Florida officially became the 27th state in 1845.  The town of Fort Myers grew into existence some 31 years later in 1876.  Florida became a U.S. territory in 1821 as settlers asked for protection from the native Seminole Indian tribe.  Fort Myers was the first base of operation set along the Caloosahatchee River during the Seminole Indian Wars. The name itself comes from Colonel Abraham Myers, the son-in-law of a commander in Fort Brooke Tampa.