DEMOLISH OR MOVE? This pressing question echoes through the heart of Estero as the Historical Society rallies to fundraise and preserve the historic Alvarez/Smith home, a structure steeped in local heritage. Located adjacent to the Estero School House on Corkscrew Road, this house serves as a poignant reminder of the village’s rich history and its deep connection to the community.
This noteworthy house, the Hall-Hanson-Collier home, acts as the operational heart of the Historical Society. Originally, both it and the Estero School House were located on Highlands Avenue, a few miles away. The relocation of these buildings highlights a deep-seated commitment to preserving the village’s past, but with the Alvarez/Smith home left behind, a piece of history stands alone and at risk.
In the shadows of progress, the abandoned Alvarez/Smith home stands as a silent observer of time, reminiscent of the early 1900s, when a family of fishermen and fruit farmers once thrived nearby. Its abandonment stirs a nagging question in the minds of locals: what truly makes a home? Is it the physical structure, or the memories woven into its very walls?
Gail Langner, the Board President of the Historical Society, embodies the spirit of that inquiry. “There’s a history here,” she expresses, her words laced with nostalgia. This home, once a thriving hub for the community, embodies over a century of stories. The village council recognized its significance too, investing over $24 million in 2018 to bring the land—and the Alvarez/Smith home—under its care. However, time has ushered in development plans, leading to the home’s uncertain fate.
“The village approached us,” Langner recalls. “They said, ‘We have this little house… It’s the last historic home in Estero, and it could be in the way.” Now, as the clock ticks, this beloved structure yearns for a new place to call home—a space next to the Estero School House and the Historical Society would preserve its connection to the community it once served.
Determined, the Historical Society has launched a campaign to raise $400,000 to relocate and restore the Alvarez/Smith home. They envision a future where these historic structures stand together once again, echoing their past. “We’ve done this before,” Langner reassures, recalling the careful relocation of the Estero School House and Hall-Hanson-Collier Home from Highlands Avenue to Lee County Park.
With only $20,000 left to meet their fundraising goal, the community’s support has never been more vital. Every donation carries the weight of preserving a narrative that deserves to endure. It’s not merely about the bricks and mortar; it’s about holding onto memories, history, and the future.
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