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.

My two year old had such a blast. As a mom I had just as much fun watching him. We live in Miami so…read morewe were visiting and I happen to look for place to take him and I'm so glad this came up. I will say this is based on downstairs and outside because the upstairs was not open. Be sure to check their website or call for info. I can't wait to be back in the area so we can go back

The employees were very helpful. The price was at a good…read morerate. My son was able to explore and have enjoy himself exploring every angel of this museum. You'll kids will have a blast

LaBelle had its beginning as a settlement in the 1880's. Captain Francis A. Hendry, a Condederate…read moreofficer during the Civil War purchased land after the war for his home and a large cattle ranch. He founded the town of LaBelle naming it after his daughters Laura June and Carrie Belle. Tcounty of Hendry Florida was Captain Hendry. In the early 20th century E. E. Goodno began purchasing land in the LaBelle area from Francis A. Hendry eventually owning the majority of the Hendry holdings. Goodno's additions to LaBelle soon grew the town to twenty times the size of the original subdivision. The Downtown LaBelle Historic District is a U.S. Historic District in LaBelle Florida that was designated on March 25, 1999. The three acre district is on the 300 Block of North Bridge Street. It contains nine historic buildings that reflect the development of this rural community between the years of 1911 to 1945. The buildings in the district were used for business, social gatherings, and housing. The primary architectural style is Frame Vernacular. There is also a Mediterranean Revival and Moderne style of the type that was popular in Florida during the 1920s to the 1940s. The Curtis Honey House is located in a mercantile from the 1920's. It has been a landmark here since 1954 selling locally produced honey and honey product. Rudy and Maggie's Me & My Girls Antiques and Home Decor in the historic Susan Doub Store and has become a destination for both collectors and browsers. The LaBelle Heritage Museum in located in the Historic 1912 William Hardy Poole Store & Residence. These are just a few of the historic buildings in this district. The historic district of downtown LaBelle is small and very charming. The district is anchored by the beautiful Barron Park on the the Caloosahatchee River. A stroll down the street is like a walk back to a simpler time. The city is currently at work trying to attract more businesses into this area.

This marker is located in front of Barron Park where Park Avenue meets Bridge Street as you enter…read moreLaBelle from the north. It is in excellent condition and has the same text on both sides. It reads, "Downtown LaBelle Historic District. In 1895, prominent landowner and cattleman Captain Francis A. Hendry (1833-1917) platted a townsite at LaBelle, which was first settled as a center for cattle and citrus industries. A post office, general store, school, and a church were eventually built, and LaBelle became the first town and commercial center in what became Hendry County. Although Hendry is credited with settling LaBelle, E.E. Goodno (1858-1936), who purchased Hendry's former land holdings in 1903 and financed many of the town's first improvements, is recognized as the "Father of LaBelle." LaBelle's historic business district extends along and near Bridge Street from the Caloosahatchee River south to Hickpockee Avenue. At one time, both sides of the street were lined with commercial establishments, some of which featured living accommodations on the second floor. Sadly, many early downtown buildings were destroyed in a 1928 fire, but some have survived, including the Poole Store (1911), First Bank of LaBelle (1925), the Royal Poinciana/Newcomb Bakery (1911-1912 --one of the buildings constructed for both commercial and residential use). The Downtown LaBelle Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I did not spend much time in LaBelle and will be looking forward to returning. [Review 14818 overall, 320 of 2021, number 1307 in Florida.]

Since we've been visiting the Naples/Marco Island area for many years now, Nate and I have done a…read morelot of the tourist attractions like the zoo, botanical gardens, a few museums, etc. but somehow had never been to the Marco Island Historical Museum until our visit in March 2026. The museum is free to visit, and I was really impressed. We got an overview when we entered and learned a lot about the history of Marco Island and its residents, starting with the Calusa period (pre 1700s). The history is fascinating and although some of it was a little washed over, I think most of it was well done in terms of honoring the native people of the area. There was a rotating exhibit while we visited about the evolution of transportation that happened throughout the island's history, which included ships, airplanes (Marco Island Airways operated in the 70s and 80s, trains, and automobiles. The other exhibits were packed with lots of information and artifacts which were very cool to see. The displays were nicely done with lots of great visuals. I especially enjoyed learning about the Mackle brothers, who had a large part in developing the island. They also had the famous Key Marco Cat on display, which was discovered in 1896 and was perfectly preserved in an oxygen-free bog. It is currently on loan to the Marco Island Historical Museum but is returning to the Smithsonian in April 2026. I'm glad we got to see this unique icon, especially as a cat lover. If you're interested in history, I highly recommend visiting this museum.

This was a fantastic way to spend a windy, chilly morning on Marco Island. This museum is…read morecertainly cherished by all who live here. What a gem of so well put together and maintained. No cost to get in either (donations accepted and appreciated). My husband and I learned so much about the history of Marco island as well as the development of the island. Fascinating stuff!

Let me tell you about the time my wife casually turned a normal "drop our daughter off at college"…read moretrip into what felt like a deleted scene from a survival movie... destination: Solomon's Castle in the absolute middle of nowhere. And when I say nowhere, I mean NOWHERE. I'm driving waiting for streetlights... nothing. Gas stations? Nope. People? Questionable. Cows? Plenty. Motorcycles flying by like we accidentally entered a post-apocalyptic biker convention? Oh yeah. At this point, I'm looking at my wife like, Babé are we visiting a castle or auditioning for The Walking Dead: Florida Edition?" Then suddenly... BOOM. Out of nowhere... like a mirage built by a very creative pirate appears this shiny, aluminum-covered CASTLE. Now I'm confused. Because one minute I'm dodging cows... and the next minute I'm like: Did we just teleport to medieval times sponsored by Home Depot? But here's the thing this place is AMAZING. Inside? Pure genius. Art everywhere. Sculptures made out of stuff you probably threw away last week. It's like if creativity, humor, and a junkyard had a baby and that baby became a castle. And then there's the restaurant. Yes. A restaurant. Inside a boat. Inside a castle. In the middle of nowhere. At this point, I've stopped asking questions and just accepted that I'm in someone else's dream. If you want the backstory, go ahead and Google it because it's wild. But honestly, just go. Don't overthink it. Would I have ever planned this stop? Absolutely not. Did my wife once again prove she's the CEO of random but incredible detours? 100%. Final verdict: Unexpected Slightly suspicious drive in Completely worth it If you're ever near Ona, Florida--or even if you're not take the detour. Just make sure your gas tank is full... and maybe say a quick prayer once the streetlights disappear

On our drive from St Augustine to Tampa, we made reservations to see Solomon's Castle in the middle…read moreof nowhere on beautiful land here in Florida. This castle was built by Howard Solomon, a high school dropout, with his bare hands and his own designs with whatever scraps of metal he could find or that were donated to him by others. He had friends and neighbors who helped him build. He built vertically because his land was more narrow than wide. So there are stairs to climb. Everything including his unusual artwork inside the Castle was donated or built by Solomon. He also had a 1930s collection of cars and trucks that are displayed at the Castle. His personal story is very interesting which will be told during the tour. Visitors are not allowed to photograph the auto collection nor anything inside the Castle. There is no cell service/wifi there on the property. They do not use computers so everything is paid by cash: the tickets (we paid about $40 in cash for the castle tour and the classic car tour), the food, and souvenirs. They are dog-on-leash friendly, which is nice. The staff is very welcoming and fun to interact with! The tour is very interesting with funny jokes thrown in. Food is served on the boat and reviewers have been favorable about the meals offered. Remember, it is cash only. Parking is free and at the entrance before you get to the Castle. Wear comfortable shoes. I was happy that we got to do the tour. I don't know that I would go back because it is so out of the way but it was worth the trip.

Alright, so I'm making my comments based on the fact I got into IMAG for free because of my…read morereciprocal membership from my home science museum (shout out to the ASTC passport program!). I would not have paid over $70 for my family of five for this spot. However, there were some very positive highlights. The stingray tank is really nicely done, as are many animals and fish on display in well done and notably clean tanks. The fossil exhibits were small but got my kids talking. The exhibit on momentum was fun for my son. I really liked the weather exhibit, but my kids bored of it very quickly. I did not allow my kids to play in the water table, it looked very gross and the red flag notice made me very nervous. I've been to many children's museums with similar water tables, I have never seen a water table with such explicit warnings that the water quality wasn't up to snuff. All in all, worth spending an hour of my time, absolutely since it was free.

The concept of the science center was pretty cool However it was definitely a bit dated and dull…read more If they want to continue to do good work and educate kids through these science based experiences then they're going to have to make some changes. Theres just not enough to keep the kids engaged.

Always a nice place to frequent for events -- it's a beautiful venue. I recently attended the…read moreClarksdale Blues event in the Daniels Pavilion, and there really isn't a bad seat in the building. The layout allows for great views from just about anywhere, which makes the experience enjoyable. One thing to keep in mind is accessibility. If you have any issues with walking, climbing, or mobility, you may want to choose seats closer to the bottom or opt for floor seating. The seating is somewhat bleacher-style, so getting to higher rows does require walking up. Overall, it's a wonderful venue, and I always enjoy attending events here.

Artis has a nice selection of Ansel Adams artwork on display, including some self portraits and…read morecolor pieces. They also have works by a modern-day Ansel, Brian Zepeda. This facility has space to host events, including large gatherings ass our daughter's graduation ceremony was held here.