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.

Using Ody was a relatively simple online process BUT... they do NOT inform you that they bill you…read morefor any address change that they attempt to serve. So if the person you are having served MOVES, you get charged another fee for the server to go to that address, WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE OR CONSENT. And that chase could keep going WITHOUT your permission. Prepared to pay, and pay, and possibly keep paying for the search? Make sure you put IN WRITING that they MUST NOTIFY YOU AND GET YOUR CONSENT before they serve at a different address!!!

Garnishment papers to banks. Odys was great. Responded quickly to my questions and served papers…read moreas needed. Highly recommend. Paul Stiso

http://www.news-press.com/videos/news/2017/07/20/sofa-beds-recliners-unlimited/103704792/…read more https://www.winknews.com/2017/11/29/furniture-frustrations-customers-call-complain-store-hasnt-delivered/ More complaints are rolling in one month after a WINK News Call for Action investigation uncovered dozens of complaints against one local furniture store. Furniture Frustrations: More customers call to complain about store that hasn't delivered NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. - More complaints are rolling in one month after a WINK News Call for Action investigation uncovered dozens of complaints against one local furniture store. Small Claims Court Wendy and Ed Huether are one of 54 people who have filed a complaint with WINK News Call for Action, the Better Business Bureau or the Attorney General's office against Sofa Beds and Recliners Unlimited in North Fort Myers. After waiting more than a year for their furniture, the Huethers filed a small claims lawsuit against owner Lane Granitstein. "The furniture was approximately $1,500 and he was paid on a debit card, so there was no way I could get my money back," said Wendy. During the pretrial conference the Huethers and Granitstein were able to come to an agreement. Granitstein would pay the Huethers back within 45 days. MORE: Upset customers say local store failed to deliver on promise "A whole year later and we go to court today and he agrees to repay us the money and the court cost, in 45 days," said Wendy. "So now I have 45 days to wait to see if I get the money." Two weeks ago, on Nov. 15, Granitstein was also in small claims court. He sued two customers for canceling their orders. Again, an agreement was reached during pretrial. Both customers agreed to pay court costs and let Granitstein deliver the furniture. The first customer has received his furniture. The second is still waiting but according to the agreement, Granitstein has until Dec. 10 to deliver. More Customers Complaining "I was just tired of the delay in getting our furniture," said Roger Lagasse. Lagasse paid in cash in full for two recliners in December of last year. He's still waiting for them. "I'm looking forward to either getting my money back or getting my recliners," he said. Because he paid cash, Lagasse is worried he'll never see a resolution. "It makes me feel very angry we have to wait so long." Granitstein told us Lagasse's furniture should arrive any day now. Working to get Answers On Nov. 15 we were able to talk to Lane Granitstein on camera after court. We handed him a list of eight customers who had not received their furniture. All the people on the list had been waiting between six months to a year for their furniture. He told us at the time he would need a couple of weeks to research the cases to get us answers. You can see the full interview below. Two weeks after that encounter, on Nov. 29, we talked to Granitstein again after his small claims court appearance. We asked him about the list of customers we had given him. "I told you to check back in with me in a couple of weeks but not at the courthouse," said Granitstein. "You need to get in contact with me at my business so I can go through each one of these individually." We reached out to Granitstein by phone later in the day. He told us he needs a couple more days to review those eight cases. Watch raw video of the entire interviews below: See the entire interviews with Lane Granitstein from Nov. 15 and Nov. 29 Granitstein on Nov. 15

10 months, no recliner, filed a complaint with my credit card/bank. got my $529.95 back on my card…read more10-2-17, filed with small claims, went to court, judge found in my favor. Sofa beds and recliners had to pay me for court cost , sheriff fee for serving the summons, plus interest earned on the original $500.00 for 10 months. Lane had to write me a check for these additional charges. plus the judge wanted me to verify that my credit card company/bank did in fact get their $500,00 dollars from sofa bed and recliners and if they did not the judge was going after Sofa Beds and Recliners to make sure the credit card company was not ripped off.

This place is a straight up scam I would've had a better shot if I just showed up to court myself,…read morethey talk super confident on the phone saying that they can take care of the ticket no problem then just show up to court and automatically take a guilty plea, they don't try to fight for the ticket because they don't care if you win or lose. And on top of that they'll say that there's a no traffic school and money back guarantee and then they tell you that it's not a thing when they inevitably lose your case. Not even worth calling.

Absolute garbage. My original ticket was $130. I paid ticket clinic $80 to take care of it. Then I…read morenever heard from them again. Months later now I owe the court $240 and my license is suspended because these people did absolutely nothing. They won't even give me a refund to help offset the costs. Do not recommend. They take your money and let the court suspend your license with no warning.

Scott, Lance and the team are the go-to choice for Criminal Defense in the Naples / Fort Myers…read morearea. As a former prosecutor and local lawyer myself, I have, witnessed the hard work that Scott and his team put into their cases as they do everything within their power to take care of their clients. Scott has represented friends of mine and family members of employees at my office. They are always upfront with their clients and don't sugarcoat things but at the same time work miracles for many. Give them a call today and see for yourself!

100 Stars! *********************** In my case with two…read moretickets in 30 minute DUI, felony and speed. Scott T.Moory with Great reviews on google, avo.com and bing got my felony to diversion but also made my DUI disappear! Everyone I've meet in my classes has high recommendation for Scott T Mooreys law firm from the teachers and counselors to the students all in my class have Hurd his name and how great he is at his job! Lance and Scott my Omega teacher is now recommending you! Hope to help someone ~God Bless

The entire staff is great, punctual, friendly and they do great work. Highly recommend this company…read morefor attorney services when it comes to securing court reporters for your depositions. Only great experiences. We are an out of town law firm and always will call this firm for our fort myers cases. Thanks much martina reporting! - From Rier Jordan, P.A.

Although the company is named Martina Reporting Services now it is an amazing business run by…read morewonderful people.

Fact - The Sanibel Toll Facility, operated by Lee County is located on the Sanibel Causeway. It…read moreuses all-electronic tolling for vehicles traveling towards Sanibel Island, with fees assessed based on the number of axles. If you have a physical transponder in your car it is $6.00 to come on to the island and it is free (no toll) to leave. If you do not have a physical transponder in your car it is $9.00 to come on the island and it is free (no toll) to leave. It's a small price to pay IMO if you consider what's in store for you once you cross over the causeway although the charges continue if you visit the many beautiful beaches these lots are also pay by plate and the rates are $5.00 per hour and the charges are per beach so keep this in mind if you plan on visiting multiple beaches there are no roll overs from beach to beach once you scan the QR Code on the first beach and establish an account paying is a breeze as is extending your time. Although Sanibel is still in recovery mode most of the businesses that opted to rebuild are open and doing well, any day spent on Sanibel Island is a good day...

Impossible to figure out how to pay. Tried. Website it took me to wanted $30 to register. I don't…read moremind paying a toll, but for heaven's sake open at least one lane with an attendant. Turned around and left. I'll just enjoy the panhandle beaches with no charge and no frustration.