The rise of Jim Crow in Fort Myers: Upcoming presentation reveals local history

FORT MYERS, FL — The Jim Crow era in Fort Myers, spanning from 1885 to 1930, will be the focus of a free public presentation next month. Hosted by the Southwest Florida Archaeological Society (SWFAS), the event features guest speaker Dr. Jonathan Harrison and will take place at the IMAG History & Science Center.

The presentation aims to pull back the curtain on a pivotal but often overlooked period of local history. While the area’s Black history traces back to 1867—when Nelson Tillis purchased 110 acres to raise his family near what is now the Henry Ford Estate on McGregor Boulevard—the turn of the century brought significant social shifts.

According to researchers, the arrival of the railroad in 1904 served as a catalyst for formal segregation in the city. Driven by pro-Confederate sentiments, Black residents were increasingly pressured to relocate to the Safety Hill neighborhood.

The era was marked by rising tensions, including a 1923 Ku Klux Klan parade through the streets of Fort Myers. By 1924, local media outlets like the Fort Myers Press openly advocated for white supremacy, a climate that ultimately led to the tragic lynching of two young Black boys.

Dr. Harrison, a visiting professor at Florida Gulf Coast University and an expert on the history of racism, will delve into these events and the broader Black experience in Fort Myers during his lecture.

Event Details:

• What: "The Rise of Jim Crow in Fort Myers 1885-1930"

• When: Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.

• Where: IMAG History & Science Center, 2000 Cranford Ave, Fort Myers

• Cost: Free and open to the public