Lee County Islands (Images of America (Arcadia Publishing))

When Ponce de Leon visited Southwest Florida in 1513, he discovered some of North America’s most pristine tropical islands. Yet it was here where the explorer met his death at the hands of Calusa Indians who had made their home on the islands since 500 bc. Remaining relatively isolated from mainland society until the mid-1900s, the islands were home to a few hardscrabble pioneers who endured stifling heat, swarming mosquitoes, and deadly storms. Famous anglers such as Thomas Edison, Zane Grey, and Teddy Roosevelt enjoyed stalking the elusive tarpon in this sports fishing paradise. Likewise, the pervasive solitude inspired writers, including Edna St. Vincent Millay, Mary Roberts Rinehart, and Richard Powell. Home to some of the world’s best beaches, it is not surprising visitors and residents find the lifestyles and histories of Lee County’s quaint islands worth preserving.