Long before Ian, three historic hurricanes in the 1800s shaped where and how Fort Myers developed.

From the author of Epic Fires of Fort Myers and co-author of Female Pioneers of Fort Myers comes an important new book that examines three of Fort Myers early hurricanes. But Historic Hurricanes of Fort Myers does not just open a window into how the men and women who pioneered the town in the decades following the end of the Civil War weathered tropical cyclones. It explains where and why Fort Myers and surrounding areas are vulnerable to storm surge, wind damage and inland flooding during tropical storms and hurricanes. While the historian at heart will love this glimpse into the town’s settlement by cattlemen like Jacob Summerlin and Captain F.A. Hendry during its first decade and a half of existence, everyone who lives or works in and around Fort Myers needs this neighborhood-specific guide to preparing for, surviving during and evacuating from tropical systems. It’s just a shame that the book was still being readied for publication when Hurricane Ian formed and struck Southwest Florida on September 28, 2022.

Thomas P. Hall is an art journalist, arts advocate and local historian. He has authored three books, Epic Fires of Fort Myers: How a Series of Early Fires Influenced the Town’s Development, Volumes I & II, and Female Pioneers of Fort Myers: Women Who Influenced the Town’s Development, which he co-authored with Florida author Robin Tuthill, along with a Guidebook for the Buck’s Backyard Mural at McCollum Hall in the Dunbar Community of Fort Myers. As the City of Fort Myers Public Art Consultant, Tom advises the City regarding the administration, expansion and promotion of its art collection, and is responsible for placing narrative and audio recordings on a free phone app known as Otocast which inform users of the stories the City’s public artworks tell about Fort Myers’ early history and cultural heritage. As the voice of WGCU’s Spotlight on the Arts, Tom’s weekly segment for the local NPR affiliate (90.1 FM) highlights plays, musicals, art exhibitions and cultural events taking place in Southwest Florida from Marco Island to Sarasota.