the Royal Palm Hotel was constructed. This luxury hotel attracted tourists and established Fort Myers nationally as a winter resort destination.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/photos/business/hotels/0965.htm|title=Royal Palm Hotel in Fort Myers|first=Florida Center for Instructional|last=Technology|website=Fcit.usf.edu|access-date=November 17, 2017|archive-date=January 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126124352/http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/photos/business/hotels/0965.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

===20th century===
On May 10, 1904, access to the Fort Myers area was greatly improved with the opening of the [[Atlantic Coast Line Railroad]], connecting [[Punta Gorda, Florida|Punta Gorda]] to Fort Myers. This route provided Lee County both passenger and freight railroad service.<ref>Turner, Gregg M. ''A Journey Into Florida Railroad History''. University Press of Florida, p. 156. {{ISBN|978-0-8130-3233-7}}</ref> The arrival of the railroad, however, also led to greater segregation in Fort Myers. With the railroad came the need for more unskilled labor and the arrival of a more uneducated workforce, compared to many African Americans who had already resided in town, some of whom had been tradespersons, vendors, and landowners. These more middle-class black citizens, as well as the new African-American laborers,  were increasingly pressured to move to the segregated area that would become known as Safety Hill. This area of town, as can be seen by contemporary photographs, had a lower quality of houses and street surfaces.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Harrison |first1=Jonathan |title=The Rise of Jim Crow in Fort Myers, 1885-1930 |journal=The Florida Historical Quarterly |date=Summer 2015 |volume=94 |issue=1|pages=40–67 |jstor=24769253 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24769253 |access-date=January 19, 2022}}</ref> The area, now known as Dunbar, is still highly segregated from the rest of Fort Myers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dean |first1=Evan |title=Segregated City: How Fort Myers neighborhoods are divided by race |url=https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2020/09/15/segregated-city-how-fort-myers-neighborhoods-are-divided-by-race/ |access-date=January 19, 2022 |agency=NBC-2 |date=February 16, 2021 |archive-date=January 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123012030/https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2020/09/15/segregated-city-how-fort-myers-neighborhoods-are-divided-by-race/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1907, the Seminole tribes' Federal Agency headquarters was relocated to Fort Myers. It remained there until 1913.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kersey |first1=Harry A. |title=The Florida Seminoles and the New Deal, 1933-1942 |date=1989 |publisher=Florida Atlantic University Press |location=Boca Raton |isbn=0813009286 |page=7}}</ref>

In 1908, the Arcade Theater was constructed in Downtown Fort Myers. Originally a vaudeville house, Edison viewed films here for the first time with friends [[Henry Ford]] and [[Harvey Firestone]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/10390|title=Arcade Theater in Fort Myers, FL - Cinema Treasures|website=cinematreasures.org|access-date=November 17, 2017|archive-date=October 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021231218/http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/10390|url-status=live}}</ref> With the growth of the film industry, the Arcade Theatre was converted into a full movie house. A wall divided the stage in order to form two screening rooms. Changes in moviegoing habits since the late 20th century have led to the renovation of the theater for use again in live performance. It is now host to the Florida Repertory Theatre, a performing arts hall.

During World War I, Edison became concerned about America's reliance on foreign supplies of rubber. He partnered with tire producer Harvey Firestone (of the [[Firestone Tire and Rubber Company]]) and Henry Ford (of the [[Ford Motor Company]]) to try to find a rubber tree or plant that could grow quickly in the United States. He sought one that would contain enough latex to support his research endeavor. In 1927, the three men contributed $25,000 each, and created the Edison Botanic Research Corporation in an attempt to find a solution to this problem.<ref name="history"/> In 1928, the Edison Botanic Research Corporation laboratory was constructed. It was in Fort Myers that Edison conducted the majority of his research and planted exotic plants and trees. He sent results and sample rubber  residues to [[West Orange, New Jersey]], for further work at his large Thomas A. Edison "Invention Factory" (now preserved in the [[Thomas Edison National Historical Park]]). Through Edison's efforts, the [[Roystonea regia|royal palms]] lining Riverside Avenue (now McGregor Boulevard) were imported and planted. They inspired Fort Myers' nickname as "City of Palms".<ref name="history"/>

After testing around 17,000 plant samples, Edison eventually discovered a source in the goldenrod plant (''[[Solidago leavenworthii]]''). The rubber project was transferred to the [[United States Department of Agriculture]] five years later.<ref name="history"/>

[[Image:Fordwinterhome2006.jpg|thumb|right|The Mangoes: Henry Ford's winter home]]
In 1916, automobile magnate Ford purchased the home next to Edison's from Robert Smith of New York. Ford named his estate "the Mangoes". Ford's craftsman-style "bungalow" was built in 1911 by Smith. Ford, Firestone, and Edison were leaders in American industry and part of an exclusive group titled "the Millionaires' Club". The three men have been memorialized in statues in downtown Fort Myers' Centennial Park.

In 1924, with the beginning of construction of the [[Edison Bridge (Florida)|Edison Bridge]], named for Edison, the city's population steadily grew. The bridge was opened on February 11, 1931, the 84th birthday of its namesake. Edison dedicated the bridge, and was the first to drive across it.

[[File:Fort Myers FL Downtown HD Kress bldg01.jpg|thumb|[[S. H. Kress & Co.]] building in downtown Fort Myers]]
In the decade following the bridge's construction, the city had a real estate boom. Several new residential subdivisions were built beyond downtown, including Dean Park, Edison Park, and Seminole Park.<ref name="myriver"/> Edison Park, located across McGregor Boulevard from the Edison and Ford properties, includes a number of Fort Myers' most stately homes.<ref>[http://www.fortmyers-online.com/mcgregor-history.htm McGregor history] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905211248/http://www.fortmyers-online.com/mcgregor-history.htm |date=September 5, 2015 }}, Fort Myers Online</ref> The population of Fort Myers City had been 575 citizens in 1890. By 1930, it had climbed to 9,082.<ref>{{cite web |last1=U.S. Census Bureau |title=1950 Census of Population: Volume 2. Characteristics of the Population |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-2/41601748v2p10ch1.pdf |access-date=16 April 2022}}</ref>

In 1947, Mina Edison deeded Seminole Lodge to the city of Fort Myers, in memory of her late husband and for the enjoyment of the public. By 1988, the adjacent Henry Ford winter estate was purchased by the city and opened for public tours in 1990. The combined properties today are known as the [[Edison and Ford Winter Estates]].

==== Hurricane Ian ====
Fort Myers suffered catastrophic damage from [[Hurricane Ian]] on September 28, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hurricane Ian made landfall in SW Florida on Sep. 28, 2022. A look at recovery one year later |url=https://www.news-press.com/story/news/2023/09/28/florida-hurricane-ian-anniversary-fort-myers-beach-sanibel-pine-island-naples-cape-coral-captiva/70826275007/ |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=The News-Press |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Geography and climate==
The approximate coordinates for the City of Fort Myers is located at {{coord|26|37|N|81|50|W|}}.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|40.4|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|31.8|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|8.6|sqmi}} (21.25%) is water.

Fort Myers has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Cfa'').<ref>{{Cite web |title=Climate Southwest Florida: Temperature, climate graph, Climate table for Southwest Florida |url=https://en.climate-data.org/north-america/united-states-of-america/southwest-florida-10209/ |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=Climate Data}}</ref>

The temperature rarely rises to {{convert|100|°F|0}} or lowers to the freezing mark.<ref name= NOAA>{{cite web |url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=tbw |title = NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = June 20, 2019 |archive-date = June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616075146/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=tbw |url-status = live }}</ref> Rainfall averages just over 57 inches per year, strongly concentrated during the rainy season (June to September) with its frequent showers and thunderstorms; on average, these four months deliver 67 percent of annual rainfall. From October to May, average monthly rainfall is less than 3.5 inches. In years with drier than average conditions from winter into mid-spring, drought can develop, and brush fires can be a significant threat. Reflecting the June to September wet season, Fort Myers has 89 days annually in which a thunderstorm is close enough for thunder to be heard, the most in the nation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weatherpages.com/variety/thunderstorms.html |title=Weather Variety - Annual Days With Thunderstorms |publisher=Weatherpages.com |access-date=June 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220124114/http://www.weatherpages.com/variety/thunderstorms.html |archive-date=February 20, 2012 }}</ref>

The monthly daily average temperature ranges fromẳ {{convert|64.7|°F|1}} in January to {{convert|83.4|°F|1}} in August, with the annual mean being {{convert|75.4|°F|1}}.

Records range from {{convert|24|°F|0}} on [[Great Freeze|December 29, 1894]] up to {{convert|103|°F|0}} on June 16–17, 1981.
{{Weather box
|location = Fort Myers, Florida ([[Page Field]]), 1991–2020 normals,{{efn|Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.}} extremes 1892–present
|single line = Y
| Jan high F = 75.0
| Feb high F = 78.0
| Mar high F = 81.1
| Apr high F = 85.3
| May high F = 89.5
| Jun high F = 91.0
| Jul high F = 91.6
| Aug high F = 91.7
| Sep high F = 90.0
| Oct high F = 86.6
| Nov high F = 81.3
| Dec high F = 77.3
|year high F = 84.9
|Jan mean F = 64.7
|Feb mean F = 67.3
|Mar mean F = 70.3
|Apr mean F = 74.8
|May mean F = 79.3
|Jun mean F = 82.3
|Jul mean F = 83.2
|Aug mean F = 83.4
|Sep mean F = 82.2
|Oct mean F = 78.0
|Nov mean F = 71.5
|Dec mean F = 67.3
|year mean F = 75.4
| Jan low F = 54.3
| Feb low F = 56.6
| Mar low F = 59.6
| Apr low F = 64.3
| May low F = 69.1
| Jun low F = 73.6
| Jul low F = 74.7
| Aug low F = 75.1
| Sep low F = 74.3
| Oct low F = 69.4
| Nov low F = 61.8
| Dec low F = 57.3
|year low F = 65.8
|Jan record high F = 88
|Feb record high F = 92
|Mar record high F = 94
|Apr record high F = 96
|May record high F = 99
|Jun record high F = 103
|Jul record high F = 101
|Aug record high F = 100
|Sep record high F = 98
|Oct record high F = 95
|Nov record high F = 95
|Dec record high F = 91
|year record high F =
|Jan record low F = 27
|Feb record low F = 27
|Mar record low F = 33
|Apr record low F = 39
|May record low F = 50
|Jun record low F = 58
|Jul record low F = 66
|Aug record low F = 65
|Sep record low F = 63
|Oct record low F = 45
|Nov record low F = 34
|Dec record low F = 24
|year record low F =
|Jan avg record high F = 84.6
|Feb avg record high F = 85.7
|Mar avg record high F = 88.0
|Apr avg record high F = 91.3
|May avg record high F = 94.8
|Jun avg record high F = 96.0
|Jul avg record high F = 95.8
|Aug avg record high F = 95.5
|Sep avg record high F = 94.1
|Oct avg record high F = 91.7
|Nov avg record high F = 87.9
|Dec avg record high F = 85.1
|year avg record high F = 96.7
|Jan avg record low F = 38.1
|Feb avg record low F = 41.5
|Mar avg record low F = 45.5
|Apr avg record low F = 53.5
|May avg record low F = 61.2
|Jun avg record low F = 69.5
|Jul avg record low F = 71.5
|Aug avg record low F = 72.3
|Sep avg record low F = 70.4
|Oct avg record low F = 57.8
|Nov avg record low F = 49.1
|Dec avg record low F = 43.0
|year avg record low F = 36.4
|precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 2.43
| Feb precipitation inch = 1.78
| Mar precipitation inch = 2.07
| Apr precipitation inch = 2.44
| May precipitation inch = 3.46
| Jun precipitation inch = 9.66
| Jul precipitation inch = 9.38
| Aug precipitation inch = 10.43
| Sep precipitation inch = 9.00
| Oct precipitation inch = 3.08
| Nov precipitation inch = 1.78
| Dec precipitation inch = 1.90
|year precipitation inch = 57.41
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 5.8
| Feb precipitation days = 5.1
| Mar precipitation days = 5.0
| Apr precipitation days = 5.0
| May precipitation days = 8.1
| Jun precipitation days = 16.7
| Jul precipitation days = 18.5
| Aug precipitation days = 18.4
| Sep precipitation days = 15.8
| Oct precipitation days = 7.7
| Nov precipitation days = 4.3
| Dec precipitation days = 5.4
| year precipitation days = 115.8
|Jan snow inch =
|Feb snow inch =
|Mar snow inch =
|Apr snow inch =
|May snow inch =
|Jun snow inch =
|Jul snow inch =
|Aug snow inch =
|Sep snow inch =
|Oct snow inch =
|Nov snow inch =
|Dec snow inch =
|year snow inch =
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days =
|Feb snow days =
|Mar snow days =
|Apr snow days =
|May snow days =
|Jun snow days =
|Jul snow days =
|Aug snow days =
|Sep snow days =
|Oct snow days =
|Nov snow days =
|Dec snow days =
|year snow days =
|source 1 = NOAA<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=tbw
| title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| access-date = May 14, 2021
| archive-date = June 16, 2019
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616075146/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=tbw
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00012835&format=pdf
| title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| access-date = May 14, 2021
| archive-date = May 15, 2021
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515003149/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00012835&format=pdf
| url-status = live
}}</ref> }}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1890 = 575
| 1900 = 943
| 1910 = 2463
| 1920 = 3678
| 1930 = 9082
| 1940 = 10604
| 1950 = 13195
| 1960 = 22523
| 1970 = 27351
| 1980 = 36638
| 1990 = 45206
| 2000 = 48208
| 2010 = 62298
| 2020 = 86395
| estyear = 2023
| estimate = 97372
| estref = <ref>https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/fortmyerscityflorida/PST045224</ref>
| footnote = source:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census Of Population And Housing|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=September 19, 2014|archive-date=July 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701194652/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Fort Myers, Florida – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Fort Myers city, Florida |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US1224125&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Fort Myers city, Florida |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US1224125&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Fort Myers city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US1224125&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|23,700
|27,786
|style='background: #ffffe6; |41,044
|49.16%
|44.60%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |47.51%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|15,751
|19,495
|style='background: #ffffe6; |18,891
|32.67%
|31.29%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |21.87%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|115
|142
|style='background: #ffffe6; |135
|0.24%
|0.23%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.16%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|453
|946
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2,085
|0.94%
|1.52%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.41%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]] (NH)
|24
|30
|style='background: #ffffe6; |16
|0.05%
|0.05%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.02%
|-
|[[Other races (U.S. Census)|Some other race]] (NH)
|128
|459
|style='background: #ffffe6; |666
|0.05%
|0.27%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.77%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|1,053
|1,002
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3,157
|2.18%
|1.61%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.65%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|6,984
|12,438
|style='background: #ffffe6; |20,401
|14.49%
|19.97%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |23.61%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''48,208'''
|'''62,298'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''86,395'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|-
|}

Fort Myers is one of two cities that make up the [[Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area]] of [[Lee County, Florida|Lee County]]. The 2020 population for the [[metropolitan statistical area]] (MSA) in 2020 was 760,822, and it was the 73rd highest populated MSA in the US, as of 2020.

The population of the [[Cape Coral-Fort Myers-Naples, FL Combined Statistical Area|Cape Coral-Fort Myers-Naples, FL]] [[Combined Statistical Area]] in 2020 was 1,188,319, and it was the 47th highest populated [[combined statistical area]] (CSA) in the US, as of 2020.

As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 86,395 people, 31,598 households, and 18,313 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Fort Myers city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Fort+Myers+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1101|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 62,298 people, 24,352 households, and 14,192 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Fort Myers city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Fort+Myers+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2010.S1101|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

==Government==
[[File:Fort Myers Police Department.jpg|thumb|[[Fort Myers Police Department]]]]
Fort Myers has a [[council–manager government]] in which the city council consists of a mayor and six council members. The city council is responsible for establishing policy, passing local ordinances, voting appropriations, and developing an overall vision for the city. The [[List of mayors of Fort Myers, Florida|mayor]] is elected by registered voters city-wide. The mayor of Fort Myers is Kevin B. Anderson. Council members are elected by registered voters in their ward and represent that particular ward for a four-year term. Council members must continue to reside in that particular ward.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=December 2, 2019 |title=City Council |url=https://www.cityftmyers.com/140/City-Council |website=City of Fort Myers |archive-date=September 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903041917/https://www.cityftmyers.com/140/City-Council |url-status=live }}</ref>

Policing of Fort Myers is performed by the [[Fort Myers Police Department]].

==Education==

===Secondary schools===
[[File:Bishop Verot.JPG|thumb|[[Bishop Verot Catholic High School]]]]
''See: [[School District of Lee County (Florida)|Lee County School District]]'' for other public schools in the area.
:Secondary schools in the city include:
* [[Dunbar High School (Fort Myers, Florida)|Dunbar High School]], an [[International Baccalaureate]] school
* [[Fort Myers Senior High School]], an [[International Baccalaureate]] school
* [[Bishop Verot High School]], a private, [[Roman Catholic]] high school in Fort Myers, operated by the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Venice in Florida|Diocese of Venice, Florida]]

===Higher education===
<!-- This is for schools located in the city of Fort Myers. Schools outside of the city limits, such as Florida Gulf Coast University or Florida Southwestern State College, are listed in the Lee County article -->
Institutions of higher learning in the city include:
* [[Hodges University]]
* [[Keiser University]]<ref name="Keiser">{{cite web|url=http://www.keiseruniversity.edu/fort-myers.php|title=Keiser University- Ft. Myers|publisher=Keiser University|access-date=April 3, 2010|archive-date=February 16, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216170745/http://keiseruniversity.edu/fort-myers.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Nova Southeastern University]]<ref name="NSU">{{cite web|url=http://www.nova.edu/sec/fortmyers/index.html|title=NSU Campus info|publisher=Nova Southeastern University|access-date=August 3, 2011|archive-date=August 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809131601/http://www.nova.edu/sec/fortmyers/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Rasmussen College]]<ref name="Rasmussen">{{cite web|url=http://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/florida/fort-myers/|title=Rasmussen College- Ft. Myers campus|access-date=June 25, 2010|archive-date=June 21, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621074333/http://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/florida/fort-myers|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Southern Technical College]]
*[[Fort Myers Technical College]]<ref name="Logan">{{cite web|url=http://www.news-press.com/story/news/education/2015/06/08/fort-myers-cape-coral-technical-institutes-now-colleges/28703411/|title=Fort Myers, Cape Coral technical institutes now colleges|last=Logan|first=Casey|date=June 8, 2015|publisher=News-Press|access-date=June 9, 2015}}</ref>

[[Florida Gulf Coast University]] is situated in unincorporated Lee County, just outside Fort Myers' city limits.

=== Libraries ===
<!-- This is for libraries located in the city of Fort Myers. Libraries outside of the city limits don't belong here -->
Library Services include:
* Fort Myers Regional Library: The Fort Myers Regional Library is the hub for the [[Lee County Library System (Florida)|Lee County Library System]], holding the main collections of legal, business, news, and financial information. The library is located in downtown Fort Myers.<ref name="Fort Myers Regional Library">{{cite web |url=https://www.leegov.com/library/branches/fm |title=Fort Myers Regional Library |website=[[Lee County, Florida]] |access-date=March 2, 2018 |archive-date=March 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303050503/https://www.leegov.com/library/branches/fm |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Dunbar-Jupiter Hammon Public Library: The library opened on October 7, 1974. The founders named the library in honor of the first African poet to have his work published, [[Jupiter Hammon]]. Dunbar, the community's name, was added at the request of its residents. The library was moved in 1996 to its current location on Blount Street. It is home to the largest African-American book collection in southwest Florida.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.leegov.com/library/about/branches/db |title=Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Public Library |website=Leegov.com |access-date=April 20, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413071130/http://www.leegov.com/library/about/branches/db |archive-date=April 13, 2016 }}</ref>

==Sports==
The [[City of Palms Classic]] is an annual high school basketball tournament held in Fort Myers since 1973. By 2015, 120 players that had participated in the tournament had been named [[McDonald's All-American Game|McDonald's All-Americans]] and 94 had been drafted into the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fisher |first1=Adam |title=City of Palms basketball: Looking back at 22 years at Bishop Verot |url=https://archive.naplesnews.com/sports/high-school/boys-basketball/city-of-palms-basketball-looking-back-at-22-years-at-bishop-verot-272f03e5-17dc-6ac6-e053-0100007f72-362937661.html/ |website=Naples News |publisher=Naples Daily News |access-date=9 September 2022}}</ref>

The Florida Eels is a [[Junior ice hockey#Tier III|Tier III junior hockey]] program in the [[United States Premier Hockey League|USPHL]] with two teams; one in the Premier Division and one in the Elite Division. Both teams have performed well in their regular season and playoffs, advancing to Nationals on multiple occasions. The Fort Myers Skatium is their home rink.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.floridaeelsjrhockey.com/page/show/1349335-home | title=Home }}</ref>

[[JetBlue Park]] is the [[spring training]] home of the [[Boston Red Sox]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/spring-training/ballpark |title=JetBlue Park at Fenway South|website=[[MLB.com]] }}</ref> During the summer, JetBlue Park is home of the [[Florida Complex League Red Sox]], the Red Sox's [[rookie league]] team competing in the [[Florida Complex League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/affiliate.cgi?id=BOS |title=Boston Red Sox Minor League Affiliates}}</ref>

==Points of interest==
[[File:Fort Myers FL Murphy-Burroughs House porch04.jpg|thumb|Murphy-Burroughs House]]
* The [[Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.calusanature.org |title=Welcome to Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium |publisher=Calusanature.com |access-date=June 12, 2012 |archive-date=June 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621193307/http://www.calusanature.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> is a private, not-for-profit, environmental education organization. Set on a {{convert|105|acre|km2|adj=on}} site, it has a museum, three nature trails, a [[planetarium]], butterfly and bird [[aviaries]], a gift shop and meeting and picnic areas.
* [[City of Palms Park]], former home of the [[Boston Red Sox]] spring training program, close to downtown Fort Myers
* [[Edison and Ford Winter Estates]]
* [[Edison Mall]]
* [[Fort Myers Downtown Commercial District|Historic Downtown]], waterfront entertainment district
* [[Murphy-Burroughs House]]
* [[IMAG History & Science Center]]
* [[Southwest Florida Museum of History]]

==Public transportation==

===Airports===
The Fort Myers metropolitan area is served by two nearby airports. [[Southwest Florida International Airport]] (RSW) is located southeast of the city. The airport, which sits on 13,555 acres of land, is the [[List of the busiest airports in the United States|45th busiest airport]] in the United States (by annual passengers). In 2018 the airport served 9,373,178 passengers. [[Page Field]] is a small [[general aviation]] airport whose primary traffic consist of smaller aircraft.

===Ground transport===
Buses run by [[LeeTran]] provide local service in Fort Myers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rideleetran.com/routeSchedules.htm|title=LeeTran|website=Lee County Southwest Florida|access-date=November 17, 2017|archive-date=April 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429134942/http://www.rideleetran.com/routeSchedules.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Fort Myers in popular culture==

===In film===
* The abandoned city scene with the Edison Theatre, from the movie ''[[Day of the Dead (1985 film)|Day of the Dead]]'' (1985) was filmed in downtown Fort Myers.<ref name="Stetson">{{cite web|url=http://fortmyers.floridaweekly.com/news/2011-09-07/Arts_%28and%29_Entertainment_News/STARRING_SW_FLORIDA.html|title=STARRING SW FLORIDA|last=Stetson|first=Nancy|date=September 7, 2011|publisher=Florida Weekly|access-date=July 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727200315/http://fortmyers.floridaweekly.com/news/2011-09-07/Arts_(and)_Entertainment_News/STARRING_SW_FLORIDA.html|archive-date=July 27, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Some courthouse and other "city" scenes in ''[[Just Cause (film)|Just Cause]]'' (1995) were filmed in downtown Fort Myers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.visitfortmyers.com/production-credits|title=Production Credits - The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel|website=visitfortmyers.com|access-date=November 17, 2017|archive-date=November 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119151345/https://www.fortmyers-sanibel.com/production-credits|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Part of the independent film ''[[Trans (film)|Trans]]'' (1999) was filmed in Fort Myers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmfortmyers.com/images/filmhistory.pdf|title=Filmed in Fort Myers - Film Fort Myers|website=Filmfortmyers.com|access-date=November 17, 2017|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804084010/http://www.filmfortmyers.com/images/filmhistory.pdf|archive-date=August 4, 2016}}</ref>
* The animated film [[Leo (2023 American film)|''Leo'']] (2023) is set in Fort Myers, with one of the main locations in the film being the fictional Fort Myers Elementary School.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Critic |first=James Verniere {{!}} Movie |date=2023-11-21 |title=Adam Sandler's 'Leo' a surefire hit for Netflix |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/11/21/adam-sandlers-leo-a-surefire-hit-for-netflix/ |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=Boston Herald |language=en-US}}</ref>

===In print===
* Fort Myers is part of the setting of ''Red Grass River: A Legend'' (1998), a novel by [[James Carlos Blake]].<ref>{{cite book|author=James Carlos Blake|title=Red Grass River: A Legend|url=https://archive.org/details/redgrassriverleg00blak|url-access=registration|publisher=Avon|location= New York|year= 1998|isbn=9780380974931}}</ref>

==Notable people==

===Present===
{{div col}}
<!-- All people MUST meet [[Wikipedia:Notability]] requirements. If the person has a Wikipedia article, then wiki link the name (see [[Help:Links#Wikilinks]]), otherwise you MUST add a good reference to prove notability (see [[Wikipedia:External links]] and [[Wikipedia:Verifiability]]). -->

* [[Nate Allen (safety)|Nate Allen]], safety for [[Miami Dolphins]]
* [[Haley Bennett]], actress
* [[Jason Bartlett (baseball)|Jason Bartlett]], [[Tampa Bay Rays]] shortstop
* [[Bob Beamon]], [[track and field]] athlete, gold medalist in [[1968 Summer Olympics]] long jump, world record holder 1968 to 1991
* [[Liston Bochette]], Olympian; Fort Myers City Council member<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cityftmyers.com/1308/Ward-4 |title=City Councilperson |access-date=July 24, 2021 |archive-date=July 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724064757/https://cityftmyers.com/1308/Ward-4 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Bert Blyleven]], [[Baseball Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] pitcher for [[Minnesota Twins]], [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]], [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], [[Cleveland Indians]] and [[California Angels]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/broadcasters.jsp?c_id=min#blyleven |title=Broadcasters &#124; twinsbaseball.com: Team |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |access-date=July 29, 2010 |archive-date=March 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100320150347/http://mlb.mlb.com/team/broadcasters.jsp?c_id=min#blyleven |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[James Carlos Blake]], author and former faculty member of Edison Community College
* [[Phillip Buchanon]], [[cornerback]] for the [[Washington Redskins]], [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]], [[Houston Texans]], [[Oakland Raiders]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/27/sports/colleges-hurricanes-buchanon-might-be-the-best-of-the-best.html | work=The New York Times | title=COLLEGES; Hurricanes' Buchanon Might Be the Best of the Best | first=Charlie | last=Nobles | date=November 27, 2001 | access-date=April 2, 2010 | archive-date=April 17, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417110838/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/27/sports/colleges-hurricanes-buchanon-might-be-the-best-of-the-best.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Stacy Carter]], former [[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWE]] wrestler<ref name="Lawler, Jerry (2002). It's Good to Be the King...Sometimes.">{{cite book |last=Lawler |first=Jerry |title=It's Good to be the King...Sometimes |publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-7434-5768-2 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/itsgoodtobekings00lawl }}</ref>
* [[Stew Cliburn]], Baseball player and coach.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/1b195e7a |title=Stew Cliburn at Society for American Baseball Research |access-date=September 22, 2019 |archive-date=September 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922172818/https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/1b195e7a |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Terrence Cody]], [[nose tackle]] for [[Baltimore Ravens]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/andy_staples/09/25/cody/index.html | work=CNN | title='Bama's mountain of a nosetackle: 365-pound Terrence Cody | access-date=April 2, 2010 | date=September 25, 2008 | archive-date=August 28, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828074207/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/andy_staples/09/25/cody/index.html | url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Casey Coleman (baseball)|Casey Coleman]], former pitcher for [[Chicago Cubs]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=colemca01|title= Casey Coleman Stats|publisher= Baseball Almanac|access-date= November 26, 2012|archive-date= October 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009095646/http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=colemca01|url-status= live}}</ref>
* [[Noel Devine]], [[running back]] for CFL's [[Montreal Alouettes]]<ref>[http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=121513 Peek into inner circle shows Noel Devine's no deviant] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071002140041/http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=121513 |date=October 2, 2007 }}, August 28, 2006</ref>
* [[Richard Fain]], former NFL player
* [[Earnest Graham]], NFL running back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
* [[Mike Greenwell]], former [[Boston Red Sox]] left fielder and [[NASCAR]] driver<ref>{{cite web |author=Mark Aumann, NASCAR.COM |url=http://www.nascar.com/2006/news/headlines/truck/05/17/mgreenwell.mans/index.html |title=Ex-ballplayer Greenwell to make Truck debut - May 17, 2006 |publisher=Nascar.Com |date=May 17, 2006 |access-date=July 29, 2010 |archive-date=May 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525054611/http://www.nascar.com/2006/news/headlines/truck/05/17/mgreenwell.mans/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Nolan Henke]], professional golfer<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/golf/players/playerpage/PGA/2009/132035 |title=Nolan Henke - Golf - CBSSports.com PGA |publisher=Cbssports.com |access-date=July 29, 2010}}</ref>
* [[Anthony Henry (American football)|Anthony Henry]], cornerback, [[Detroit Lions]], [[Dallas Cowboys]], [[Cleveland Browns]]
* [[Adam Johnson (baseball)|Adam Johnson]], former pitcher for Minnesota Twins<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/johnsad01.shtml|title=Adam Johnson Stats - Baseball-Reference.com|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=November 17, 2017|archive-date=July 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720081713/https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/johnsad01.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Tarah Kayne]], figure skater, 2016 national champion
* [[Jevon Kearse]], [[defensive end]], Philadelphia Eagles, [[Tennessee Titans]]
* [[Terri Kimball]], ''[[Playboy]]'' [[Playboy Playmate|Playmate of the Month]] for May 1964<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.playboy.com/girls/playmates/directory/196405.html |title=Terri Kimball - Terri Kimball Nude - Terri Kimball Pics |publisher=Playboy.com |date=January 27, 2009 |access-date=July 29, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117035301/http://www.playboy.com/girls/playmates/directory/196405.html |archive-date=January 17, 2010 }}</ref>
* [[Derek Lamely]], professional golfer<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pgatour.com/golfers/027797/derek-lamely/ |title=Derek Lamely |publisher=PGA Tour |access-date=November 26, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019061042/http://www.pgatour.com/golfers/027797/derek-lamely/ |archive-date=October 19, 2012 }}</ref>
* [[Craig Leon]], music and visual producer of the [[Ramones]], [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]], [[Luciano Pavarotti]], [[Joshua Bell]]
* [[George McNeill (golfer)|George McNeill]], professional golfer
* [[Peter Mellor]], English-born American footballer and coach
* [[Terry-Jo Myers]], professional golfer, winner of three [[LPGA Tour]] tournaments<ref>[http://www.lpga.com/content/oldplayerbios/myersterryjofinal.pdf LPGA Tour profile for Terry-Jo Myers] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629135635/http://www.lpga.com/content/oldplayerbios/myersterryjofinal.pdf |date=June 29, 2011 }}</ref>
* [[Seth Petruzelli]], professional [[Mixed Martial Arts|MMA]] fighter<ref>{{cite web |last=Wetzel |first=Dan |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=dw-kimbo100508&prov=yhoo&type=lgns |title=Final curtain for the Kimbo show - UFC - Yahoo! Sports |date=October 5, 2008 |publisher=Sports.yahoo.com |access-date=July 29, 2010 |archive-date=October 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009171354/http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=dw-kimbo100508&prov=yhoo&type=lgns |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Plies (rapper)|Plies]] (Algernod Lanier Washington), rapper<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.warnermusic.ca/plies# |title=Warner Music Canada - Plies |publisher=Warnermusic.ca |access-date=July 29, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607004852/http://www.warnermusic.ca/plies |archive-date=June 7, 2011 }}</ref>
* [[Lennie Rosenbluth]] (born 1933), college and [[NBA]] basketball player
* [[Deion Sanders]], Hall of Fame NFL cornerback for six teams, inducted to Pro Football Hall of Fame as a Dallas Cowboy, and Major League Baseball [[outfielder]] for five teams<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00016459.html |title=ESPN.com: Where Sanders goes, teams win |publisher=Espn.go.com |date=August 9, 1967 |access-date=July 29, 2010 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229030627/https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00016459.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Peggy Schoolcraft]], professional bodybuilder, 1997 [[National Physique Committee|NPC]] Team Universe Champion<ref name="bb.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/peggy.htm|title=Peggy Schoolcraft IFBB Pro Bodybuilder|date=October 9, 2002|publisher=Bodybuilding.com|access-date=September 8, 2011|archive-date=January 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116034822/http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/peggy.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Getbig">{{cite web|url=http://www.getbig.com/results/womens/msinternational.htm|title=2001 Ms. International results|date=March 2, 2001|publisher=Getbig.com|access-date=September 8, 2011|archive-date=September 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924070846/http://www.getbig.com/results/womens/msinternational.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Chad Senior]], two-time Olympian (Sydney Australia, 2000 - Athens Greece, 2004), competed in pentathlon
* [[Vonzell Solomon]], ''[[American Idol]]'' third-place finisher<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.americanidol.com/archive/contestants/season4/vonzell_solomon/ |title=Vonzell Solomon |publisher=American Idol |access-date=July 29, 2010 |archive-date=July 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100702143436/http://www.americanidol.com/archive/contestants/season4/vonzell_solomon/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Greg Spires]], former NFL player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2006/aug/04/spires/|title=In-Spires|website=Naplesnews.com|access-date=November 17, 2017|archive-date=April 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403032740/http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2006/aug/04/spires/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Elissa Steamer]], professional skateboarder
* [[Mike Venafro]], former relief pitcher for [[Oakland Athletics]] and 4 other MLB teams{{Citation needed|date=September 2022|reason=Residency in Fort Myers}}
* [[Dan Vogelbach]], MLB player
* [[Noah Waddell]], pianist
* [[Jaylen Watkins]], [[Safety (gridiron football position)|safety]] for [[Los Angeles Chargers]]
* [[Sammy Watkins (American football)|Sammy Watkins]], [[wide receiver]] for [[Buffalo Bills]], [[Los Angeles Rams]], Kansas City Chiefs
* [[Tommy Watkins]], former [[Minnesota Twins]] baseball player<ref>{{cite web |author=Lisa Winston |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-409205 |title=Article &#124; MiLB.com News &#124; The Official Site of Minor League Baseball |publisher=[[Minor League Baseball]] |date=February 15, 2010 |access-date=July 29, 2010 |archive-date=May 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519143852/http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080604&content_id=409205&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Jeremy Ware (American football)|Jeremy Ware]], cornerback for [[Oakland Raiders]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WareJe99.htm|title=Jeremy Ware Stats - Pro-Football-Reference.com|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=November 17, 2017|archive-date=August 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813105546/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WareJe99.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Walt Wesley]], professional basketball player (1966–1976) for [[Cincinnati Royals]] and six other NBA teams<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/weslewa01.html |title=Walt Wesley NBA & ABA Statistics |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=July 29, 2010 |archive-date=May 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100501020244/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/weslewa01.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Cliff Williams]], bass player for [[AC/DC]]
* [[Julio Zuleta]], former first baseman for [[Chicago Cubs]]
{{div col end}}

===Past===

* [[Verna Aardema]], children's book author
* [[Patty Berg]], Hall of Fame golfer, one of [[LPGA]]'s founders
* [[Gerard Damiano]], adult film director
* [[Thomas Edison]], improved and perfected the incandescent [[light bulb]] and [[audio recording]] methods, had a winter estate next to Henry Ford's
* [[Harvey Firestone]], founded [[Firestone Tire and Rubber Company|Firestone Tire Company]], had a winter estate near Edison and Ford's homes<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/legacies/FL/200002844.html |title=Florida: Edison Pageant of Light (Local Legacies: Celebrating Community Roots - Library of Congress) |publisher=Lcweb2.loc.gov |access-date=July 29, 2010 |archive-date=July 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729064954/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/legacies/FL/200002844.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Henry Ford]], founded the [[Ford Motor Company]], and father of the [[assembly line]], had a winter estate next to Thomas Edison's
* [[Charles Ghigna]], poet and children's author known as "Father Goose;" boyhood home 1950-1973
* [[Mario Henderson]], offensive tackle, Oakland Raiders<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/players/mariohenderson/profile?id=HEN115292 |title=Mario Henderson |work=Nfl.com |date=October 29, 1984 |access-date=July 29, 2010 |archive-date=April 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427173137/http://www.nfl.com/players/mariohenderson/profile?id=HEN115292 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Sara Hildebrand]], United States [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] diver (2000, 2004)<ref name="swimmingworld">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/hildebrand-hired-as-first-diving-coach-at-florida-gulf-coast/|title=Hildebrand Hired as First Diving Coach at Florida Gulf Coast|date=August 31, 2006|magazine=Swimming World|access-date=March 2, 2018|archive-date=March 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303002831/https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/hildebrand-hired-as-first-diving-coach-at-florida-gulf-coast/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Jan Hooks]], American actress and comedian, best known for [[Saturday Night Live]]
* [[Andrew Jacobson]] (born 1985), Major League Soccer player
* [[Jerry Lawler]], [[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWE]] wrestler and announcer<ref name="Lawler, Jerry (2002). It's Good to Be the King...Sometimes."/>
* [[Clyde Everett Lassen|Clyde Lassen]], [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] [[Commander]], [[Medal of Honor]] recipient
* [[Denise Masino]], professional bodybuilder
* [[Mindy McCready]], [[country music]] artist<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2007-07-25-mindy-mccready_N.htm | work=USA Today | title=Singer Mindy McCready taken into custody | date=July 26, 2007 | access-date=May 2, 2010 | archive-date=December 29, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229030547/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2007-07-25-mindy-mccready_N.htm | url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Norma Miller]], Lindy Hop dancer, choreographer, actress, author, and comedian known as the Queen of Swing
* [[Diamond Dallas Page]], former [[World Championship Wrestling|WCW]] and [[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWE]] wrestler, actor
* [[Kimberly Page]], former member of the [[World Championship Wrestling|WCW]] [[Nitro Girls]] and ''[[Playboy]]'' model
* [[Charles Rogers (wide receiver)|Charles Rogers]], Former NFL running back
* [[Marius Russo]], professional baseball player
* [[Jean Shepherd]], storyteller, humorist, media personality
* [[Walt Wesley]], professional basketball player

==Sister cities==
Fort Myers has a sister city agreement with:
*{{flagicon|Belarus}} [[Gomel]] (Belarus)<ref>{{cite news|publisher=News-Press|date=June 29, 2016|title=Fort Myers has new 'sister' in Belarus|url=https://www.news-press.com/story/money/2016/06/29/fort-myers-has-new-sister-belarus/86484660/|access-date=November 16, 2020}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Dominican Republic}} [[Santiago de los Caballeros]] (Dominican Republic)

== Notes ==
=== Explanatory notes ===
{{notelist}}

=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

== General and cited sources==
*{{Cite book|title=Blockaders, Refugees, & Contrabands: Civil War on Florida's Gulf Coast, 1861-1865|last=Buker|first=George E.|publisher=The University of Alabama Press|year=1993|isbn=0-8173-1296-X|location=Tuscaloosa, Alabama}}
*{{Cite journal|last=Dillon|first=Rodney E. Jr. |date=January 1984|title="The Little Affair": The Southwest Florida Campaign, 1863–1864|journal=The Florida Historical Quarterly|volume=62|issue=3|pages=314–31|jstor=30146289}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Solomon |first1=Irvin D. |title=Southern Extremities: The Significance of Fort Myers in the Civil War |journal=The Florida Historical Quarterly |date=October 1993 |volume=72 |issue=2 |pages=129–152 |url=http://palmm.digital.flvc.org/islandora/object/ucf%3A25506}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|c=Category:Fort Myers, Florida|wikt=no|v=no|n=no|q=no|s=no|b=no|voy=Fort Myers}}
* {{Official website|http://www.fortmyers.gov}}
* [http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.fl_capecoral_msa.htm Fort Myers Economy at a Glance, U.S. Department of Labor]

{{Lee County, Florida}}
{{Florida county seats}}
{{Portal bar|Florida}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Fort Myers, Florida| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Florida]]
[[Category:Cities in Lee County, Florida]]
[[Category:County seats in Florida]]
[[Category:1866 establishments in Florida]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1866]]
[[Category:Second Seminole War fortifications]]