The Wandering Disciple

We just became members to the Edison Ford Winter Estate, unlocking a world of exploration not just into the lives of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford but to historic sites nationwide. For those that have followed the site since the beginning, you have probably noticed that I enjoy learning about history. By becoming members to this great historical site, we also have access to hundreds of historical sites, museums and botanical gardens nationwide through the memberships reciprocal privileges.  So if you are into learning about history like me head out to your local museum and become a member today, not only are you helping them preserve history but you are unlocking doors of exploration for yourself. (Photo: June 26, 2011)

When Thomas Edison spent the winters in his winter retreat in Fort Myers, he needed a way to escape the Florida heat so he built a swimming pool.  One of the first residential pools built, was just one of the many engineering marvels created by Edison here in Fort Myers. (Photo: May 26, 2019)

During World War I, inventor Thomas Edison partnered with his winter neighbor Henry Ford and friend Harvey Firestone to create the Edison Botanic Research Corporation. This partnership provided testing to determine a plant to make domestic rubber that could aid the US during the war.  They determined Goldenrod to be a successful plant to produce rubber and a patent was applied for to manufacture rubber.  (Photo: June 26, 2011)

Drop a nickel in the slot and watch the pictures come to life at the sound of music.  The Stereophone invented by Thomas Edison helped combine silent films and sound of music.  This advancement of technology is one of the many inventions on display at the Ford and Edison Winter Estate in Fort Myers.  (Photo: June 26, 2011)

One of Thomas Edison's most famous inventions, the light bulb, can be seem at the Edison-Ford Winter Resort. The wintering home of Thomas Edison located along the banks of the river in Fort Myers, here you can tour a museum featuring many of Edison's inventions. (Photo: June 26, 2011)

The sitting room of the Mangoes was a place for Henry Ford to get away from business and relax along Caloosahatchee River. The Mangoes was purchased by Henry Ford in 1916 and he vacationed here until 1931 when his friend and neighbor Thomas Edison passed away. Today the home and the neighboring Seminole lodge once owned by Edison can be toured as part of the Edison-Ford Winter Estate museum. (Photo: June 26, 2011)

Along the banks of the Caloosahatchee River sits the winter home of inventor Thomas Edison. Named the Seminole Lodge, Edison’s winter home was built in 1886. A few years later, Edison’s friend Henry Ford built a home next door. Today both homes can be toured as part of the Edison-Ford Winter Estate museum. (Photo: June 26, 2011)

Colorful flowers in full bloom surround the winter residences of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. (Photo: June 26, 2011)

Fort Myers, Florida: Nestled between the bank of the Caloosahatchee River and the tree lined McGregor Boulevard lies the winter retreat of two of the country’s leading men who helped shaped America by creating some of the modern conveniences we use on a daily basis. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates is a collection of buildings that were once the vacation homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. It is here where the two friends took a break from the hectic world. Thomas Edison first visited Florida in 1885 to escape the cold weather from his native New Jersey. He purchased a tract of land along a cattle trail that ran into Punta Rassa. The 13 acre property along the river contained a cracker house that was a hold-over for the cattle ranchers are the moved the herd down the path. Edison purchased the property from $2750 and his Florida retreat was becoming a reality. Edison’s first major project on the property was to build his homestead in which he called the Seminole Lodge. The Semino...