The once sleepy barrier island labeled Estero Island on navigational charts was dubbed Fort Myers Beach in the early part of the 20th century by city folks who spent their weekends on its wide, sandy beaches. Centuries earlier, an abundance of fish and other seafood made the 6.5-mile-long island attractive to its earliest inhabitants, the Calusa, as well as explorers, fisherfolk, and a pirate or two. In the late 19th century, early homesteaders were lured by stories of free tillable soil in a balmy climate surrounded by warm waters and ankle-deep shells. When pink shrimp, labeled "Pink Gold,"...

Tucked between the mainland of southwest Florida and the islands of Sanibel and Captiva is a 17-mile-long island accessible by a single drawbridge. A haven for some and a home to others, the community of Pine Island is a rare and lingering remnant of old Florida. The islands shores are home to mangroves teaming with fish instead of crowded beaches, making it a major destination for sport fishing enthusiasts and providing a livelihood for the independent commercial fishing families of the island. The genuine personalities and untouched splendor of Pine Island have attracted numerous artists to...

When Ponce de Leon visited Southwest Florida in 1513, he discovered some of North Americas most pristine tropical islands. Yet it was here where the explorer met his death at the hands of Calusa Indians who had made their home on the islands since 500 bc. Remaining relatively isolated from mainland society until the mid-1900s, the islands were home to a few hardscrabble pioneers who endured stifling heat, swarming mosquitoes, and deadly storms. Famous anglers such as Thomas Edison, Zane Grey, and Teddy Roosevelt enjoyed stalking the elusive tarpon in this sports fishing paradise. Likewise,...