Patio De Leon
Begin the historic buildings self-guided tour in the Patio de Leon. Originally, Patio de Leon was known as Tonnelier Court after its builder, Peter Tonnelier. Small, live alligators kept in the courtyard's original fountain were an early tourist attraction. In 1924, the courtyard was sold to George R. Sims, who renamed it Patio de Leon (note the "leon"/lion motif throughout). The Patio has been a popular gathering place since its creation, hosting a vast array of stores, restaurants, services, entertainment, and offices. The main draw for decades was the Omar Theatre, shown in the historic photo, which was built in the Moorish Revival style. Although the theatre no longer exists, plenty of entertainment and community gatherings are still held in the Patio today.
39-41 Patio De Leon
Street entrance. On your left (west) is the 39-41 Patio de Leon building. Although little is known of the 39-41 Patio de Leon building located inside the Patio de Leon, it was built around 1926 and is unique in the area for its Oriental/Moorish stylistic influences. The building was designed with a symmetrical three-bay elevation, Moorish-influenced turned columns, decorative plastered horizontal banding, and a prominent central arch. It is suspected that the building may have been commissioned by George Sims, one of Fort Myers' prominent developers who oversaw the construction of several buildings around the same time period. Today it houses an art gallery and bar.
Tonnelier Block
Still remaining in the Patio de Leon, turn around to face the Main Street entrance to your south. On the left (east) of the entrance is the Tonnelier Block building. Peter Tonnelier, who built the Patio de Leon, also constructed the Tonnelier Block building at its southeast corner. He designed the edifice with large plate glass windows on the ground floor so that the businesses on that level could entice visitors to enter their shops by showcasing their merchandise and services through large displays. The second floor was designed to be used either for office space, or as an annex to the adjacent hotel. Today, nightclub and small restaurant are located on the first floor, while the remainder of the building undergoes restoration.
Greystone Hotel
The Greystone Hotel was built by powerhouse developer Peter Tonnelier, who constructed 3 other hotels, several commercial buildings, and Tonnelier Court―rechristened Patio de Leon―at whose entrance this former hotel sits. It was built in 1916 to replace the former Michigan Hotel that had been destroyed by fire two years earlier. When it opened for business, the Greystone Hotel's upper floors were used as a hotel, while the first floor had a variety of uses, including the original location of the Lee County Bank.
Lee County Bank Building
Continue south along Hendry Street to the corner of Hendry and Main streets. On your right, at the northeast corner, is the Lee County Bank Building. The Lee County Bank Building was built by pineapple farming explorer James A. “Pineapple Jim” Hendry in 1911 as a general store and post office. The exterior was stuccoed in 1927 when the Lee County Bank, Title and Trust Company relocated into the building. In July 1932, the bank closed when unable to meet depositor demands during the Great Depression, but it was reopened the following March as the Lee County Bank, where that banking institution remained until 1965. An antique mall is the building’s current resident.
Edison Theater
From the Gwynne Institute, turn around, cross Second Street, and head north on Jackson Street. Cross Main Street; turn left (west) and walk to the corner of Main and Hendry streets. On your right will be the Edison Theater. The Edison Theater was built in the early 1940s when its modified Art Deco style was in vogue. Erected by the Florida State Theaters, Inc., chain, the Edison Theater was the most modern theater in town in its day. Its interior contained an elegantly-decorated lobby, restrooms, and a balcony―features that exemplified these traditional American destinations of the era. It was a favorite meeting spot on Saturday nights for many local residents. Currently, it houses the offices of several attorneys.
McCrory's
Originally, Fort Myers' McCrory's Store, part of a well-known national chain of five and dime stores, was located in the Earnhardt Building since 1914. In 1936, this McCrory's location was built as one of the few downtown buildings with an Art Deco flair. Typical five and dime stores of the period sold clothing and shoes, fabric, household items, toys, cosmetics, penny candy, and usually included a lunch counter or snack bar. Today, the exterior of the McCrory's building remains virtually identical to its original condition.
First National Bank & Earnhardt Buildings
These buildings resulted from a feud between the Bank of Fort Myers (one block away) Bank Director Harvie E. Heitman, and First National Bank of Fort Myers Founder Walter G. Langford. When the Bank of Fort Myers erected a new building in 1911, First National built a more majestic building in response. The Earnhardt Building was a jab back at Langford by Heitman, who built the Earnhardt a remarkable 200 feet length along First Street. Today, the Bank building houses a law firm that has lovingly restored its interior; the Earnhardt originally held a pharmacy, and today is home to restaurants and retail stores.
Langford & Bank of Fort Myers Building
The Langford Building was erected between the new Bank of Fort Myers Building and the old livery stable. In later years, it was also known as The Grand Theatre, the first downtown movie theater. Eventually, it housed the JC Penney store, in direct competition to rival Sears & Roebuck across First Street. Today, a restaurant inhabits the first floor. Financing for the The Bank of Fort Myers Building was led by Bank Director Harvie Heitman, setting off a construction competition along First Street (see the First National Bank of Fort Myers, page 39). Current tenants include a restaurant, nail salon, and offices upstairs.
Edison Regency House & Franklin Arms Hotel
the Edison Regency House/Franklin Arms Hotel building began as the Hill House, a small boarding house operated by Mary F. Hill. It gradually expanded to become one of Fort Myers’ leading hotels. W.P Franklin purchased it in 1918 and renamed it the Franklin Arms Hotel. In 1924, a 7-story addition containing 84 rooms―including a rooftop restaurant―created the city’s first skyscraper. According to old hotel postcards, "...each room [had a] private bath and steam heat. Spacious Lobby, Veranda, Dining Room, Cocktail Bar, News-Stand. Sun Deck on Roof". Today it contains an office and residences.
Whitehurst Federal Building or Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (SBDAC)
The Whitehurst Federal Building is a Works Projects Administration (WPA) project from the Great Depression. It was built with Florida Key limestone embedded with coral formations, now an environmentally-protected rock no longer available for use. As a Post Office, users had 24-hour outdoor access to their post office boxes. When the Post Office moved in 1967, it became a Federal Courthouse. The Courthouse remained here until 1998, then the building was empty until Florida Arts, Inc., began restoration in 2003. Renamed the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, today it hosts performing arts, art gallery shows, fundraisers, and private banquets.
Heitman Building
As Fort Myers' first brick building, the Heitman Building was a successful, modern grocery store for more than three decades. The first floor was a general store, and the second floor had offices. After the grocer closed, it was used as telephone company headquarters, a Western Union office, a Sears & Roebuck store, and a ladies clothing shop. Today, it is inhabited by shops and offices. In addition, the historic photo on the right shows the river originally coming to Bay Street, with north/south streets extending into the river on piers. Today's environmentally-friendly detention basin at Hendry Street symbolically restores the river to its original shoreline.
Arcade Theater
Bradford block in 1915 by Harvie and Gilmer Heitman. It was one of three movie theaters in Fort Myers at the time; the first one was The Grand Theatre across First Street, and in 1913, a theater was built in Tonnelier Court, now known as Patio de Leon. In the early days of film, silent movies were shown, as well as live performances. Just like today, the pedestrian Arcade housed shops and a theater, although originally it provided open air access between First and Bay streets. Nowadays, the nationally-acclaimed Florida Repertory Theatre company performs several plays each season.
Bradford Hotel Building
Prominent Fort Myers developer Harvie E. Heitman built The Bradford Hotel Building in 1905, financed by Tootie McGregor. The hotel was named after Tootie’s deceased son, Bradford, whose health issues were the catalyst for the family settling in Fort Myers. When the hotel opened, it offered 41 rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors to guests. By 1914, the hotel area of the building expanded to include the ground floor. It now features offices and retail businesses on the first floor, and private residences on the upper floors.
Heitman-Evans Hardware Building
In 1914, Harvie E. Heitman tore down a rickety, 40-year-old wooden structure to build what he promoted as one of the most modern hardware and sporting good stores in the country, Heitman-Evans Hardware. Spending between $35,000-$40,000 for construction, building perks included a large electric elevator and the latest modern fixtures. Since Fort Myers was a growing city in a popular sports fishing area, the business thrived. In the decades following its original use, the Heitman-Evans Hardware Building has held a department store, Heritage Square, school board offices, and a law firm.
Dean Building
Built by the developer of the Fort Myers Dean Park residential neighborhood, the Dean Building opened as the Morgan Hotel in 1924. Initially, 22 rooms were available to weary travelers, but the next year 70 more rooms were added to keep up with demand. Dean Street was constructed as a direct result of the hotel, to give the hotel entrances on both Dean and First streets. In the 1930s, hotel guests were invited to tea dances on the building's rooftop solarium. Over the years, the first floor was home to a shoe store, a children's clothing shop, real estate office, and restaurants. The first floor currently contains a restaurant, with office suites on the upper floors.
Fort Myers Realty Company
In its decades of existence, the Fort Myers Realty Company Building has been home to several real estate companies, including its namesake Fort Myers Realty Company from 1927 through the early 1930s. At the same time, the first floor featured H.B. Hoyer Grocery Company along First Street, although generally it held professionally-oriented such as attorneys and insurance companies. In the 1940s, however, the Elephant Restaurant operated in the former grocery spot and offered patrons food and a cold beer. Today, it once again features realty and attorney offices.
1412 Dean Street
Originally built as a series of 1-story brick buildings, the engineering owner of Davison, Ransom & Barton, Inc., added the 2nd and 3rd floors in 1926 using structural clay tile. For nearly 70 years, the building had many types of tenants. In 1999, the firm of Flanders Architecture, Inc., restored the 3-story structure and converted the 1-story portion into an entry courtyard, Dean Street Court. This design preserved the historic Dean Street façade, and allowed the entry courtyard to serve both the restored historic building and newly-constructed modern office building. Notice the structural brick and clay tile walls in the courtyard. Currently, an organic coffee & tea shop and an architectural firm reside in the building.
Towles Building
Built in 1925 when the river reached to Bay Street, the Towles Building was used as a fish house and processing facility. Following a vacant period, it was occupied again in 1946 as the Dew-Drop Inn Restaurant. Since then, the building has been used for several restaurant and entertainment venues. It is particularly valued for its rooftop restaurant/bar space with a spectacular 360° view of the river and the surrounding city.
