Ponce de Leon explored areas along Florida's Gulf coast in 1513 & 1521. The barrier islands of Lee County are believed to be one of his many stops. Spanish and Cuban settlers created temporary fishing and farming camps along the coast, but for years Southwest Florida was a rugged and isolated area.

In the early 1700s the Lee Island coastline first appeared with some accuracy in British maps. During the last half of the 1700s coastal areas of Lee County were a base of operations for bands of pirates raiding the cargo ships sailing to and from the port of New Orleans.

Florida became a US Territory in 1821, and the ensuing wave of settlers asked for protection from the native Seminoles. Fort Myers was built along the Caloosahatchee River as one of the first bases of operations during the Seminole Indian Wars. Fort Myers was named in honor of Colonel Abraham C. Myers, the son-in-law of the commander of Fort Brooke in Tampa.

The fort was abandoned in 1858 and reoccupied by Federal troops from 1863-1865. The Southernmost battle of the Civil War, a skirmish between Northern and Southern troops occurred across the river in 1865 and is reenacted annually at the North Fort Myers Cracker Festival.

The fort itself was disassembled, and some of the wood used in construction of some of the first buildings in what would become downtown Fort Myers. No more than ten families lived in the original town when it was platted in 1876.

Herds of cattle were driven past the old fort grounds to Punta Rassa where they were lifted onto schooners and steamers using block and tackle, and shipped to Cuba. Cattle, farming, and logging were early mainstays in the Fort Myers area. Tomatoes, avocados, and castor beans were cultivated on Sanibel Island. Many pineapple plantations flourished inland along the river as settlers began to move away from the fort area.

By 1885 Fort Myers was bursting with pride and a bulging population of 349, the second largest town on Florida's Gulf Coast south of Cedar Key. That same year Thomas Alva Edison was cruising Florida's west coast and stopped to visit the village.

Captivated with what he saw, Edison built his home and laboratory, Seminole Lodge, on the banks of the Caloosatchee River. He subsequently became Fort Myers' most famous resident and a strong force in its growth and development.

Sporting the youngest population in Lee County, with a median age of 32, the City of Fort Myers is also home to the historic winter residences of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. Extensive renovation of the historic downtown waterfront is underway, with new restaurants, nightclubs, apartments, and artistic venues providing energy and growth.

Throughout the year, Southwest Florida residents and visitors enjoy cultural events overlooking the river at Centennial Park and the Fort Myers Yacht Basin.

 

North Fort Myers    The unincorporated community of North Fort Myers is often referred to as the "Gateway to Lee County." Indeed, if coming from the north, the only routes leading to anywhere and everywhere in Lee County first pass through North Fort Myers. These pathways include I-75 to the east, US 41 to the west, and Business 41, which branches off US 41 and goes eastward from the "gateway." A half-century back, the only US 41 was the business route now called "Old 41," and was the only main thoroughfare. It was called "The Tamiami Trail," and still is today. It got its name for being the only way to get from Tampa to Miami, and was a narrow two-lane way, not paved everywhere. It is presently undergoing another transformation — this time from four to six lanes. According to a recent publication of the North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, this gateway community covers 70 square miles. It is adjacent to Cape Coral on the west side. The Caloosahatchee River brushes its southern borders, and Charlotte County is its northern neighbor. On the east side are wide stretches of undeveloped land. North Fort Myers is home to a number of upscale, gated communities. Usually, they are built around lushly landscaped golf courses with most being open to the public

 Alva     

Is a Rural area with increasing number of housing developments. Alva is in Lee County, in the Cape Coral

Fort Myers metro area. The community name derives from Latin for "white," for a small white flower

growing here.

The latitude of Alva is 26.715N. The longitude is -81.61W. It is in the Eastern Standard time zone. Elevation is 16 feet.

The population, at the time of the 2000 census, was 2,182.

Alva is on the Caloosahatchee River

Historic sites and museums: Alva Historical Museum

Average climate in Alva, Florida

Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

 

Hospitals/medical centers near Alva:

• LEHIGH REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (about 9 miles; LEHIGH ACRES, FL)
• SOUTHWEST FLORIDA REG MED CENTER (about 18 miles; FORT MYERS, FL)
• LEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 19 miles; FORT MYERS, FL)

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Alva:

• SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INTL (about 15 miles; FORT MYERS, FL; ID: RSW)
• CHARLOTTE COUNTY (about 29 miles; PUNTA GORDA, FL; ID: PGD)
• NAPLES MUNI (about 40 miles; NAPLES, FL; ID: APF)

Other public-use airports nearest to Alva:

• LA BELLE MUNI (about 15 miles; LA BELLE, FL; ID: X14)
• PAGE FIELD (about 18 miles; FORT MYERS, FL; ID: FMY)
• IMMOKALEE (about 26 miles; IMMOKALEE, FL; ID: IMM)

Amtrak station near Alva:

• 18 miles: FORT MYERS (13000 N. CLEVELAND AVE.) - Bus Station. Services: public payphones, call for taxi service.

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Alva:

• EDISON COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 22 miles; FT MYERS, FL; Full-time enrollment: 5,032)
• FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY (about 25 miles; FT MYERS, FL; FT enrollment: 2,466)
• MANATEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 83 miles; BRADENTON, FL; FT enrollment: 4,539)
• TRAVIS TECHNICAL CENTER (about 93 miles; LAKELAND, FL; FT enrollment: 2,057)
• POLK COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 93 miles; WINTER HAVEN, FL; FT enrollment: 3,028)
• INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 100 miles; FT PIERCE, FL; FT enrollment: 6,149)
• HILLSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 103 miles; TAMPA, FL; FT enrollment: 9,630)

Private high school in Alva:

• FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ALVA S (Students: 32; Location: P O BOX 577; Grades: PK - 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Alva:

• ALVA MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 653; Location: P O BOX 128; Grades: 06 - 08)
• ALVA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 425; Location: P O BOX 278; Grades: PK - 05)

Alva compared to Florida state average:

• Black race population percentage significantly below state average.
• Hispanic race population percentage below state average.
• Median age significantly above state average.
• Foreign-born population percentage below state average.
• Renting percentage significantly below state average.
• House age below state average.
• Number of college students significantly below state average.
• Population density significantly below state average for cities.