The Rotary Club of Fort Myers is the oldest and the largest Rotary Club in Southwest Florida. Founded in 1922 when the City of Fort Myers was beginning to boom, our Club has broadly contributed to the growth and well being of our community through the decades. Our Club members were some of the first boosters for the Tamiami Trail. Our Club completed the iconic palms along McGregor Boulevard. We also pushed for the completion of Interstate 75 through our region. Our Club also has chartered the establishment of many new Rotary Clubs in the region over the years. The Rotary motto, “Service Above Self,” has been the inspiration for countless fundraisers, service projects, grants, scholarships, and other causes that have touched lives on a small and large scale. Over the years, the various efforts of the men and women of our Club have raised millions of dollars and made our community, and our world, a better place.
Club History
Founding and Roaring Twenties
When the Rotary Club of Fort Myers was founded in 1922, the community was on the verge of change. For many years a frontier cow town, Fort Myers had grown to a population of about 2,000. The City had incorporated several years earlier in 1911. World War I had just ended in 1918. View more
Weekly meetings established
The meeting place of the early Club often rotated. The Franklin Arms hotel hosted the Club for many years. Lunch in the 1920s was 75 cents for Rotarians. View more
Our First President – Ora Chapin
A long line of distinguished women and men have served our Club as President, and our first was Ora E. Chapin, a local Banker and friend of Rotary International’s founder, Paul Harris. View more
The Great Depression, 1929-1941
During the Great Depression, service organizations across the nation faced difficulties. In the Rotary Club of Fort Myers, there were many resignations, but even in those difficult times, our Club tirelessly worked to support the community. View more
Supporting Boy Scouts
Our support of local Boy Scouts also continued through the 1930s. View more
Rotary Founder Paul Harris Visits Our Club
None other than Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International, visited our Club in 1937. View more
World War II, 1941-1945
On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Our country’s declaration of war on the Axis Powers awoke the slumbering economy. In Fort Myers, Buckingham Army Airfield and Page Army Airfield trained airmen and gunners, and the community busily supported the war effort. View More
Fort Myers Rotary Helps the War Effort
Club President Paul G. Franklin (1943-1944) pledged that the Club devote itself “to the one objective uppermost in everyone’s mind—helping to end this war and win a lasting peace.” View More
Latter Part of the 20th Century, 1945-2000
For many years, the Club held a “ladies night” social event where the wives of Rotarians participated with members in a festive dinner party. View More
Millionaire’s Carnival
In 1956 our Club hosted a Millionaire’s Carnival which featured food and games. View More
Royal Palms extended
Thomas Edison planted the first royal palms which extended a mile along McGregor Boulevard. The City maintained them. In 1923, our Club became involved and extended the palms by five miles. View More
Into the 21st Century, 2000-Present
The Rotary Cup Golf Tournament is one of the strongest traditions of the Rotary Club of Fort Myers. Our Club held its first golf tournament some 80 years ago and has raised countless thousands of dollars for those in need in our community. View More
Rotary Cup
The Rotary Cup Golf Tournament is one of the strongest traditions of the Rotary Club of Fort Myers. View More
Rotary Past Presidents
The Rotary Fort Myers club has a rich history of presidents. View all of the various talented leaders that have been elected president. View More