This building was located at 2282 First Street, Fort Myers.

The Bank of Fort Myers opened for business in 1906. In 1911, Harvie Heitman (a bank officer) was responsible for the construction of a 3 story bank building for the Bank of Fort Myers. It was located at 2282 First Street. The first Floor was the lobby. The second floor was office space. The third floor was the home of Lodge 631 Order of Odd Fellows.

The bank featured a steel lined vault with automatic locking. The building front was brick and plate glass. The interior was fitted with black cypress wood. There were electric lights and running water.

Unfortunately, like many other financial institutions, the Bank of Fort Myers closed during the Depression.

For a while, J.C. Penney used the building. Many other businesses followed. The second floor was unoccupied since the 1960’s. The third floor was unused since the 1930’s.

It was previously the site of the Rendezvous Restaurant and Lounge. It is currently the site of Izzy’s Restaurant.

This building is located at 1529 Lee Street, Fort Myers. It was built in 1948. It was originally a DeSoto Plymouth Dealership. Over the years, it served as a professional office and retail space. It is currently vacant.

This business was located at the corner of First Street and Broadway.

In the 1900’s, W.P. Franklin was a traveling hardware salesman in Florida. In 1904, he visited Fort Myers. He returned in 1913 and took over a hardware store at First and Hendry. It was called Franklin Hardware Company.

In 1937, he built a new store at Broadway and First Street. The building has an unique art deco style. There was Carrera Glass on the front facade. This was a hardware store until the 1960’s.

After the store closed, it was taken over by the Saint Vincent DePaul Thrift Store.

Currently, this now is an elegant two story shopping emporium. It features a mix of jewelry, fashion, art work, finishing accessories, and beauty gifts.

This building is located at 1528–1542 Broadway

Patio De Leon

James Hendry was responsible for construction of the building at 2229 Main Street, Fort Myers. He maintained a general store here beginning in 1911.

Beginning in 1927, the Lee County Bank and Trust occupied this building. They made modifications including stuccuoing over the outside walls and adding a pair of Doric Columns at the corner entrance. This gave the building a Neoclassical look.

The bank failed during the Depression. It was reorganized as the Lee County Bank. It remained in business until 1965.

The building is now used by Main Street Antiques and Collectibles.

     This building is located at the northwest corner of First Street and Jackson Street.  Harvie Heitman bankrolled by Ambrose McGregor built Lee County’s first brick building at this site.  It opened as Fort Myers first grocery store in 1898.  It was owned by both Harvie Heitman and Gilmer Heitman.

     Over the years this building has many tenants and alterations.  Its current appearance is similar to its 1920’s appearance.  It has a Mediterranean Revival style.

  

   This house is located at 2572 East First Street, Fort Myers.  It was built in 1921 for Franklin Alderman, Sr., a Fort Myers banker. The architect was Addison Mizner.  The style was Spanish Colonial Revival/ Mediterranean Revival Style.  It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

     The house was used as a commerce building for 30-50 years.  Some of these used included Royal Palm Antiques, Cypress Club and the National Headquarters of Healthcare Television Network.

     The current owner is Doreen Lehner.  She purchased the property in 2017 from Jaxi Builders .   Selling price was $620,000. Ms. Lehner has spent $20o,000 renovating the house.

     She rents 2 rooms and a cottage for Airbnb.