I really enjoyed our visit to the historic cottage on Fort Myers beach and Matanzas Pass preserve. I had no idea of the rich history of the Fort Myers area. As early as the Native American era the area was settled and large mounds were formed by the native’s waste which consisted primarily of shells from the seafood they ate. In more contemporary times I thought it was very interesting how knowledgeable the elderly woman was of the net fishing history. People were making a living practicing net fishing for generations and when it was declared illegal they had to find another way to live. Supposedly the net fishing was killing other fish which were not intended to be netted. Not to mention she made some amazing sea grape jam that was made from local plants on the island! I also found it incredible that before the bridge today going from Fort Myers to the mainland there was a “swing bridge” operated by one man. The mangrove ecosystem around the historic cottage was also very fascinating. It always amazes me how many adaptations mangroves have developed in order to live in these extreme environments. The red mangrove with their long prop roots growing in the deepest water. The black mangrove behind the red with its checkerboard bark and Pneumatophores poking out of the mud. Finally the white mangrove which is found farthest away from the water, usually at the highest elevation. After leaving the historic cottage I enjoyed seeing the shrimp fleet under next to the bridge. I did not realize just how big the local shrimping industry was right here in Fort Myers. Moreover I always thought shrimping at night was how people every where caught their shrimp, it turns out that on the east coast the boats actually go out at night.
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