Fort Myers - Edison-Ford Complex

The winter homes and estates of two of America's most famous early 20th century industrialists. Thomas Edison first came to Florida in 1885 to improve his health. He bought 14 acres of land and built two connected cottages, one for himself and the other for his business partner Ezra Gilliland. He spent winters here with his family until his death in 1931. Tours of the property visit his house ("Semiole Lodge"), laboratory, workshop, tropical garden and a museum with some of his numerous inventions. In total, Edison has nearly 1,100 patents in his name. He is most famous for inventing the incandescent light bulb, the phonograph and the movie camera.

Edison met Henry Ford at a convention in 1896. The two became good friends and Ford bought the adjacent house to Edison's in 1916. Tours of Ford's house "Mangoes" also make stops in his citrus and bamboo garden and the garage with antique Ford automobiles.