Downtown walking tours reveal history, Renaissance and more

COURTESY OF NATALIE S. DUNHAM, FMRA The historic buildings in downtown Fort Myers are part of the walking tour. Following two years of intensive restoration efforts, a stroll or drive through downtown has become a pleasure. Buildings have re-emerged revealing their historic identities. The streets are beautifully paved, displaying the truly historic atmosphere that has remained hidden for many years.

Like many cities, downtown Fort Myers was the hub of economic and political exchange. Banking, shopping and leisure were all part of what Fort Myers provided, including the luxury Royal Palm and Bradford hotels.

Blessed with a location on the Caloosahatchee River that served as the only means of entry for many years, many merchants and visitors were drawn to the downtown.

While restoration and construction work renewed interest in what this city has to offer and where it came from, it also unearthed some interesting discoveries such as brass nails from the old fort, musket balls and Civil War uniform buttons reinforcing the historic significance of Fort Myers.

A Downtown Walking Tour offered by the nearby Southwest Florida Museum of History provides a vital service, telling our region's story by stepping back into history more than 100 years. By night, visitors, locals and passersby have undoubtedly noticed the two stunning cylinders lit up against the Sidney & Berne Davis Arts Center on First Street, and by day, the painstakingly restored buildings with their historic colors, awnings and incredible streetscape.

Many people may not know that there is a stunning mural detailing the 100 years of Fort Myers history between the Federal Building and the Starbucks courtyard, or that several of the buildings downtown were built as the result of a rivalry between businessmen Harvey Heitman and Walter Langford. Furthermore, today's Veranda Restaurant is actually the joining of two historic homes while the Arcade Theater still serves the same function it did nearly a century ago.

These are just a few of the things discovered during a Downtown Walking Tour which includes the architecture and building styles popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and, thanks to historic preservation, are still around today. The stories and legends surrounding these buildings reveal the character and determination of men to succeed and in some cases, outrival each other. Though small in size, Downtown Fort Myers — the River District — has a large and storied past that continues to fascinate.

The city's history comes alive with facts, information and a few legends thrown in for good measure every Wednesday and Saturday at 10 a.m. through April 29 thanks to the Southwest Florida Museum of History's seasonal Downtown Walking Tours. Tours average about 1½ hours and originate at the historic Atlantic Coastline Railroad depot today housing the Southwest Florida Museum of History. Call 321-7430 to make reservations. Tours are $5 per person and patrons will receive a voucher to visit the museum now through May 31.