How the city received its name has an
interesting twist.
“On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1850, Major
General David E. Twiggs, in command of
all federal troops in Florida, issued an order
from his headquarters at Fort Brooke: “Brevet
Major Ridgely, Fourth Artillery, will take command
of two companies of artillery … and
proceed to the Caloosa River. He will select a
suitable place for the establishment of a post
and immediately throw up such light works
as may secure his stores … The post will be
called Fort Myers.”
Endless stories and in-depth research fi ll
every page of this fascinating collection of
Fort Myers history.
One Amazon reviewer
proclaimed, “The
Hidden History of Fort
Myers is a fascinating
look at the history
of this southwest
cowtown of
yesteryear. The
history unveiled
in this volume
is astounding
and well-written. I
highly recommend
people read this book
because there are many
pieces of hidden history of
this city that many do not know
of and will be surprised to know.”
Several storylines will make you pause and
refl ect upon the people and the state of Florida
at a time of confl ict and violence, reminding
us that our ancestors persevered against
great odds.
“In the summer of 1849, a group of young,
renegade Indians killed a farmer on the
Indian River and two traders at their store
on a tributary of the Peace River. Aroused
again, Florida settlers demanded protection,
and the U.S. War Department responded
by bringing the troop count in Florida up
to eighteen companies (1,400 men) and
throwing up military posts on riverways from
Tampa Bay to Indian River on the east coast
and to Charlotte Harbor on the west. One of
these new posts was Fort Myers.”
The author concludes her introduction to
begin this tale of truth and perseverance with
this.
“The story of Fort Myers, like that of
mankind generally, is linear, not circular. Very
early on, like the cowboys who dismounted
their real horses and mounted toy facsimiles,
Fort Myers traded its wild and woolly past
for a life focused on recreation and tourism,
and its enterprising spirit continues unabated
today. Like a carnival barker, she is still selling
tickets to the show, and like a carousel
whirling round and round with painted
horses going up and down, she continues to
fascinate.”
Cynthia Williams is a professional writer
whose work includes creative nonfi ction,
fi ction, narrative history,
television copywriting and
fi lm-script writing. She
has published both
narrative histories and
creative nonfi ction and
has self-published part
one of The BANYAN
Trilogy, locally-based
psychological mystery.
Cynthia is the recipient
of a Florida Writers Association
Royal Palm Literary
Award for her children’s story
“As Wrong As Wrong Can Be”
and of the Charlotte Writers’ Club
award for best creative nonfi ction for her
story “Just for Tonight.”
You can purchase Hidden History of Fort
Myers on Cynthia’s website cyn1020.com,
amazon.com and in bookstores.
Jonathan Herbert is an award-winning
writer who grew up in Englewood. His
novels, Banyan Street & Silver King, have
won multiple literary awards, including
recognition from the Paris Book Festival.
You can follow him on Twitter @herbertnovels
or online at herbertnovels.com.
/cyn1020.com
/amazon.com
/herbertnovels.com
