Hear the names Thomas Edison and Henry Ford and immediately descriptive words and phrases like genius, inventor and captain of industry leap to mind.
Now think beachcombers, camping buddies and snowbirds.
The latter images came when the two men, best friends, traveled to their winter estates in the then small fishing village of Fort Myers.
In 1885 Edison arrived first when he literally followed a bamboo trail up the Caloosahatchee River and discovered his own slice of paradise.
Two houses and a laboratory were built, with precut Maine lumber, but due to a disagreement with a friend then occupying one of the houses, Edison and his family spent winters elsewhere until 1906.
Upon his return and purchase of the second home, for use as a guesthouse, renovations began on Seminole Lodge and once again the Edison family wintered in Fort Myers.
Ford, once an employee of Edison’s, counted the older man as a mentor and eventually a close friend. Following the establishment of the Ford Motor Company and the start of the country’s love affair with his Model T Ford ,and his wife Clara, also became snowbirds along the Gulf Coast.
Purchasing an adjacent house from Edison’s complex, the Mangoes the stage was set for sun drenched winter activities like camping excursions into the nearby Everglades.
Today the playground for the two friends, now called the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, still invites visitors. With subjects on gardening, antiques, shopping, history and naturally - science the Estates appeal to many levels of interest. Conveniently, the offered tours botanical, house and gardens and museum and laboratory allow a visitor to take either a small bite or devour the entire attraction.
Edison would be unaware the 21st century existed should he walk into his former laboratory. Under low hanging lamps his original “cat nap” bed is close to Bunsen burners, microscopes and other equipment. One impressive piece is the framed giant goldenrod a reminder of the 20’s research company, formed by Edison, Ford and tire magnet Harvey Firestone, with the intent of locating a natural source of rubber.
Stroll through the museum, and appreciate both men’s continuing influence on modern life. Like your MP3? Without the phonograph’s invention you might be humming to your own vioce. Also on exhibit is the prototype Model T Ford presented to Edison.
Cross McGregor Boulevard, with its stately palm trees, and head toward the houses. The inventor’s home and guesthouse are light and airy, especially his wife’s rose garden inspired bedroom. Verandas, strewn with green wicker furniture, face both the street and the river, once making it a popular seating area for the family and friends.
The Mangoes’ darker interior is a stark contrast.
One of the first swimming pools, built in Florida, is beyond the equisite Moonlight Gardens.
While history and science are two primary reasons people visit the Estates – the tropical gardens are an equally strong draw.
Orchids and bromeliads bloom year-round. By the Ford House red hibiscus, walking iris and Florida lilac flourish. Jackfruit, spiral ginger and king’s mantle are planted around the Edison home and guesthouse.
What garners the most comments, and photographs, is the Banyan tree by the parking lot, laboratory, museum, store and ticket office. Yes, that is correct – one tree is over 84’ tall and close to 400’ in diameter. Now the largest of its kind in the United States, it was only 4' in 1925 when presented by Harvey Firestone.
In an opening of the behemoth tree stands a statue of Edison. He wears a contented smile as if remembering a quote of his.
"Friendship is the leaven of life."
For more information see: www.efwefla.org
Unsure of what a snowbird is? seustravel.suite101.com/blogs.cfm#its_snowbird_season
