For nearly sixty years, the Arches were the first thing visitors saw as they crossed onto Fort Myers Beach — a grand stone gateway framing the island on the way over the old drawbridge. They came down in 1979 to make way for the Matanzas Pass Bridge, but the community never forgot them.
On Saturday, Sept. 19 at 10:30 a.m., Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches will unveil a state historical marker at the original Arches location on San Carlos Island, just off Fisherman ’s Wharf. The nonprofit, led by Ray McDonald, has spent years working with Lee County and local donors on a tribute: a smaller commemorative arch at Bowditch Point Regional Park, built with original stone salvaged from the Arches, along with an engraved brick pathway and interpretive signage. Southern Shore Construction and David Nelson Masonry are handling the build, and the project is fully funded — with extra contributions set aside for a long-term maintenance trust. Construction is expected next year, pending county approvals.
It’s another sign that Fort Myers Beach is rebuilding with an eye on its history. Pieces of the island’s past are being woven back into its future, and that’s worth celebrating.
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