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Not far from the legendary coastal
riverfront town of Ft. Myers, just a short trek upriver
along the Caloosahatchee, the whole perspective of city
life and modern Florida disappears as if by magic. Just
as you make the bend in the river in sight of the Old
Ft. Denaud swing bridge , if you look up you might see a
plane on final approach to Sky Manor Estates.
In the early days, many of America’s
foremost entrepreneurs, businessmen and inventors
frequented this very area. Edison, Ford and Firestone
are to name a few. They came for the sunshine, tropical
foliage, lazy moss laden oaks and the quality of life we
call “Old Florida”. This pace of life is one that
restores the spirit, enriches the soul, captivates the
imagination and is still found here today. The Old
Florida charm, somewhat elusive in this day and age, is
alive and well in this small enclave tucked away in the
midst of oaks and orange groves in southwest Florida.
The area has seen many changes, yet
is unchanged in many ways. All around there are quiet
remnants of the past. Along the banks of the river you
might find fossils of every description from prehistoric
shark teeth, shells and mastodon bones to other bits and
pieces of the ice age. This area held the most
southerly watering hole used by ancient elephants,
panthers and a host of other critters. Nearby, Caloosa
Indian mounds have been found, testimony to the
centuries of occupation by the Caloosa and Seminole
Indians. |
