Fort Myers (Lee County, Florida)
Lee County · Florida · Seminole Wars
History & Significance
Fort Myers was built on the site of earlier Fort Harvie, which the Army had moved to after a hurricane destroyed Fort Dulaney in October 1841. By 1856, the post contained 57 buildings and featured officers' quarters, a 2½-story hospital, warehouses, guardhouse, shops, a kitchen, bakery, laundry, sutler's store, stables, bowling alley, and bathing pier, along with a nearly 700-foot-long supply pier.
During the Third Seminole War, Seminole leader Billy Bowlegs responded to the destruction of a Seminole plantation by launching a raid near Fort Myers, sparking a conflict characterized by raids and reprisals with no large-scale battles. Following abandonment in 1858, Union forces reoccupied the fort in December 1863 to launch cattle raids against Confederate ranches in the interior, preventing shipment of beef to Confederate forces.
The Battle of Fort Myers, fought on February 20, 1865, remains the southernmost land battle of the Civil War. Captain Manuel A. Gonzalez founded the civilian community of Fort Myers on February 21, 1866, after becoming familiar with the area through years of delivering mail and supplies to the Union garrison.
Key Facts
Map
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🧳 Visiting
What you’ll see when you visit:
- Ruins of 1850s military installation on Caloosahatchee River
- Remains of blockhouses and fortifications from Seminole Wars era
- Historic site that gave name to modern Fort Myers city
- Strategic supply depot and defensive post during Native American conflicts
Sources
- https://www.legendsofamerica.com/fort-myers-florida-fort/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Myers,_Florida
- https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/floridas-forts
- https://www.archives.gov/files/research/military/indian-wars/florida-seminole-wars-1817-1858.pdf
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seminole_Wars
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Myers
- https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=208747