Home SWFL InsiderFun Facts ‘Fort Myers’ name an engagement gift from a father

‘Fort Myers’ name an engagement gift from a father

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Caloosahatchee River

Fort Myers, home to the estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, has a rich history. Living in the city, I never knew where the name Fort Myers came from, until now.

Back in 1850, Maj. Gen. David Twiggs commissioned a small fort on the Caloosahatchee River. His daughter, Marion, had fallen in love with one of his elder staff officers, Abraham C. Myers.

Twiggs was fond of his future son-in-law, so he called this new post “Fort Myers,” to honor his colleague. The two unlikely lovebirds were married in 1853, when Marion was just 15 years old.

Michelle Mambuca, C2 Communications

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