JPF Home Page Forums Creative Arts Forums Visual Arts and Photography Forum Thomas Edison's Banyan Tree

Edison bought property for a winter home along the Caloosahatchee river in Ft. Myers, Fl. in 1885. He had two prefabricated homes shipped down from New Hampshire (I think) and assembled. After his real estate partner moved out of one of the homes, he had them connected and lived in both houses. One house was used for cooking and dining (He hated the smell of food) and the other was used as a living quarters.

He planted a Banyan tree across the street of his 13? acre property next to his laboratory. The tree was a gift that was imported from India. The tree may well be over 100 years old. I think it's the second largest Banyan in the world. Not sure. It grows upside down. The roots rise from the ground and connect to the limbs.

These are pictures of the tree today and a photo of the home which is now open to the public for tours. The interior of the home was left with his original furniture and design before he died. Everything has been preserved since his death in 1931. I live about two miles from the estate and used to sneak in there when I was a kid. My brother was a grounds keeper there for 16 years. I always had free tours.

I didn't take the photos and apologize for the size. I'm not good at resizing.