leading Edison to quote (referring to his
gardens in Fort Myers), “I want to carry
everything to extremes down there.”
Those who knew Edison’s interest
in horticulture sent him seedlings and
specimens from around the world with
stunning results that can still be seen today.
There is an African sausage tree, with its
hanging, salami-shaped fruit used by some
tribes to be ground into medicine; a South
American rain tree with leaves that collect
moisture, then shed it in a light rainfall; the
hibiscus tree from the West Indies, covered
with scarlet bloom most of the year; and an
immense Moreton Bay fi g from Australia. This
unusual specimen, whose serpentine roots
rise several feet above the ground, grows on
the property and is decorated to stunning
effect during the holiday season.
It wasn’t mammoth trees from other
continents or exotic plants from around the
world that saved the day, but instead was
the common goldenrod, which produces
a thick milky sap with a high latex content.
Coincidentally, it is endemic to the Florida
peninsula. In a twist of fate, Edison moved to
the right place for rubber.
“I want to point out that the furnishings and
things in these houses are original,” said Lisa
Wilson, Director, Public Relations Edison &
Ford Winter Estates, as she gave a tour. “That
was their dining table and here’s the kitchen
where his cook, Queenie Adams would have
spent a lot of time.”
Each building on the property reveals new
aspects of this complex man. The inventor
disliked the smell of cooking food, so he
lived in one house and took his meals in the
other. In the offi ce next to the laboratory is
a bed where Edison took frequent naps.
The inventor, whose hearing was severely
impaired since childhood, maintained that
he could get as much rest in 15 minutes as
hearing people could get in four hours of
sleep, because no noise disturbed him.
Decorated just as Thomas and Mina left
it, including the original Victorian furniture,
drapes and carpets that have been faithfully
reproduced, the elegant residence can be
viewed by visitors with such notable features
like electric brass chandeliers designed
68 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE • November/December • 2021
by Edison and handmade in the Florida
laboratory. The light bulbs are the original 16
candlepower bulbs, the equivalent of today’s
35 watts, still burning some 12 hours a day
since he made them in 1910.
Fort Myers eventually became the spring
training home for baseball teams looking to
train all year round and Edison was a huge
fan of the sport, known to throw a pitch or two
during spring training. He even sponsored
two semi-professional teams – the Edisons
and the Voltas.
“A recruit by the name of Tom Edison broke
into the big leagues yesterday and fi nished
his fi rst tryout with a batting average of .500, a
mark which Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and the best
sluggers of the land have never been able
to reach after a whole season of endeavor,” a
local Florida newspaper proclaimed in a story
about one of his opening pitches for a game.
Fast forward almost 100 years and Connie
Mack III (Connie Mack’s grandson) is helping
Edison and Ford Winter Estates create a new
museum exhibit that will feature artifacts that
belonged to the Athletics’ team and Connie
Mack’s family. The opening of the exhibit is
scheduled for later this year, 2021.
Along with the upcoming baseball exhibit,
Edison and Ford Winter Estates celebrate
the holidays in a manner appropriate for
the famous inventor, with lots and lots of
lights: It’s a dazzling display unlike any other.
Featuring thousands of Christmas lights and
decorations, there are many nights during
the holiday season that are complete with
entertainment. If you plan to have guests or
family visiting around the holidays, this is a
“must” on your list of places to go.
The Edison Ford Winter Estate
2350 McGregor Blvd. (Route 867)
Fort Myers, Fl. 33901
(813) 334-3614
Open every day except Thanksgiving and
Christmas Day
Guided tours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday through Saturday
12:30 to 4 p.m. on Sundays
edisonfordwinterestates.org
/edisonfordwinterestates.org