Southwest Florida is blessed with natural resources and breathtaking scenic views the memory of which would certainly stay with you for a long time. So much so that it has attracted people from all walks of life ever since it was settled. There is something very magical about a place that draws families, friends and individuals who want to take a nice vacation or escape the biting winter cold in other parts of the country. These include noted individuals such as Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. These two are some of the many remarkable people who have been charmed by the beauty that is southwestern Florida and their contributions are imprinted on the region’s history forever.
It all started in 1886, when the genius inventor and successful business owner Thomas Edison purchased a 13.5 acre lot in Fort Myers for his wife, Mina. Upon its completion, it was named Seminole Lodge. It is a huge cottage, almost mansion like in its splendor and it overlooks the pristine Caloosahatchee River. The Edisons would go on to spend dozens of years vacationing in this property.
At that time, transportation was difficult around the area as the population was only around 300 people and the major roads we have today were pretty much just cattle dirt trails. Also, the railroads didn’t reach far enough so most people would have to use horses, buggies and boats to reach Edison’s place. Despite this the Edisons attracted important and famous people to their home, people such as former president Herbert Hoover and from time to time, the Colgate and Kellogg families, and because of these high-profile visitors it wasn’t long until progress followed. And by 1914, 20 years after the Edisons settled, their home was already a more accessible place with longer railroads, more buildings and vehicles about. It was also the year when Henry Ford decided to take a short break from his car manufacturing business and visited the Edison family for a little summer excursion. And from this point on, Edison, Ford along with a couple of friends namely John Burroughs, a renowned conservationist and Harvey Firestone, the founder of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, went off to many off road adventures and had a great time together. The Vagabonds, as they liked calling themselves, camped outdoors, trekked through the wilderness, traveled the Everglades, hunted and fished and basically just relaxed and enjoyed themselves by being one with nature. They also collected samples for rubber along the way since they were doing rubber research which would one day become vital for vehicle manufacturing in the years to come.
Today, that property still stands and is now a museum that offers great education for all who visit. Now called the Edison and Ford Estates, this marvel of a historical site has a traditional American feel to it and it has a nice botanical garden adjacent to the homes, It also still has the old rubber laboratory they used and it was restored in a way that visitors would feel as if Thomas Edison and his friends left the laboratory just a few moments ago. The glass tubes, the equipment in tabletops and even a few notes and journals scattered all over definitely gives an immersive vibe to the place, it almost feels like traveling back in time. And, finally, in 2014, the American Chemical Society declared it a National Historic Chemical Landmark.
Many things have changed since The Vagabonds roamed the exciting and treacherous wilds of the Everglades, Naples and the surrounding area but the very thing that hasn’t is the wellness of the natural environment. The highly dedicated men and women of southwestern Florida continue to make sure to preserve all the natural gifts the region has to offer. The lush green places, the swamps and the mangrove forests, the gulls, the gators, dolphins and other wildlife are still the same sorts you would have found more than a hundred years ago. And of course, this includes the clean beaches and the glorious sunsets that no doubt The Vagabonds would have watched as they held their breaths in pure awe. Now, you too can experience the same excitement as they did if you visit Naples Florida and its surroundings.
