LIVE WEBCAMS FOR FORT MYERS BEACH

Fort Myers Beach, located on Estero Island in Lee County, Florida, is a barrier island community with a rich history marked by Calusa Indians, pioneering settlers, hurricanes, and transformation into a beloved beach town. Once a rugged fishing outpost, it grew into a lively tourist destination before being dramatically reshaped by Hurricane Ian in 2022.

 

Pre-Colonial Era: Calusa Civilization

The Calusa Indians, a powerful and seafaring people, were the first known inhabitants of Estero Island.

 

They built shell mounds (middens) and lived in complex communities supported by fishing and trade across Southwest Florida.

 

Artifacts from their civilization are still found in the region today.

 

Spanish Exploration (1500s)

Spanish explorers like Ponce de León explored the Gulf Coast in the 1500s, encountering fierce resistance from the Calusa.

 

Though no permanent Spanish settlements were built on Estero Island, the area was mapped and eventually claimed under Spanish Florida.

 

19th Century: Pioneer Fishing Village

After Florida became a U.S. territory (1821), Estero Island remained mostly undeveloped due to its remote location and swampy terrain.

 

In the late 1800s, pioneers and fishermen began settling the island, primarily harvesting mullet, shellfish, and sponges.

 

The island’s first homesteaders arrived in the 1880s, building small cottages and shacks along the beach.

 

20th Century: Tourism and Development

The island's growth accelerated in the 1920s–1930s with dredging and the construction of a bridge to the mainland.

 

Fort Myers Beach became a modest but growing vacation spot with beach cottages, mom-and-pop hotels, and fishing piers.

 

The town remained relaxed and uncommercialized until the post–World War II boom, when the Florida tourism industry exploded.

 

Incorporation and Modernization

Fort Myers Beach officially became an incorporated town in 1995, allowing local residents more control over development, zoning, and environmental protection.

 

The area became known for:

• Times Square (a central shopping and dining area)

• The iconic Fort Myers Beach Pier

• Shelling and wildlife watching

• Lively events like the annual Shrimp Festival and Sand Sculpting Championship

 

Hurricane Ian (2022): Devastation and Rebuilding

On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian, a powerful Category 4 storm, made landfall near Fort Myers Beach.

 

The town was devastated, with entire neighborhoods, historic buildings, and businesses destroyed or heavily damaged.

 

Recovery has been slow but determined, with ongoing rebuilding and revitalization efforts focused on:

• Infrastructure repair

• Resilient building codes

• Preserving community character while modernizing

 

Today’s Fort Myers Beach

Despite setbacks, Fort Myers Beach is rebuilding its place as a cherished Gulf Coast destination, offering:

• Miles of white sand beaches

• Boating and dolphin tours

• Mound House Museum (historic site on a Calusa shell mound)

• Lovers Key State Park, a popular natural beach and kayaking area nearby