F4- Thomas A. Edison memorial bridge, Ft. Myers, Fla. Thomas A. Edison called Ft. Myers his adopted home from 1885 when he first came here, until 1931, the year of his death. On the grounds of his estate, where he maintainted his laboratory, he planted elaborate botanical gardens containing rare tropical plants. It was Edison who brought the first Royal Palms to Ft. Myers, the City of Palms