The happy days were not to last long for the city, though. Fort Myers was spreading like a wildfire. The construction of the Tamiami Trail Bridge in 1924 brought the city's first real estate boom. Major construction projects brought jobs and growth to the city. With the surrender of Chief Bowlegs in 1858, the last major Seminole threat in Florida was removed. I guess sometimes making history is more about who you know than what you've done. The first fort of many to come in Southwest Florida, Fort Myers The first base of operations in what came to be as the Third Seminole The Seminole would not give up their new home without a fight,Īnd the US government had not forgotten the Seminole's vengeful raidsĪcross the border while Florida flew a British flag.īy 1850, the newer settlers were starting to clash with Seminoles in the south.Ī spot along the Caloosahatchee River was chosen for the site of Traditional homes in the colonies down into Florida's mangroves andįor years they had found peace and sanctuary in this dense and desolate wilderness. Refugees, these resourceful natives had been pushed out of their Unfortunately for this effort, Florida already had inhabitants, the Seminole.Ī conglomeration of Muskogee tribes, escaped slaves and other Influx of settlers and entrepreneurs soon became a priority for the When Florida became a US Territory in 1821, protection for Florida's
Miami, South Florida, and Keys within 100 miles.
