A 124-Year-Old Home, a Founding Family, and the Mysterious Visitors Who May Have Never Left
Imagine sitting down for a romantic dinner at one of Downtown Fort Myers' most beloved restaurants.
The lights are dim, the atmosphere is elegant, and you're surrounded by the charm of historic Florida architecture.
But what if you weren't the only guest in the room?
What if someone who lived in the building more than a century ago was still there?
Welcome to The Veranda, a historic Fort Myers restaurant with a fascinating past and a reputation for something far more mysterious than its Southern cuisine.
And unlike some ghost stories, this one has actually been discussed by the restaurant's own longtime management!
A Restaurant Built Inside Two Historic Homes
Before The Veranda became one of Southwest Florida's most recognizable fine-dining destinations, the property was home to members of one of Fort Myers' earliest families.
In 1902, Manuel S. Gonzalez, a prominent local contractor and businessman, constructed a beautiful Victorian-style home near the corner of Second Street and Broadway.
His father, Captain Manuel A. Gonzalez, was among the earliest settlers who helped establish the Fort Myers community following the Civil War.
The Gonzalez family played an important role in the city's development, operating businesses and helping shape the community long before Fort Myers became the bustling destination we know today.
Another home was constructed nearby for a family member.
Over time, the two historic structures were connected, eventually becoming the restaurant we recognize today.
But here's where the story gets even more interesting.
The Unexpected Connection to the Pulitzer Family
Believe it or not, The Veranda's history also includes a connection to one of America's most famous publishing families!
During the 1970s, Herbert "Peter" Pulitzer, grandson of newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer and former husband of fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer, helped connect the historic homes.
The buildings went through several uses before businessman Paul Peden purchased the property in 1978.
He transformed the connected homes into The Veranda, creating the elegant restaurant that has become a Fort Myers dining tradition.
Today, visitors can still appreciate the historic architecture, intimate dining rooms, and beautiful courtyard.
But according to local legends, the building's earliest residents may not have entirely moved on.
The Mysterious Woman on the Staircase
One of the most frequently repeated ghost stories associated with The Veranda involves a mysterious woman believed by local storytellers to be connected to the Gonzalez family.
According to accounts shared by Fort Myers ghost-tour operators, employees have reportedly encountered a female apparition near the staircase connecting the historic buildings.
Some versions of the legend describe a woman appearing briefly before disappearing.
Other stories involve unexplained footsteps, unusual cold spots, and the unsettling feeling that someone is nearby when nobody can be seen.
Could it be a former resident still wandering the home she once knew?
Or are these simply stories inspired by the building's age and unusual layout?
Nobody has established a supernatural explanation, but the legend has become part of the restaurant's fascinating history.
The Wine Lists That Apparently Have a Mind of Their Own
And the staircase isn't the only place associated with unusual activity.
Another popular story claims that wine lists have mysteriously moved or fallen from tables without an obvious explanation.
The accounts have become part of the folklore shared by local ghost tours.
But perhaps the most interesting detail comes from an actual interview with someone who worked at the restaurant for decades.
In reporting originally published by The News-Press and later included in a USA TODAY Network feature about haunted Florida restaurants, longtime general manager Denny Genge discussed the restaurant's reputation.
He described what customers believed was a friendly presence, reportedly associated with the back of the restaurant near the main dining room.
Although Genge said he had never personally experienced the presence, he explained that numerous customers had shared similar stories over the years.
According to his account, the reports weren't isolated incidents.
They had continued for years.
Of course, customer experiences and ghost stories aren't proof of a haunting.
But they certainly make you wonder what people have been experiencing inside those century-old walls.
The Veranda Is Even Featured on Fort Myers Ghost Tours!
Here's something many Southwest Florida residents might not realize.
The Veranda is actually featured as a stop on a Downtown Fort Myers ghost tour!
Fort Myers Ghosts, operated by US Ghost Adventures, includes the historic restaurant among the locations featured in its walking tour.
Participants learn about the Gonzalez family, the property's history, and the ghost stories associated with its staircase and dining rooms.
Other stops on the tour include historic downtown landmarks such as the Old Lee County Courthouse and the First National Bank Building.
It's a fascinating way to discover a different side of the River District, especially around Halloween.
For information about the tours, visit:
https://usghostadventures.com/fort-myers-ghost-tour/
More Than a Ghost Story: A Piece of Fort Myers History
Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, there's something special about buildings like The Veranda.
These historic homes have witnessed more than a century of change.
They've seen Fort Myers grow from a small riverside settlement into one of Southwest Florida's most recognizable cities.
Generations of families have passed through their doors.
The buildings have survived changing ownership, renovations, and the transformation of Downtown Fort Myers.
And today, instead of serving as private residences, they welcome visitors from around the world.
Their continued existence offers a reminder of how much history can be preserved within the walls of a single property.
That's one of the things that makes Southwest Florida's historic architecture so fascinating.
Every old home has a story.
Some just happen to have a few ghost stories attached!
Would You Have Dinner at a Supposedly Haunted Restaurant?
The next time you're enjoying a romantic evening at The Veranda, take a moment to appreciate the historic surroundings.
Look at the staircase.
Imagine the families who once called the buildings home.
Think about all the conversations, celebrations, and memories those walls have witnessed since the early 1900s.
And if you happen to notice something unusual out of the corner of your eye...
Well, perhaps it's just another guest enjoying the atmosphere.
Or perhaps someone from Fort Myers' past has decided to join you for dinner.
After all, some guests apparently love The Veranda so much... they never want to leave.
Visit The Veranda
Address: 2122 Second Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: (239) 332-2065
Website: https://www.verandarestaurant.com/
Presented by Treeline Realty Corp
At Treeline Realty, we love exploring the history, architecture, hidden gems, and local legends that make Southwest Florida such a unique place to call home.
From century-old historic properties to the neighborhoods being built today, every corner of our community has a story worth discovering.
Disclaimer: Paranormal experiences described in this article are based on local legends, reported customer experiences, and ghost-tour accounts. They have not been independently verified. Historical details are drawn from published local historical reporting.