Historic signs to adorn FMB structures
With the idea to preserve the history of Fort Myers Beach and to promote historic tourism on the island, eight Beach structures have been assigned individual Historic Designation Awards. The action, a cooperative effort between the Town and the Historic Preservation Board, was part of a ceremony to recognize the Historic Advisory Committee Monday in Council Chambers.
“We are the lucky ones because we get to do the fun things,” said Historic Advisory Committee member A.J. Bassett. “We have many treasures. It’s the community of people who have gone before us that we really need to be appreciative of. That’s where our history comes from.”
The eight structures, which have been previously recognized for historic significance, will be designated plaques. They are The Historic Society at 161 Bay Rd.; The Annex at 161 Bay Rd.; The Rain Barrel at 161 Bay Rd.; Beach Elementary School at 2751 Oak St; the Russ Carter Cottage at 251 Pearl St.; the Pink Shell Cottages at 385 Estero Blvd.; the Mound House at 289 Connecticut St.; and St. Raphael’s Church at 5601 Williams Dr.
“Because they are important and significant, these plaques will be placed with the owners’ permission,” said Bassett. “We hope people will be as excited as we are with our history.”
The Historic Preservation Board was asked by Council to update the history of the island after certain details were left out from the original history. A brochure to identify the celebrated structures was conceived.
The brochure’s mission reads: ‘The history of Estero Island is our heritage of this barrier island. Our goal is to preserve the history and to protect our island resources for future generations as our island evolves and re-develops over time.’
“The brochure is to encourage people where to look for these plaques,” Bassett said. “We hope to see many, many more put on buildings.”
On Friday, Oct. 23, Bassett and her cohorts will be giving history lessons during guided walks through Matanzas Pass Preserve at 155 Bay St. The event is called “Visions of the Past” and will include facts and folklore of the Calusa Indians, pirates, Koreshans and other early settlers and pioneers of the Beach.
“You will be seeing us in costumes giving the history of each one of those eras,” she said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. We’re going to have hot apple cider on the deck of the cottage when we finish the tour.”
FMB Mayor Larry Kiker applauded the beginning stages of the Historic Preservation Board’s work.
“These ladies have been our mainstay in terms of putting our history together,” he said. “I don’t think there is any amount of thanks that would substantiate the work that all of them have done and the persistence that they have shown to encourage us. These plaques are going to be a constant reminder of who we are and who we have been.”