The staff here is amazing! I had no idea this quaint place was here. I come here often to study. I…read moreenjoy seeing children of all ages engaged in fun activities. Parking Is plentiful and accessible.

Lee County began taking shape long before its official creation in 1887, when it was formed out of…read moremassive Monroe County and named after the famous Confederate general after residents pushed for a government that wasn't anchored down south in Key West. The area had already seen centuries of Calusa presence, later Seminole settlement, and the rise of Cuban fishing ranchos along the coast during the Spanish period. Today the county stretches across a wide sweep of Southwest Florida, with Fort Myers as its historic seat and Cape Coral as its largest and fastest growing city. With family living in Cape Coral for several years now, it has made Cape Coral and Fort Myers among my most reviewed cities (over 200 each!). The county's history has become something I have encountered not just in books but in the rhythm of family visits and familiar streets. The Lee County Courthouse, completed in 1915, stands as one of the county's most recognizable civic buildings. Its architecture leans toward the restrained classical style that early twentieth century Florida favored, with a symmetrical facade and a sense of grounded permanence that young counties often wanted to project. Built just before the region's major growth spurts, the courthouse became a visual anchor as Fort Myers expanded around it. Even now, the building carries that early ambition in its proportions and materials, offering a quiet reminder of the county's transition from frontier settlement to established Gulf Coast community. The grounds are busy with war memorials and time capsules and the remarkable tree that has been retained and made permanent. Lee County hosts spring training for the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins. Cape Coral's steady rise has made it possible to watch a city grow in real time. And the courthouse, with its century of service, adds a layer of architectural continuity to a region that changes quickly. Taken together, the history, the civic architecture, and my own ties to the area make Lee County a lovely place to visit. [Round number review 1600 of 2025 - 2178 in Florida - 25148 overall]

I love architecture from the early 1900's, especially stately old courthouses. This is the Old Lee…read moreCounty Courthouse located at 2120 Main Street in Fort Myers, Florida. Lee County was named for Confederate Civil War General Robert E. Lee. The State of Florida created Lee County on May 13, 1887. At the the time the county had a population of 1,414 people. The first County Courthouse was built on this site for $3,640 in 1894. On October 26, 1914 citizens who were frustrated with the outdated courthouse tore it down and demanded a more modern facility. On April 13, 2015 the cornerstone was laid for the new courthouse which was designed by Francis J. Kennard in a Classical Revival style at a cost of a hundred thousand dollars. The new courthouse opened in 1916. In 1926 a thirty five thousand dollar addition was added to the back of the building. From 1916 to 1963, the Old Courthouse was a segregated facility. During that time African-Americans were restricted to the balcony while white citizens sat underneath. The courthouse was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1989. The courthouse celebrated it's 100th anniversary in December of 2015. A reception was held and tours of the courthouse were given. As part of the 100th anniversary, the Lee County Clerk of the Court's office collected items for a time capsule that was sealed in the clerk's vault in the building's basement. A previous 1915 Time Capsule was discovered during a a $5,000,000 renovation in 1989. The contents are on display on the 2nd floor of the courthouse. In front of the courthouse is a two story art piece by Marlin Miller called. American Bald Eagle. Miller is an artist who is well known for carving animals out of damaged oak trees. He did a series of sculptures after Hurricane Katrina. The sculpture in front of the courthouse is a soaring American bald eagle. It was carved by chainsaw from a 200 year old oak tree that was scheduled to be cut down due to termite infestation. Miller did not charge the county for carving the piece. He started carving on June 9, 2011 and completed it five days later on June 14th. The courthouse is currently closed due to the pandemic. When it is open you can print a self guided tour map from the internet and take a self guided tour 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., Monday through Friday.

This somewhat faded sign points out that something used to be here but has since been moved. It is…read morelocated near where the southbound Edison Bridge lands in Fort Myers. It is next to a professional office and with an empty lot across the street so that's only slightly creepy. The marker reads, "During the Seminole Wars, this was the site of a military cemetery for soldiers of Fort Harvie, 1841-42, and Fort Myers, 1850-58. The cemetery was located outside the breastworks of the respective forts which were in the vicinity of the present Federal Building in downtown Fort Myers. When Fowler Street was cut through, the graves were moved to the civilian cemetery on Michigan Avenue." The original Fort Harvie was build on the grounds that no compromise downtown Fort Myers. The post was then renamed Ft. Myers in honor of Colonel Abraham C. Myers, who was soon to wed the daughter of Major General David E. Twiggs, then commanding Fort Brooke (Tampa). The expanded fort eventually became quite an impressive base. At it's peak, it featured a 1,000 foot wharf, and more than 50 buildings constructed of hardy yellow pine. The cleared ground around the fort fell roughly within the area bounded by the present day Hough, Monroe and Second streets. [Review 15786 overall - 1366 in Florida - 1290 of 2021.]

Chief Billy Bowlegs also known as Halpudo Micco or Alligator Chief is a colorful part of Fort Myers…read morehistory. He was born in north Florida in 1810. He became famous as a 19th century chief during the Second and Third Seminole Wars. In 1830, President Andrew Johnson signed the Indian Removal Act which forced Native Americans to move from their tribal lands to territories in Oklahoma. The war was sparked over tension between the Native Americans of the area and the white settlers who were moving in. In an effort to get the Seminoles to move out west, Florida legislature signed off on a law making it illegal for Seminoles to hold residence in Florida and outlawed trading with tribal members. Billy Bowlegs refused to go out west on The Trail of Tears, so named because many of the Native Americans died on the trek. He opted instead to fight and hide with his people. The Seminoles were forced deeper into the Everglades as they launched raids and attacks against the US soldiers trying to round them up. By the 1850's fighting had ceased and Chief Bowlegs was finally enticed to leave Florida. He first settled in New Orleans before eventually making it to Arkansas territory were he was a chief. During his life he visited Washington, D.C., to advocate for the rights of his people. During the Civil War he served as a captain of an Indian regiment in the Confederate Army. He passed away in the mid 1860s from smallpox. I love discovering historical marker for the interesting history they provide and I spotted this unusual blue one on a recent trip through Fort Myers. It was sponsored by the Caloosahatchee Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and Billy Bowlegs Society National Society Children of the American Revolution. The marker is located on the north side of Palm Beach Boulevard. It was placed in honor of Billy on the banks Billy's Creek which carries his name today. It was were he and his followers surrendered on May 7, 1858 to the United States government. While Billy is long gone, his legend lives on in Fort Myers and in Oklahoma where there is a town named for him. In 2015 Billy Bowlegs powder horn appeared on episode of Antiques Roadshow from Little Rock. Billy presented the horn to the owners ancestor who was a Georgia Indian peacemaker. It is one of the few artifacts from the Seminole Wars to still be in existence.

This historical marker is blue. I've not seen a blue one before. It remembers a local native…read moreAmerican and another dark time in US history. It reads, "Billy Bowlegs was a Seminole Indian Chief during the second (1835-1842) and third (1855-1858) Seminole wars. He and his followers resisted their removal to the Indian Territory in Oklahoma until 1858. That year, Bowlegs and about 125 other Seminoles were placed aboard the steamer Gray Cloud for transport across the Gulf to New Orleans and from there up the Mississippi and Arkansas rivers to Fort Gibson, then overland to Wewoka, Oklahoma. "The war later termed the "Billy Bowlegs War" began in 1855 when Bowlegs's gardens of squash and bananas were destroyed by the troops of First Lieutenant George Hartsuff. After his removal to Oklahoma, Bowlegs continued his own war by serving on the Confederate side during the Civil War. He died during the fall or winter of 1863-64 but his name is preserved by his descendents, a town named Bowlegs in Oklahoma and in the name of Billy's Creek." [Review 13316 overall, 634 of 2020.]

Great, friendly people located in a beautiful building right next to Coconut Point Mall. Sheriff…read moreMarceno and officers- thank you for your service!

This is the office on the Winn Dixie plaza on the southeast corner of Bonita Beach Rd. and…read more41. This in NO WAY reflects on the officers serving the community from this location. It's the front office staff--just not efficient. When someone comes in for a service whatever that may be--their time should not be wasted. I almost felt bad telling the woman there I didn't have all day I had places to go, things to do. Like it's not obvious? If I had time and was so inclined I may engage in some light conversation above and beyond the normal pleasantries. When I cut her off saying I had to go to she was clearly offended and when we finished what I had come for--and I had to correct her process SEVERAL times she told me I was "lucky" because usually there is a long wait. Really? I think not. Oh all I needed was fingerprints for a state license. Simple process.

I love a historic tree. There is something so majestic about a tree planted generations ago, that…read morestands watch and as a witness to the history that unfolds around it. Some of the historic trees that i have visited include the Hardy Oak in Sebastian, the historic banyan trees in Palm Beach, the Council Oak in Hollywood, and the Candler Oak in Savannah. Now I can add the towering banyan tree in downtown Bonita Springs to the list. Near the Bonita Springs clock at the corner of Old 41 Road and Childers Street sits the historic Bonita Banyan. The scientific Name of the banyan tree is Ficus altissima, and it is native to southern Asia. It also goes by the name Council Tree and Lofty Fig. The 1920's were Florida's land boom years when the state saw a huge growth in it's population and construction.. One of the settlers who came to the area during this time was Cordell Smith, who moved to Survey which would later be named Bonita Springs. Smith was known for aiding his community and his love of train travel. In 1921, he took the tree from its original location at the intersection of Bonita Beach Road and Tamiami Trail and replanted it just south of the what is now Community Hall. The tree became a popular meeting place with locals telling each other to meet at the banyan tree. In the 1950's a building called the Pavilion stood under the tree and was used for community events like dances and movies. The Pavilion was torn down and replaced by the Community Hall. Today the tree is enormous and thriving. It is a protected tree so climbing on it is no longer permitted although generations of kids enjoyed doing that. Now you are asked to respectfully enjoy the tree. It was fun discovering this piece of Bonita Springs history and learning about it's roots in the community.

I had to report for Jury Duty selection here. I needed to be there by 8am the day after MLK…read moreHoliday. First thing you need to know is that to gain entry, you'll be going through a security screening very similar to that of TSA's security procedures at airports. The Deputies manning these stations were professional and thorough. It didn't take long. Reminder, no drinks can be brought through the checkpoint. After a successful screening, I found the Jurors waiting room and found a seat in a large room that could probably accommodate 300 people. I'd say the room was probably 60% filled and over the next 2 hours, at different times, a bailiff or deputy would take a large group upstairs to where 1 of 3 Judges would be starting court proceedings by first selecting Jurors. Before this however, we received important information from workers in the waiting room such as parking, reimbursement, cell phone policy, and cafeteria location. Everyone was professional and helpful. (BTW, there's a special designated parking lot, free for Jurors. You only need to show your summons to the gate attendant in order to park there. It's about a block and a half away.) I was in the third group called. We went up to the 7th floor where a circuit court Judge was planning on trying a felony case. The Judge was very well spoken, had a genuine enthusiasm for his work, and explained in as simplest of terms as possible what the jurors selection would entail. Two attorneys for the state, as well as two attorneys for the defendant, were given chances to question all 41 of us in what is known as "voir dire", in order to finalize the selection of Jurors. Just before 5pm they selected 7 Jurors out of our group. I was not one of them. Just before releasing us, the Judge thanked us and stated that we had fulfilled our Jurors Summons obligations for 1 year. My overall experience was very positive. Every one was very helpful, positive, and professional. The building and rooms are very clean and modern. One should bring a jacket or sweater as the rooms are quite cool. Hours are: Monday-Friday: 7:30am - 5:00pm

Ok I'm here and it's not my ideal way to spend a day . It's super cold, so if you get a jury…read moresummons, definitely bring a jacket. Staff is helpful with checking you in, explaining reimbursement of parking, where bathrooms, vending machines and cafeteria is. Watched a video on the court process as well as a judge made a presentation. Now just waiting to see if my group gets called. Really well organized and the staff was super nice and helpful. If you lose your summons they can still check you in if you have ID with you . Of course only a judge can excuse people from jury duty but people still asked. Think I'm going to be here all day.... Well at least they have HGTV on.....

Once on the bridge, there are breathtaking views of the Caloosahatchee River leading into the Gulf…read moreof Mexico. Just west of the bridge is the memorial statue of the US Marines lifting the flag at the battle of Iwo Jima. There is a monetary Sunpass fee to travel west, but free eastbound.

The four lane Midpoint Memorial Bridge spans the Caloosahatchee River connecting Fort Myers and…read moreCape Coral. The fixed span bridge is one and a quarter mile long. The bridge got it's name because it is half way between the Cape Coral Bridge to the south and the Caloosahatchee Bridge to the north. County Road 884 runs over the bridge. On the Ft. Myers side the road is called Colonial Boulevard and it is named Veterans Parkway on the Cape Coral Side where there is a statue of six U.S. Marines raising the American flag at the Battle of Iwo Jima to your left when you exit the bridge. Creating a second bridge between Fort Myers and Cape Coral was first proposed in the 1970's and it immediately met with controversy. Those in favor of the bridge in Cape Coral thought it was needed to allow people to reach jobs and shopping while those in Fort Myers who opposed it feared the bridge would destroy neighborhoods and bankrupt businesses. After fighting about the bridge for twenty years, construction on the bridge began in 1995 and the bridge opened for traffic on October 19, 1997. The cost of the bridge was one hundred and seventy five million dollars. Lee County hopes to have the bridge paid off by 2035. In the decades after the bridge opened many of the fears were proven unfounded and the bridge served to unite the communities of fort Myers and Cape Coral. The bridge offers more driving options and less traffic for travelers between the two cities. The bridge is owned by the Lee County Department of Transportation. There is currently a two dollar toll in effect for westbound vehicles only, no toll for eastbound traffic. Florida's statewide SunPass prepaid electronic toll collection system is accepted on the Midpoint Bridge along with Lee County's Leeway prepaid toll system.