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History of Estero, Fort Myers, Florida
Estero's exciting history is made up of Native Americans, Spanish Explorers, pirates and an interesting religious sect known as the Koreshans. The land now called Estero was originally home to the Caloosa Indians, who inhabited many of the islands and estuaries along the west coast of Florida. These peaceful Native Americans farmed and fished the fresh water tributaries. Spanish explorers named the region Estero, the Spanish word for estuary. Ponce de Leon may have come to Estero when he explored areas along Southwest Florida's Gulf coast in 1513 & 1521. DeSoto may also have sailed the waters around Estero in 1513. During the last half of the 1700s, the area was a base of operations for bands of pirates raiding the cargo ships sailing to and from the port of New Orleans.
By 1914, this isolated paradise was home to only a handful of European homesteaders, people courageous enough to live an area of bear, panthers and mosquitoes. A religious sect known as the Koreshans came to play a significant role in the history of Estero. In 1894, the Koreshans, a Utopian society, settled in Estero and built several integral public buildings. The colony believed that the entire universe existed within a giant, hollow sphere. The colony began fading after 1908, and in 1961 the last four members deeded the land to the state. Today, people can visit Koreshan State Park to fish, picnic, boat, and hike where the Koreshan visionaries once carried out survey experiments to prove the horizon on the beach curved upward.
For the next several years, Estero remained a quiet sleepy agricultural community. Most recently, the area has seen a building boom. Today Estero is home to retirees, professionals and young families who live in well developed, attractive neighborhoods. Through careful city planning and efforts to monitor and accommodate the growing influx of new residents, Estero successfully maintains its charm and small town quality.
Location of Estero
Estero is situated between Fort Myers to the north and Bonita Springs to the south. Estero offers easy access to I-75 and U.S. 41, the area's major north-south corridors. The tranquil town rests along the Estero River, a scenic waterway rich with native wildlife. Egrets, flamingos, herons and spoonbills live in this pristine sanctuary. The Estero River flows into Estero Bay, a treasured and protected aquatic preserve which supports deer, raccoon and the occasional American Bald Eagle
Real Estate in Estero: Many Choices!
Estero Real Estate offers diverse properties. You can choose from a permanent home, an investment home or a vacation home. Single-family homes, condominiums, investment lots, golf course properties, gated communities, waterfront homes and new construction are some of the properties available in Estero. Many great local and national builders are developing new home communities in the Estero area right now. These communities offer active adult or family friendly neighborhoods. No matter what type of real estate you are seeking, Estero has an incredibly wide range of choices to offer you. As Estero Real Estate specialists, we will be able to assist you in all aspects of buying or selling your home.
Things to do in Estero
There are restaurants, interesting shops and historical sites to visit. There are amazing nature preserves, biking and hiking trails to be enjoyed. Estero is situated near water, so there are incredible fishing opportunities available. Sailing, kayaking, power boating, water skiing and dolphin and manatee tours can be enjoyed. Canoeing, swimming, beaching, hiking, nature tours are some of the other outdoor activities that are available almost year round! In addition, within a few miles of Estero, you will find some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Fort Myers Beach and the surrounding islands of Sanibel, Captiva and Bonita Beach offer more than 50 miles of pristine white sandy beaches overlooking the breathtaking Gulf of Mexico.
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