These posts are related to the history of Fort Myers Beach
Mound Key is well known as the capital of the Calusa Indians. However, recently archaeologists from Florida and Georgia have discovered that this small island in the middle of Estero Bay was also the location of one of the first Jesuit missions in North America. The Spanish fort, known as Fort San Anton de Carlos […]
Spanish Fort Discovered on Mound Key Read More »
One of the oldest buildings on the beach is now home to Junkanoos and the Fresh Catch Bistro. Back in the day, this building housed the Pelican Hotel and Restaurant which was originally a honeymoon houseboat operated by “Ma” Turner. The houseboat was rolled up to the present site on logs in 1933. During the
I honestly don’t remember too much about how we dealt with the aftermath of Donna. Our trailer was uninhabitable, so we moved into a friend’s home on Connecticut. They were snowbirds and were up north at the time and generously offered their home while we figured out what we were going to do. What I
Aftermath of Donna Read More »
Today is September 10, the anniversary of two hurricanes that affected Fort Myers Beach 47 years apart. Heralded by some meteorologists as the “peak of hurricane season,” September 10 will always be a date that causes me to stop and reflect on how vulnerable coastal cities are when it comes to hurricanes. I was in
Hurricane Donna: After the Storm Read More »
One of the first restaurants on Fort Myers Beach was called Nettie’s. Located on the beach at the end of what is now Palermo Drive, Nettie’s was a popular place for sunbathers, fishermen, and anyone else who was spending the day on the island. The restaurant was opened by Nettie (Antoinette) Pavese shortly after the