#the shell factory

The Shell Factory, Inc., Fort Myers, Florida (image via SwellMap)

A 1960s view of the Shell Factory sign at Fort Myers, Florida. The postcard’s description on the back:

Florida's newest landmark, this 52 foot spectacular, directs thousands of visitors to The Shell Factory. Located on U.S. 41, this famous attraction features sea shells and corals from all corners of the world.

The Shell Factory dates back to the early 1950s. It was almost defunct when it was acquired by new owners in 1997. Since then the Shell Factory has been enlarged and had many attractions added. It is now the Shell Factory and Nature Park. An article from the Ft. Myers & Southwest Florida Magazine describes how it is now A Lot More Than Just Shells. The Shell Factory sign still appears to be basically the same.

So today, we were driving from Naples, FL to Orlando and stopped around Fort Myers to visit a true piece of American kitsch: The Shell Factory!

Oh my god...it defies description. It just...here, look at the map and you’ll get an idea:

It just goes on, one room into another— there’s a fossil/rock “museum”, a military “museum”, an arcade, a dinosaur “exhibit”. It’s like wandering through the TARDIS before the Doctor’s done a proper cleaning!