According to fashionissupreme, Alva, Florida is a small town located in Lee County, near Fort Myers. It has a population of approximately 1,000 people and is known for its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere. The town was founded in 1885 by Captain William Alva Smith, a Civil War veteran who settled the area with his family.
The town of Alva is situated on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River, offering beautiful views of the water and surrounding nature preserves. The area boasts an abundance of wildlife including alligators, birds, and other animals. The nearby Babcock Ranch Preserve provides visitors with hiking trails and opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitat.
The downtown area of Alva is dotted with small businesses such as restaurants and antique shops. Visitors can find unique gifts at local stores like the Alva General Store or browse through art galleries showcasing local artists’ work. The historic downtown district also hosts a farmers’ market on Saturdays which features fresh produce from local farms in addition to handmade crafts and other items.
Alva is perfect for those seeking outdoor activities such as fishing or kayaking on the river or exploring one of the many nature trails throughout the region. It is also home to several parks including Caloosahatchee Regional Park which offers camping sites as well as boat ramps for easy access to the river. Other nearby attractions include Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve which features boardwalks over wetland habitats and Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve which offers stunning views of mangrove forests and wildlife along its shores.
Residents of Alva enjoy an array of recreational activities such as golfing at one of the nearby courses or playing tennis at one of the public courts located throughout town. There are also numerous parks where families can enjoy picnics or children can play in playgrounds while parents relax on benches scattered throughout these areas. Neighbors gather often to celebrate holidays like Independence Day at one of two annual parades held in town each year – one on Main Street during summertime and another along Riverside Drive during Christmas season – complete with marching bands, floats, food vendors, and more!
Alva’s charm lies not only in its natural beauty but also in its sense of community spirit where neighbors are always willing to lend a helping hand when needed most – whether it be offering words of comfort after tragedy strikes or simply providing support when times are tough – making it an ideal place to call home if you’re looking for somewhere peaceful yet welcoming to live or visit.
History of Alva, Florida
Alva, Florida is a small community located in Lee County, on the west coast of the state. The town was founded in 1887 by Captain William Alva Smith, an early settler and entrepreneur who moved to the area from Georgia. In addition to being a farmer, Smith also owned a sawmill and operated a ferry across the Caloosahatchee River.
The town was originally known as Smithville but was later renamed Alva in honor of its founder. The first post office opened in 1887 and the first school was built in 1888. In 1895, Alva incorporated as a village and had grown to include several stores, churches, and other businesses by 1900.
The early 20th century saw Alva become an important agricultural center for citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits. In 1926, it became home to one of Florida’s first citrus packing houses when the United States Department of Agriculture established an experimental station there. The station helped develop new varieties of citrus fruits that could survive disease outbreaks like canker and greening. This made Alva an important part of Florida’s citrus industry during this time period.
Alva also became popular with tourists during this time period thanks to its proximity to Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island. A number of resorts were built along the Caloosahatchee River which attracted visitors from all over the United States looking for warm weather getaways.
In recent years, Alva has become more residential in nature as many people have moved away from nearby cities like Fort Myers looking for more rural living options. Today it is home to about 3,000 people and still retains its small-town charm with its historic buildings, quaint shops, restaurants, churches and other attractions that make it an ideal destination for those looking for some peace and quiet away from larger cities like Fort Myers or Naples.
Alva may be small but it still has much to offer visitors who come here looking for some peace and quiet or just want to experience life in a rural Florida community with plenty of history behind it. From its agricultural roots to its tourist heyday to its current residential character, Alva is sure to provide visitors with plenty of reasons why they should choose this charming little town as their next destination.
