23/05/2021
Edison estates is an interesting tour. Self guided tour in multiple languages. The Edison lab and museum is well worth seeing. In Fort Myers, 2350 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Edison traveled to Fort Myers in 1885 with his best friend and business partner, Ezra Gilliland. Edison purchased 13.5 acres of riverfront property from cattleman Samuel Summerlin and had two identical homes built. The main house was designed for Edison and his family and the guest house was owned by Ezra Gilliland and his wife, Lillian. Gilliland later left Fort Myers and the former president and CEO of Standard Oil, Ambrose McGregor purchased the home. McGregor improved the grounds of the Gilliland estate with tropical trees and shrubs with much taste and beauty. He also installed a windmill and pump while he lived at the house. It is speculated that Edison possibly moved the windmill to the Caretaker's Cottage for his own use. R. Ingram O.Travers purchased the home in 1902 from Ambrose McGregor and he planned to establish a section in his gardens to build upon McGregor's efforts containing rare palms, flowering plants, and tropical fruits to delight all who saw it. Edison bought the home in 1906 which contained one of the prettiest tropical gardens in the State that complemented his own gardens where many varieties of tropical trees can be found including varieties of palms, fruit, and citrus trees. Today our site contains 88 species of fruit trees, 12 varieties of citrus trees, 96 species of palms, and 21 species of ficus. Learn more about the evolvement of the site when you tour the estate.
