ST INS CARES-Estero Island Historic Society-From Calusa Empire To Hurricane Ian: Preserving Fort Myers Beach History

A century-old cottage with a six-foot storm line, a rare rain barrel that once caught every drop, and neighbors who refused to let their stories wash away—this is how Fort Myers Beach remembers. We sat with Janet Gottlieb and Ellie Bunting of the Estero Island Historical Society to trace the island’s long arc from the Calusa empire to Hurricane Ian, and to show how real preservation happens: one artifact, one photo, one shared memory at a time.

We walk through the island’s boom-and-bust rhythms, the shock of losing paper archives to storm surge, and the grassroots recovery that followed. Ellie’s book, The Lost Icons of Fort Myers Beach, turned grief into action and funded new floors, walls, and storage while the community brought in hand-painted street signs, salvaged photos, and home videos. With help from FGCU, decades of tapes and oral histories are being digitized. WGCU is gathering family beach footage for an upcoming documentary, proving that everyday joy can be powerful public history.

You’ll hear about a revitalized programming slate: decade-by-decade exhibits from the 1800s to 1920, live “murder mystery” events based on true island lore, and public talks that connect culture, faith, and community resilience. We also highlight partnerships with Matanzas Pass Preserve and the Mound House, where visitors can stand on Calusa shell mounds, trace ancient canals, and see how water shaped survival long before utilities and condos. For newcomers and longtime residents, this is a field guide to belonging—where to go, what to read, and how to pitch in.

If you care about Fort Myers Beach history, there’s a role for you. Bring artifacts, share photos, record a story, become a member, or shop custom mugs featuring historic street names. Hit play, then come see the cottage, walk the trails when they reopen, and help us keep the island’s memory alive. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a neighbor who loves this place as much as you do.

Estero Island Historical Society
Ellie Bunting and Janet Gottlieb
161 Bay Road, Fort Myers Beach, Florida, 33931
profbunting@gmail.com
esteroislandhistoricsociety.org

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