| | History (Source: WCities) | Top | The Seminole Indian Wars during the 1840s and 1850s brought about the construction of several union forts along the Caloosahatchee River to serve as a base of operation for federal troops. One was Fort Myers, named after Colonel Abraham C. Myers, chief quartermaster in Florida. It fell into disuse until the Civil War when it became an important outpost and was reoccupied. In 1521, 400 years earlier, Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon introduced cattle into the territory. They roamed the wide-open ranges freely, thriving on wild grasses and the plentiful Palmetto. During the Spanish occupation of Florida, large herds were raised, providing beef, tallow for candles and hides. When Florida became an American territory in 1821, people from the north began resettling here, many bringing their own cattle and breeding them with the Spanish cows. Raiding Indians and white outlaws were serious problems. Another was loss of stock by wolves, panthers and bears. These early cattle ranchers eventually developed the stronger and bigger Angus and Hereford cows. The Florida cattle industry flourished, as colorful and wild as the Old West, complete with hard-riding cowboys known as “Crackers” because of the popping noise from their whips, cross-country roundups, and tales of gun fights and rustlers. Sanibel Island saw its first settlers in 1833 as part of a private New York land investment program. Although it didn’t last long, the colonists petitioned the United States governme
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| How To Get There (Source: WCities) | Top | Getting There Air Southwest Florida International Airport ( RSW ) +1 239 768 1000 http://www.flylcpa.com/ RSW is located just minutes from downtown and services the following airlines: Air Canada ( +1 888 247 2262 / http://www.aircanada.com/en/home.html ) Air Tran ( +1 800 AIR TRAN / http://www.airtran.com/ ) American Airlines: American Eagle ( +1 888 247 2262 / http://www.aa.com/ ) ATA ( +1 800 435 9282 / http://www.ata.com/ ) Cape Air ( +1 800 352 0714 / http://www.flycapeair.com/ ) Continental ( +1 800 525 0280 / http://www.continental.com/ ) Delta ( +1 800 221 1212 / http://www.delta.com/ ) Frontier ( +1 800 432 1359 / http://www.flyfrontier.com/ ) Jet Blue ( +1 800 538 2583 / http://www.jetblue.com/ ) Jetsgo ( +1 866 440 0441 / http://www.jetsgo.com/ ) LTU International Airways ( +1 866 266 5588 / http://www.ltu-airways.com/ ) Midwest Airlines ( +1 800 425 2022 / http://www.midwestairlines.com/ ) Northwest ( +1 800 225-2525 / http://www.nwa.com/ ) Song Delta Air ( +1 800 359 7664 / http://www.flysong.com/ ) Southwest ( +1 800 435 9792/ http://www.southwest.com ) Spirit ( +1 800 772-7117/ http://www.spiritair.com/ ) Sun Country ( +1 800 359 6786 / http://www.suncountry.com/ ) Thomas Cook ( Powered by Condor ) ( +1 800 525 6975 / http://www1.condor.com/ ) United ( +1 800 241 6522 / http://www.united.com/ ) US Airways ( +1 800 428 4322 / http://www.usair.com
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| What To Do (Source: WCities) | Top | There’s lots to do and see in this growing corner of southwest Florida. Visit wildlife refuges, learn about the past through historic buildings and museums, explore secret inlets and coves by canoe or kayak, fish to your heart's delight, or just relax under a shaded palm and soak in the tropical atmosphere. Family Fun For some family fun just across the Caloosahatchee River in Cape Coral to the north of the city, there’s plenty of action, rides and activities at the Sun Splash Family Waterpark . Children will be enthralled with both the indoor and outdoor exhibits at the Children's Science Center . For light entertainment, there’s country music fun at the Ricochet or bowling at Gator Lanes. Museums For historic landmarks in the downtown district, visit the Burroughs Home , and the Florida Repertory Theatre, where plays and musical productions are performed to the enjoyment of the community. For more historic information on the development and settlement of the area during the days of cattle drives, the Civil War, and the Seminole Indians, don’t miss the Fort Myers Historical Museum and the Imaginarium . In Estero, there is the well known Koreshan State Historic Site , a legacy from a community sect that left its mark on the area and made significant contributions to its settlement. On Sanibel and Captiva, the only museum devoted solely to sea shells is the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum . For an appreciation of the culture and histor
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