Fort Myers was built in 1850 and incorporated in 1885.  Fort Myers named in honor of Colonel Abraham C. Myers was built as a fort to fend of Seminole Indians during the Seminole Indian Wars of the 19th century.   After 7 years of fighting in 1857 Col. Myers finally made Chief Bowlegs and his warriors surrender and move west.  In the 1920's Ft. Myers completed the Calosahatchee Bridge and the first official real estate boom took place despite the Great Depression and two hurricanes.  The most famous resident, Thomas Edison, was a major factor in Fort Myers growth and development.  Edison is responsible for the royal palms lining Riverside Avenue, now known as McGregor Blvd, this is the reason for the nickname "City of Palms".

Fort Myers and Lee County have become a huge tourist attraction, with fabulous fishing and world class shopping that includes Gulf Coast Town Center, Edison Mall and the Tanger Outlets.  Downtown Fort Myers is undergoing a redevelopment,  known as the "River District" it is becoming an arts an entertainment destination.  Also, Fort Myers is the spring training destination of the Boston Red Sox and Minnisota Twins.