Friendships That Matter

Posted by AR on August 2nd, 2010 filed in Islands and Beaches
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Several years ago, I visited the Winter Estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford and came away being touched not by the power and fame these two men represented in America but by something much simpler—the friendship they shared. Edison and his family spent much more time at his Ft. Myers home than the Fords did, but whenever the two were together, you get a sense that they were friends in the most sincere sense.

When Edison learned that the home next to his two houses was on the market, he immediately asked Henry Ford if he wanted to purchase it. Ford had visited Edison in Ft. Myers many times so the natural thing for him to do was to live next next door to his friend. There are countless photos that have been taken of the two men and their families together at their winter estates. On occasion, they were joined by Harvey Firestone. The three men were on a hunt for a product that would make better tires, latex gloves, and much more. We can only imagine the conversations they had together.

One particular point of interest for me was the gate that stood between Thomas Edison’s Seminole Lodge and Henry Ford’s home, which was named: The Mangoes. It was called, The Friendship Gate. You can see where the original one was located in the photo above. When Ford was in Ft. Myers, the gate was always open. When he left, it was closed and not opened again until he returned. It was symbolic of their relationship and the “welcome” they had for one another. I don’t know why this very small jester has always stuck with me, but it has. It seems that friends come and go too easily these days. I once had a college professor ask a group of us if we could name five friends that we had known for ten years. No one could do this. These men, as powerful and as famous as they were, remained friends up until Edison’s death in 1931.

Some of the last words Edison spoke were of Henry Ford. He said, “I can only say that in the fullest meaning of the term, he is my friend.”

No Bail Out Here!

Posted by AR on August 1st, 2010 filed in Islands and Beaches
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While visiting Thomas Edison’s winter estate, I also got to see where Henry Ford had his home. The two were close friends for the later part of their lives. In fact, they lived next door to one another while they were in Ft. Myers.

Even though I’m not a big fan of Ford Motor Company, I couldn’t help but think that Henry would be proud of the fact that Ford resisted the temptation last year to take bail out money from the government.

Old Florida

Posted by AR on August 1st, 2010 filed in Islands and Beaches
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One of the fun things that happened on this trip was revisiting old Florida. (Annie for more “snap shots” of the city square in Ocala click here.)

Not So Typical

Posted by AR on July 30th, 2010 filed in Islands and Beaches
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Catching sunsets on this trip has been tricky at best. In fact, it has almost been impossible due to heavy late afternoon thunderstorms. It’s been hot, hot, hot and that is a sure sign that thunderstorms will roll in. After yesterday’s storms, I grabbed the camera and headed down to the dock just in time to photograph this beautiful scene. A typical sunset scene in not so typical southwest Florida.

Thomas Edison’s Pier

Posted by AR on July 30th, 2010 filed in Islands and Beaches
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Thomas Edison (the man who invented the light bulb among many other things) purchased 13 acres of land along the Caloosahatchee River in Ft. Myers in 1885. How did he get this far south? Tour guides at his winter retreat say he was seeking a refuge from the harsh winters in New Jersey. A year after he bought the property, he and his new bride, Mina, visited the area. Two homes were constructed on the property—one was the Edison’s main retreat cottage and the second one (next door) was for friends and family. The pier in this photo was the first thing built at Seminole Lodge. Nearly all the home’s contents were delivered by boat to this pier. Early photos also show a summer house located at the end of the pier where family and friends gathered to enjoy cool ocean breezes.