The first school in Estero is nestled just beside one of the oldest homes in the Village off Corkscrew Road.
That house is called the Hall-Hanson-Collier home, which the Historical Society operates out of. Both of these buildings used to be at a different site, on Highlands Avenue, a few short miles away.
One home was left behind there. It’s where the Historic Alvarez/ Smith home sits, abandoned. Once all of these structures were neighbors, housing a 1900’s Estero family of fisherman and fruit farmers.
Gail Langner is the Board President of the Historical Society.
“There’s a history here,” she said.
People in the community sought the Alvarez/Smith home out as a gathering place. She says many in Estero feel it’s worth saving because it has been in the area for more than a century.
The Village of Estero’s councilors agreed. They purchased the land and the Alvarez/Smith home in 2018 for a little more than $24 million. Over the last 6 years, the Village has decided to develop the land.