Downtown Fort Myers River District in Florida was previously used as a fort. This old fort was used by the military during the Civil and Seminole Wars. Take a walk along this district and learn about the area’s rich history. Lined with historic buildings, structures and gardens, this district will take you back in time. Some of the places to explore in the area are Burroughs Home and Gardens, Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center and many others. It is also home to several happening restaurants and bars.
Also known as the Murphy-Burroughs House, cattle rancher John Murphy constructed this Georgian Revival Mansion in 1901, sixteen years after the establishment of Fort Myers. The property has amazing views of the Caloosahatchee River and its location in the River District is close to many downtown attractions. The nearly three-acre estate allows visitors to walk the grounds and see plenty of lush, green foliage as well as a grotto fed by an Artesian well. The Burroughs family purchased the estate in 1918 and retained many of the antique furnishings and historical details. One of the last family members bequeathed the home to the city of Fort Myers in 1978 and it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Today it is run under the auspices of the Uncommon Friends Foundation and they provide guided tours twice a week.
