Edison's plan of a "Floridian bower in the lowlands of the peninsular Eden, with that charmed zone of beauty" was realized as he completed the Seminole Lodge Estate.
By the fall of 1885 designs were completed and materials for construction and painting of the houses and laboratory were purchased. Furnishings, linens, books, and fishing gear were selected. All materials were sent down from northern cities by several steamships, unloaded and assembled on site.
On February 24, 1886, Thomas and Mina Miller were married. Soon after, the couple traveled down to stay at Seminole Lodge. The Florida paradise continued to draw Thomas, and Mina their children, extended family, friends, and business associates for the following 61 years.
"The house is a dream through and we are living in fairyland," wrote Mina Edison to her mother, February 15, 1910. In Seminole Lodge the Edison family found a retreat from the cold of the northern winter, as well as from the busy work and social demands of New Jersey. However, Edison continued his research on various projects in Fort Myers.
Grateful to the local citizens, Mina deeded the property and the homes to the City of Fort Myers in 1947 for $1. Seminole Lodge has been open for the public to visit and enjoy since November 1947.
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