Rotary Club of Fort Myers

Southwest Florida's oldest and largest Rotary Club

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      • Our Founding and the Roaring Twenties, 1922-1929
      • The Great Depression, 1929-1941
      • World War II, 1941-1945
      • Latter Part of the 20th Century, 1945-2000
      • Into the 21st Century, 2000-Present
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Club History

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

1920

Founding and Roaring Twenties

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

1922

Weekly meetings established

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

1923

Our First President – Ora Chapin

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

1929

The Great Depression, 1929-1941

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

1930

Supporting Boy Scouts

Supporting Boy Scouts

Our support of local Boy Scouts also continued through the 1930s. View more

1937

Rotary Founder Paul Harris Visits Our Club

Rotary Founder Paul Harris Visits Our Club

None other than Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International, visited our Club in 1937. View more

1941

World War II, 1941-1945

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

1943

Fort Myers Rotary Helps the War Effort

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

1945

Latter Part of the 20th Century, 1945-2000

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

1956

Millionaire’s Carnival

Millionaire’s Carnival

In 1956 our Club hosted a Millionaire’s Carnival which featured food and games. View More

1996

Royal Palms extended

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

2000

Into the 21st Century, 2000-Present

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

2000

Rotary Cup

Rotary Cup

The Rotary Cup Golf Tournament is one of the strongest traditions of the Rotary Club of Fort Myers. View More

2017

Rotary Past Presidents

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

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2101 McGregor Blvd., Suite 102
Fort Myers, FL 33901
(239) 332 - 8158 | office@rotary-fortmyers.org
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