Swing bridges are pretty awesome and I'm a little bummed that there wasn't any traffic on the…read moreCaloosahatchee River this morning to see it open. It's right there in the name: swing bridge. When opening, the bridge swings horizontally on the central pivot. They're generally cheaper to build and operate as they don't require the heavy counterweights for a bascule or draw bridge. The Fort Denaud Bridge was built in 1963 and, as Ariel W. points out in her review, is 434.7 feet from end to end. When closed, it has a clearance of 8.9 feet to the water below. It is one of the few remaining swing bridges in Florida, including the Boca Grande Swing Bridge in Charlotte County (about an hour west). I've also seen the Southport Maine Swing Bridge https://www.yelp.com/biz/southport-swing-bridge-southport?hrid=XRV4yJRMiSNPuQaTZB9bYA and caught the New Bedford - Fairhaven Bridge opening https://www.yelp.com/biz/new-bedford-fairhaven-bridge-new-bedford?hrid=nnr8b8LqYCW_JOtDZv2iFg. The bridge was not initially constructed here. The bridge had been on the Intracoastal Waterway in Pompano Beach (about 120 miles away, southeast). Did they float it here or bring it over the road? I don't know. There is no toll to cross the bridge. [Review 19284 overall - 1632 in Florida - 254 of 2023.]

The Fort Denaud Bridge is a 435 foot historical swing bridge built in 1963. The bridge was…read morepreviously used in Pompano Beach and brought here to replace another bridge that was condemned and removed in the early 1960's. The bridge is 434.7 feet long from end to end and has a vertical clearance of 8.9 feet over the river. The bridge allows cars to cross over the Caloosahatchee River. The bridge was rehabilitated in 1987. The Fort Denaud Bridge is named for Pierre Denaud a French Canadian trapper who traded with the Seminoles and owned land here in the 1830's. The bridge is located at Fort Denaud, the site of a military encampment in the early 19th century. When a boat wants to pass under the bridge, the captain calls the bridge tender who walks out to the middle of the bridge and cranks the machinery to turn allowing it to swing open to allow the boat traffic to pass down the river. It is one of only three swing bridges in SW Florida. I was surprised to learn that this bridge was from Pompano Beach, the town next to where I live. It must have been quite an ordeal to bring it over here. I have previously visited the Snow-Reed Swing Bridge, another historic swing bridge in Ft. Lauderdale. I love these bridges and their history and it is always fun to watch when they swing open. Unfortunately there weren't any boats coming down the river today. It is still a pretty bridge and enjoyed my walk over it.

This marker is along Buckingham Road near a trailhead. The sign is in excellent condition and is…read moreeasily legible though the text is quite small. There is parking nearby. The marker reads, "During World War II, nearly 50,000 soldiers earned their wings as aerial gunners at the Buckingham Army Air Field's (BAAF) Flexible Gunnery School. As one of only six gunnery schools in the United States, BAAF was in operation from 1942 until the end of the war in 1945. At the ranges once located near here, south of State Road 82, trainees were taught the skills needed to protect American bomber planes from enemy attack. Soldiers first learned how to shoot at moving targets from a moving platform. Enclosed in a spinning turret mounted to a truck, the men fired machine guns at unmanned jeeps carrying large white cloth targets that drove along a track inside the range. After ground training, the soldiers practiced firing from aircraft at targets towed by other aircraft. This training provided the soldiers with the skills and knowledge needed to man the many turret and window machine guns on B-17 and B-24 bombers, and successfully defend those bombers in both Europe and the Pacific. These gunnery ranges were an important part of the Buckingham Army Air Field and Florida's role in training the military personnel who served protecting our nation." I find it interesting that this sort of thing happened here in Florida. Of course, it had to happen somewhere so this is quite interesting and telling that there was so little civilization in this area back then that they could have that sort of weapons training. It obviously worked. [Review 16783 overall - 1508 in Florida - 296 of 2022.]

Chief Billy Bowlegs also known as Halpudo Micco or Alligator Chief is a colorful part of Fort Myers…read morehistory. He was born in north Florida in 1810. He became famous as a 19th century chief during the Second and Third Seminole Wars. In 1830, President Andrew Johnson signed the Indian Removal Act which forced Native Americans to move from their tribal lands to territories in Oklahoma. The war was sparked over tension between the Native Americans of the area and the white settlers who were moving in. In an effort to get the Seminoles to move out west, Florida legislature signed off on a law making it illegal for Seminoles to hold residence in Florida and outlawed trading with tribal members. Billy Bowlegs refused to go out west on The Trail of Tears, so named because many of the Native Americans died on the trek. He opted instead to fight and hide with his people. The Seminoles were forced deeper into the Everglades as they launched raids and attacks against the US soldiers trying to round them up. By the 1850's fighting had ceased and Chief Bowlegs was finally enticed to leave Florida. He first settled in New Orleans before eventually making it to Arkansas territory were he was a chief. During his life he visited Washington, D.C., to advocate for the rights of his people. During the Civil War he served as a captain of an Indian regiment in the Confederate Army. He passed away in the mid 1860s from smallpox. I love discovering historical marker for the interesting history they provide and I spotted this unusual blue one on a recent trip through Fort Myers. It was sponsored by the Caloosahatchee Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and Billy Bowlegs Society National Society Children of the American Revolution. The marker is located on the north side of Palm Beach Boulevard. It was placed in honor of Billy on the banks Billy's Creek which carries his name today. It was were he and his followers surrendered on May 7, 1858 to the United States government. While Billy is long gone, his legend lives on in Fort Myers and in Oklahoma where there is a town named for him. In 2015 Billy Bowlegs powder horn appeared on episode of Antiques Roadshow from Little Rock. Billy presented the horn to the owners ancestor who was a Georgia Indian peacemaker. It is one of the few artifacts from the Seminole Wars to still be in existence.

This historical marker is blue. I've not seen a blue one before. It remembers a local native…read moreAmerican and another dark time in US history. It reads, "Billy Bowlegs was a Seminole Indian Chief during the second (1835-1842) and third (1855-1858) Seminole wars. He and his followers resisted their removal to the Indian Territory in Oklahoma until 1858. That year, Bowlegs and about 125 other Seminoles were placed aboard the steamer Gray Cloud for transport across the Gulf to New Orleans and from there up the Mississippi and Arkansas rivers to Fort Gibson, then overland to Wewoka, Oklahoma. "The war later termed the "Billy Bowlegs War" began in 1855 when Bowlegs's gardens of squash and bananas were destroyed by the troops of First Lieutenant George Hartsuff. After his removal to Oklahoma, Bowlegs continued his own war by serving on the Confederate side during the Civil War. He died during the fall or winter of 1863-64 but his name is preserved by his descendents, a town named Bowlegs in Oklahoma and in the name of Billy's Creek." [Review 13316 overall, 634 of 2020.]

As white settlers flooded into Florida the government became determined to relocate all Native…read moreAmericans west of the Mississippi. This forced removal policy sparked the Second Seminole War in 1835. The Seminoles fled south into Florida to evade capture and being sent out west and they moved into the Everglades in order to hide. In response the army set up forts south of Tampa to the east coast along rivers as they chased after the Seminoles who were much more skilled at surviving in the terrain than the soldiers. Fort Denaud was established by Captain B. L. E. Bonneville and troops of the 7th Infantry in 1838 on the the south side of the Caloosahatchee River. The fort was named in honor of Pierre Denaud, A French-Canadian trapper who had traded with the Seminoles and who owned land in the area in the 1830's. The fort consisted of a blockhouse with tents around it and it served as a supply depot for troops in Lake Okeechobee. The stockade at the fort guarded a bridge over the river on a military highway between Fort Myers and Fort Meade. The Fort Denaud historical marker marks the site of the blockhouse at Fort Denaud. Fort Denaud was closed after the end of the Second Seminole War and reopened at the beginning of the Third Seminole War in 1855 under Brevent Major William Hays. Soldiers added a hospital, guardhouse, jail, Sutler's store, and stables. A fire ravaged the fort in 1856 and it was rebuilt two miles downstream on the north side of the river. The fort was abandoned in May of 1858. After the war settlers moved into the town of Fort Denaud that sprang up and began farming sugar cane and citrus but most of them left after the fort was abandoned. Although there is no trace of the fort a few historic structures still remain. Today the area is mainly citrus groves and a new housing development.

Florida became a US Territory in 1821 and forts were built throughout Florida to offer settlers…read moreprotection from the Seminoles. One of the first forts to be built during the Seminole Indian Wars was Fort Myers along the Caloosahatchee River. The fort was named in honor of Colonel Abraham C. Myers, who was the son-in-law of the commander of Fort Brooke in Tampa. Fort Myers was abandoned in 1858 and reoccupied by Federal troops from 1863-1865. The Southernmost battle of the Civil War, a fight between Northern and Southern troops occurred across the Caloosahatchee River in 1865. In 1866, Manuel A, Gonzalez and Joseph Vivas took up residence at the recently abandoned fort. Other settlers arrived and this led to a post office when it was platted in 1876. In 1885 of the community of 349 people was incorporated as Fort Myers. Some of the wood from the fort was used in the construction of the downtown buildings. The first mention of First Street located the center of Fort Myers was as a sandy trail on the 1876 town survey plat. Along the street was a church, Phoenix Hall, and the Keystone Hotel where Thomas Edison stayed in 1886. Railroad construction brought an influx of people and the population boomed causing Fort Myers to develop during the last half of the 19th century. In 1897 the street was lined with palm trees and in 1898 the city had electric streetlights. Fort Myers is nicknamed the City of Palms. By 1900 First Street was paved with shells for the first automobiles. During the land boom years of the 1920's, modern buildings replaced the old frame structures. In 1977 historic marker F-280 was placed on First Street. The marker details the history of Fort Myers and First Street. Today First Street has a variety of shops and restaurants in the historic 1920's buildings. Restaurants include Ford's Garage, Los Cabos Cantina & Tequila Bar, and he Lodge. An art walk is held on the first Friday of the month which attracts a lot of people to enjoy art and live music. First Street is the perfect place to take in culture, shop, and dine. It is a must stop on any trip to Fort Myers.

Went there on a Saturday recent Saturday night. Just a short wait as it was busy. I had the Mahi…read moreand wife had the chicken dinner Both quite tasty. Service was good, no long wait. There are plenty of good restaurants downtown and this is one of them.

In the 1800's white settlers flooded into Florida and the government became determined to relocate…read moreall Native Americans west of the Mississippi. This forced removal policy sparked the Second Seminole War 1835-1842. As the Seminoles fled south into Florida to evade capture and being sent out west, they moved into the Everglades in order to hide. In response the army set up forts south of Tampa to the east coast along rivers as they chased after the Seminoles who were much more skilled at surviving in the terrain than the soldiers. Fort Thompson was one of these forts and it was established in 1838 as a military post to store supplies for the Seminole Wars. The fort was named Lt. Colonel Alexander Thompson, who died in the battle of Okeechobee in 1837. I was able to watch a recreation of the Battle of Okeechobee earlier this year and I learned a lot more about the battle. All that remains of the fort is the marker that signifies where it was built. The marker was placed by the LaBelle Heritage Museum. The last remnants of the fort were washed away with the dredging of the Caloosahatchee River. The Confederate army used this land during the Civil War to raise cattle. After the Civil War a community named Thompson built up around the old fort because it was the best place to cross the Caloosahatchee River for miles around. Confederate Captain Francis Asbury Hendry purchased the property in 1879 which he used it for his home and a cattle ranch. Hendry founded the town of LaBelle in the late 1880's along the western edge of the property, named for his daughters Laura Jane and Carrie Belle. Hendry County is named in honor of Captain Hendry. In 1885 steamboat service began between Fort Myers and LaBelle. Fort Thompson was purchased in 1905 by Edgar Everett Goodno who built an ice and electric plant. Goodno built the Fort Thompson Park Hotel on the site which brought many people to the area including Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. Ford purchased part of Goodno´s property in 1924 and it renmained in his name until 1942 when he sold it to one of Captain Hendry´s cousins, Joseph B. Hendry. The old Fort Thompson Park Hotel was torn down in the early 1940's. The historical marker erected on this site is a bit difficult to see and is faded. It is next to the gate of a private home located on SR80 just east of the City of LaBelle, FL. Five stars for the history of this place.

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.

I was here in LaBelle for a meetup with the awesome Ariel W…read more https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=lvthTfCQGD0qaEk6jCdRdQ and happened to stop by this amazing building. This is the original Hendry County Courthouse. It was built in 1926 and is at the intersection of Bridge Street and Hickpochee Avenue, which are the two main north-south and east-west roads through LaBelle. You can't miss it as one of the few working traffic lights is at these corners. The architecture is the Mediterranean Mission Revival style and it looks like some of the courthouses I saw during my trip through Texas last October. The inspiration is the late 18th and early 19th century Spanish missions. The structure got a complete restoration last year which included the brick façade, iron work, and even a full roof replacement. The building looks brand new and not nearly 100 years old. Unfortunately, closed and locked in a Saturday morning but during the week is open to walk around. Or just tour the grounds like I did. There is parking at the adjacent sheriff's building. [Review 16787 overall - 1512 in Florida - round number 300 of 2022!]

I am a fan of history and architecture, especially old Florida courthouses. Usually they are…read moreNeoclassical but the Hendry County Courthouse is a bit different. The Old Hendry County Courthouse was built in in 1927 on the corner of Bridge Street and Hickpochee Avenue. The courthouse was designed in the Mediterranean Revival-Mission Revival styles by architect Edward Columbus Hosford. The building is 3 stories with three subsidiary towers with pyramid roofs at the corner of the building. The most striking feature of the building is a large Renaissance 70 foot clock tower that contained a one thousand pound bell. A Seth Thomas electrically-regulated clock that cost $3,000 at the time was added to the tower. The clock would frequently lose time forcing the late Ray C. Hull, Sr. who was chosen for this thinness to climb the inside of the tower to wind the clock. On May 11, 1926 a shameful incident happened in LaBelle that was not uncommon during this period of history in Florida. A mob tortured and lynched an African-American man named Henry Patterson who asked for a glass of water while working on building Hwy 80. He was attacked and hung from a tree south of the newly built courthouse. No one was brought to justice for the murder. After the crime a series of lightning storms struck the tower and eventually the clock and bell were dismantled. The courthouse began operating on May 3, 1927. Ever since then it has served as the center of Hendry County's civic and political functions. On February 22, 1975 a new clock was installed in the tower but it is no longer working. On November 8, 1990, the Hendry County Courthouse was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The courthouse is currently undergoing restoration. It has been granted two Special Category Grants to rehabilitate, restore and preserve the Old Hendry County Courthouse. The first grant was for $350,000 to rehabilitate the foundation. Another $500,000 has been granted for facade preservation. Once that work is completed it is hoped that another $500,000 dollars will be granted for brick work and installing a new clock at a price of $42,000. An additional $10,000 would be required for bells and chimes in the form of digital carillon Sonata that can programmed to also play hymns and songs. If you go by the courthouse now it is covered in scaffolding. It will be interesting to see how the restoration turns out.