Hall of Fifty States

Hall of Fifty States

2254 Edwards Dr. Ft Myers FL 33901

Pleasure Pier ComplexWas erected in 1927, just west of the Caloosahatchee River Bridge Site, Young and old came to the Pier for dancing, political rallies, and shows. The Moorish- style structure was completed at city expense ($48,000).

Pleasure Pier ComplexThe pier pilings were deemed unsafe in 1943 so the building was barged upriver in two sections and placed in Historic Fort Myers River District. Since then it was used as a headquarters for the USO, Civic Center, Tourist Center and Chamber of Commerce.

Hall of Fifty States2254 Edwards Drive in the Historic Fort Myers River District"We will probably have the very best spot in the state for our dance because the Hall of Fifty States is perfect for it. It has wooden floors, is very old, transports you back in time, and you can look across to the river and yacht basin. It's perfect."

Estimated Costs renovation - Previous renovation estimates for the 80-year-old building have ranged from $200,000 to $1.5 million, said Lee Trust President Gina Sabiston. City staff has said the council has two years to explore renovation options. After that, the building may not be salvageable.

The Plaque Reads - Remodeled summer - fall 1981Grand opening December 20, 1981Building was originally part of the Pleasure Pier Complex erected in 1927 just west of the Caloosahatchee River Bridge site. The pier pilings were deemed unsafe in 1943 so the building was barged upriver in two sections and placed here. Since then it has served as headquarters for the USO, Civic Center, Tourist Center and Chamber of Commerce.

Previous - Fifty flags from the states hang in the Ball Room. The City of Fort Myers recreation dept. utilizes the building for classes. Community events are held each year and the hall can be rented for weddings, banquets and meetings.

Update - I emailed Jared Beck, Principal Planner Historic Preservation and he responded with,” We are in a very exciting period and are looking forward to moving ahead with the restoration/relocation/rehabilitation of this building. The Lee Trust for Historic Preservation had an executive board meeting last night and is stepping up to take the lead as our community supporter and we at the City will be establishing a special committee for this. I work closely with the Trust and we’ve already begun developing possible scenarios, etc .”

Works Cited

• Press article on Contra Dancing. (2003, October 3). Retrieved November 7, 2009, from Fort-Myers(FL) News-press: http://www.contradancelinks.com

• Relocated Structures on Waymark. Retrieved November 5, 2009, from Hall of Fifty States - Fort Myers, FL: http://www.waymarking.com

• The Hall of 50 States Building Target of a Wrecking ball. (2009, November 1). Retrieved November 5, 2009, from NBC - 2 News Online: http://www.nbc

• Turner, G. (2005). Fort Myers in Vintage Postcards. Charleston: Arcadia Publishing.