Journal #5

In the center of South west Florida is a town named Ft.Myers. Originally named Ft. Harvey. Usually, a town is said to be named after a famous  general or someone who has accomplished something memorable, but the name Myers came from a man, a colonel, who was engaged to a captains daughter. In 1886, the permanent settlers came to Ft.Myers. The first school was established in the 1880's, but was burned down by some kids later on. After the burning,the 300 some residents of the Ft.Myers area drove to the commission in Key West to try to get help to build another school. However, the commission turned them down and said for them to build another school on their own. Around the 1920's, Collier and Hendry county came about. A short while later, around the 1930's, after the Ft. Myers area started to become a tourist hot spot, Thomas Edison and his friend/mentor, Henry Ford came down to visit. The reason for Edison's visit was to search for bamboo. After his findings, he became interested in Ft.Myers. So interested, that he bought 13 acres of land, which is now called the Seminole Lodge. During that time, the Arcade Theater, located in downtown Ft.Myers, was a popular entertainment spot not only for the residents and visitors of the town, but also for Thomas Edison. He had a special seat in the theater rigged with a hearing aid just for him. He was kind of like the celebrity of Ft.Myers, and was treated as such. After Thomas Edison's death, his wife had the brilliant idea of creating a library, in his name. Edison Community College, now Edison State College, was born.