The city of Fort Myers went through a dramatic metamorphosis in the early 20th century from a largely frontier cow town to a thriving metropolitan center for commerce, citrus production and, of course, tourism. The latest book from Southwest Florida historian and author Tom Hall explores that development through the lens of a series of major fires that nearly derailed the city’s development. In Volume Two of “Epic Fires of Fort Myers: How a Series of Early Fires Influenced the Town’s Development,” Hall focuses in on four major blazes and a handful of smaller fires that shaped the city just during a 14-month span between 1914 and 1915. We’ll also speak with retired Fort Myers Fire Department Chief Richard Chappelle whose analysis and fire safety tips are also included in the book.
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