It was a surprise to discover that Ford and Edison had a summer estate here. Thomas Edison was looking a warmer spot for the winter. He purchased 13 acres along the Caloosahatchee River and created an estate that included two homes and Laboratory. Riva and I decided that would be a great trip. The site is a national heritage site and the homes have been restored with the original period pieces and the grounds are filled with the original plants that Edison brought to the estate.
This will be a two part blog... These are pictures from the grounds, next one of the buildings.
I have visited the Ford estates in Dearborn and Greenfield Village and did not know that this estate even existed. It was a lovely afternoon and I highly recommend if your in the area you visit.
 |
| Great Egret on the grounds of the estate. |
 |
| Edison and Harvey Firestone were trying to find a tree that would grow in Florida to produce a natural rubber. One of the trees was a India Banyan Tree planted in 1925 it was only 4' high and 2" in diameter. The tree now is an acre in diameter and has some 350 roots |
 |
| Stag horn Fern |
 |
| Queens Wreath |
 |
| Mango Tree |
 |
| Caloosahatchee River |
 |
| White Bird of Paradise |
 |
| In the 20's aquatic flowers became popular. The Lily Pound as added to the grounds in 1939. It also provided an over flow for pool water. Mina Edison planted her favorite iris, water lilies and papyrus |
 |
| Banana plants over hanging the pool |
 |
| Tree Crinum |
 |
| Moonlight Garden was an extension to the little office . Ford financed this feature, designed by Ellen Biddle Shipment. At night the moon reflected in the waters of the pool |
No comments:
Post a Comment