08/12/2025
Fort Myers is rich in history and a great place to call home!
In 1914, Riverside Drive, the cattle trail that divided Edison’s Fort Myers property, was paved and renamed McGregor Blvd. This significant cattle trail ran from North Florida to Punta Rassa, where the foot of the Sanibel Bridge is located today. Edison traveled to the area with his best friend and business partner, Ezra Gilliland, and purchased property along the Caloosahatchee River. The men drafted a plan to build homes for each of their families that were completed in 1886. In 1892, Gilliland’s home was sold to Ambrose McGregor, the former President and CEO of Standard Oil, and his wife Tootie. When Ambrose passed away, Tootie sought ways to honor her late husband. She went to the city with a proposal, stating that if they agreed to pave Riverside Drive (an old dirt cattle trail) from Whiskey Creek to downtown Fort Myers, she would pay to have the portion from Whiskey Creek to Punta Rassa paved. She agreed to use any materials the City and the County chose, putting in all the necessary bridges and culverts along the way. Her only requirement was that this road be named McGregor Boulevard in memory of Ambrose McGregor.
