An orange juice stand in the Patio DeLeon, circa early 1950s, once was the home of an alligator pit. PHOTO PROVIDED

Little known facts about early Fort Myers will highlight the annual Cracker Dinner Monday, Feb. 21, at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre at 1380 Colonial Blvd.

Did you know that Fort Myers once had a live alligator pit in the Patio DeLeon on First Street? Or – did you know that deals were made and political futures were planned at a downtown restaurant called the Snack House?

Long-time resident Bonnie Chappelle and her mother Genevieve Bowen researched some of the area’s oldest residents to obtain memoirs for the annual dinner, hosted by the Southwest Florida Historical Society.

Beverly Cox and Emmaline Beaumont will be the storytellers for the evening, which brings together pioneers of Lee County along with newcomers who are curious about the area’s past.

The presentation will be accompanied by music performed by Barbara Peterson at the piano with vocals by Roger Peterson, John Goulet, Beverly Cox and Emmaline Beaumont.

The Snack House menu, circa mid-1950s. PHOTO PROVIDED

Dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. and the program begins at 7. Tickets cost $35 and are available at the Broadway Palm. There also will be music, door prizes and a silent auction.

The annual Cracker Dinner is sponsored by George T. Mann General Contractor, Total Wine and Susan Bennett Marketing & Media, L.C.

Funds raised at the annual dinner will be used to support the mission of the Southwest Florida Historical Society which is dedicated to preserving the history of our area by archiving donated historical documents, photos and maps and stimulating public interest and appreciation for local history.

About the Southwest Florida Historical Society

The Southwest Florida Historical Society was established in 1960 by a group of citizens to “preserve the history of our area.” In 1983, the SWFLHS received as a gift a building that was destined to be demolished for a new parking lot. Harper Brothers Construction donated the building and Flint and Doyle was contracted to move the building to the campus of the Lee County Alliance of the Arts. In 1984 the SWFLHS received its Articles of Incorporation with the following purpose: “The mission of the society is to discover, collect and preserve original and source documents, maps and photographs pertaining to the history of SW Florida; to bring together those interested in the history of this area; to promote and stimulate public interest and appreciation of the history of this area; and to further the preservation and knowledge of Southwest Florida’s past.” For more, visit https://www. facebook.com/SWFLHS/ or call 239-939-4044.