Long before there was a Times Square or a pier, the Calusa people were building shell mounds on the bay side of this island. The Mound House is the oldest standing structure on Fort Myers Beach, a 1921 home restored by the town and set on top of a mound that dates back around 2,000 years. It is a small site, but it packs in more island history than anywhere else here.
The highlight is the underground exhibit where a section of the mound has been cut away behind glass, so you can see the layers of shell and pottery for yourself. Upstairs, the house tells the story of the families who lived here, and outside a butterfly garden and a boardwalk through the mangroves lead down to a quiet strip of bay beach. Guided tours run several times a week and add a lot; the guides know their stuff.
There is also a kayak launch and rental on site, so it is easy to combine a visit with a paddle in Estero Bay. Go in the morning for the quietest experience and the coolest temperatures. It is only a few minutes from the house and makes a nice change from a beach day.
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