Updated January 13, 2021
Alva is a quiet town on the Calooshatchee River. It's about 11 miles east of I-75 on State Road 80 between Fort Myers and LaBelle. People who live in Alva say it is more than a place: it is a state of mind.
Take Exit 141 and head east on State Road 80 toward LaBelle. After about 11 miles you will come to a little crossroads called Alva. A convenience store on the north side of the highway is your landmark.
Date Event; 1847: Thomas Edison is born Thomas Edison was born in Ohio on February 11. His family later moved to Michigan. 1859: Thomas sets up one of his first chemistry labs As a boy, Thomas Edison worked with the Grand Trunk Railroad. He set up his very own chemistry lab on board the train. 1867: Thomas Edison begins his first of many. Creative business ideas like this allow you to sell the same digital product over and over again, without the need to interface or consult with clients. If you have the skillset, making the choice to sell digital downloads is a great business decision with high profit margins, and an excellent way to showcase your skill set.
Turn left at the flashing light and cross the bridge over the Caloosahatchee River. Turn right on Pearl Street, and you are in the heart of Alva Florida.
History of Alva, Florida
A lot of people assume the town got it's name for a famous nearby winter resident: Thomas Alva Edison. This is not the case, however.
A sea captain from Denmark named Peter Nelson came up with the name. He bought a large tract of land and laid out the original village in the late 1800's. He admired a small white flower that grew in the area.
It turned out our sea captain was also a botanist, and he recognized the flower as The Alva Flower, also known as sabatia brevifolia Rafinesque.
Captain Nelson named his little Florida town for the Alva Flower.
The first bridge across the Caloosahatchee was built at Alva in 1903. It became quite a busy little town, with a couple of hotels and several houses. Like many Florida towns of that era, it's life revolved around the river, small farms, and cultivation of citrus.
I first noticed Alva while crossing Florida on the Okeechobee Waterway.
A friend and I were moving my sailboat from Coconut Grove to Punta Gorda. The Okeechobee Waterway connects the east and west coasts of Florida.
The Caloosahatchee River is the western part of this connection.
An Alva Place That Used To Be
After a long day on the river, we passed under the Alva drawbridge toward the end of the afternoon. We spent the next couple of nights at Rialto Harbor, 2 miles west of the Alva Bridge.
It was more than a marina; it was an Old Florida experience.
The family who owned Rialto Harbor lived on the property. In addition to a few boat slips, they had an Old Florida style cottage for rent. The grounds were plush with many plants and animals including a horse.
They were friendly folks, and built a campfire each night for everybody to sit around and tell stories.
The guest cottage was beautiful and would be perfect for a couple or family who wants to spend a few days there in Old Florida.
Sadly, Rialto Harbor is no longer open for business, but the memories remain.
There is no shopping district in Alva, but it does have a nice little church and a museum. The museum sign says it is open on Saturday from 2-4 P.M. You have to admire a Florida town whose museum is open only one day a week.
There is a nice boat launching area and parking lot just east of the church. This is a very busy place on winter weekends. This entire stretch of the Caloosahatchee River could use a few more boat launching locations.
The homes in Alva are simple and modest with the exception of a few large new houses on the river. The biggest building in town is a nearby elementary school. There is a nice clean adult mobile home community at the end of Pearl Street.
The entire area around Alva enjoys large oak trees with lots of hanging moss. Alva doesn't quite fit in as one of the Florida ghost towns that are fun to visit. After all, people still live here.
But it certainly is quiet. I recommend Alva as a place to relax and watch the boats go by.
A good place to camp or visit while visiting Alva, try this park:
- Caloosahatchee Regional Park 18500 North River Road Alva, FL 33920 Phone: 239-694-0398
This wonderful park is on the river and has an extensive network of nature trails.
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Partner With Florida Back Roads Travel
Florida Back Roads Travel is a popular website that focuses on off the beaten path places, culture, and history.
Our Facebook page has more than 102,707 followers who love off the beaten path Florida: towns, tourist attractions, maps, lodging, food, festivals, scenic road trips, day trips, history, culture, nostalgia, and more.
Take a look. If you enjoy what you see, please give us a like.
Subscribe to our Free Ezine, Florida Heritage Travel
Mike Miller of FloridaBackroadsTravel.com has written 25 books on Florida.
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20200306-284-435-GI1.6/20210113-297-469-1.7
Dating in Alva
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Fife
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Singles on Urbansocial.com local to Alva are from the following areas - Alva, Central (Scotland)and counties and towns in the area
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Alva is a quiet town on the Calooshatchee River. It's about 11 miles east of I-75 on State Road 80 between Fort Myers and LaBelle. People who live in Alva say it is more than a place: it is a state of mind.
Take Exit 141 and head east on State Road 80 toward LaBelle. After about 11 miles you will come to a little crossroads called Alva. A convenience store on the north side of the highway is your landmark.
Date Event; 1847: Thomas Edison is born Thomas Edison was born in Ohio on February 11. His family later moved to Michigan. 1859: Thomas sets up one of his first chemistry labs As a boy, Thomas Edison worked with the Grand Trunk Railroad. He set up his very own chemistry lab on board the train. 1867: Thomas Edison begins his first of many. Creative business ideas like this allow you to sell the same digital product over and over again, without the need to interface or consult with clients. If you have the skillset, making the choice to sell digital downloads is a great business decision with high profit margins, and an excellent way to showcase your skill set.
Turn left at the flashing light and cross the bridge over the Caloosahatchee River. Turn right on Pearl Street, and you are in the heart of Alva Florida.
History of Alva, Florida
A lot of people assume the town got it's name for a famous nearby winter resident: Thomas Alva Edison. This is not the case, however.
A sea captain from Denmark named Peter Nelson came up with the name. He bought a large tract of land and laid out the original village in the late 1800's. He admired a small white flower that grew in the area.
It turned out our sea captain was also a botanist, and he recognized the flower as The Alva Flower, also known as sabatia brevifolia Rafinesque.
Captain Nelson named his little Florida town for the Alva Flower.
The first bridge across the Caloosahatchee was built at Alva in 1903. It became quite a busy little town, with a couple of hotels and several houses. Like many Florida towns of that era, it's life revolved around the river, small farms, and cultivation of citrus.
I first noticed Alva while crossing Florida on the Okeechobee Waterway.
A friend and I were moving my sailboat from Coconut Grove to Punta Gorda. The Okeechobee Waterway connects the east and west coasts of Florida.
The Caloosahatchee River is the western part of this connection.
An Alva Place That Used To Be
After a long day on the river, we passed under the Alva drawbridge toward the end of the afternoon. We spent the next couple of nights at Rialto Harbor, 2 miles west of the Alva Bridge.
It was more than a marina; it was an Old Florida experience.
The family who owned Rialto Harbor lived on the property. In addition to a few boat slips, they had an Old Florida style cottage for rent. The grounds were plush with many plants and animals including a horse.
They were friendly folks, and built a campfire each night for everybody to sit around and tell stories.
The guest cottage was beautiful and would be perfect for a couple or family who wants to spend a few days there in Old Florida.
Sadly, Rialto Harbor is no longer open for business, but the memories remain.
There is no shopping district in Alva, but it does have a nice little church and a museum. The museum sign says it is open on Saturday from 2-4 P.M. You have to admire a Florida town whose museum is open only one day a week.
There is a nice boat launching area and parking lot just east of the church. This is a very busy place on winter weekends. This entire stretch of the Caloosahatchee River could use a few more boat launching locations.
The homes in Alva are simple and modest with the exception of a few large new houses on the river. The biggest building in town is a nearby elementary school. There is a nice clean adult mobile home community at the end of Pearl Street.
The entire area around Alva enjoys large oak trees with lots of hanging moss. Alva doesn't quite fit in as one of the Florida ghost towns that are fun to visit. After all, people still live here.
But it certainly is quiet. I recommend Alva as a place to relax and watch the boats go by.
A good place to camp or visit while visiting Alva, try this park:
- Caloosahatchee Regional Park 18500 North River Road Alva, FL 33920 Phone: 239-694-0398
This wonderful park is on the river and has an extensive network of nature trails.
YOU MIGHT LIKE THESE
Moore Haven Florida Was Once Known As Little Chicago
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Babcock Ranch Eco Tours: Old Florida Near a New City
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Partner With Florida Back Roads Travel
Florida Back Roads Travel is a popular website that focuses on off the beaten path places, culture, and history.
Our Facebook page has more than 102,707 followers who love off the beaten path Florida: towns, tourist attractions, maps, lodging, food, festivals, scenic road trips, day trips, history, culture, nostalgia, and more.
Take a look. If you enjoy what you see, please give us a like.
Subscribe to our Free Ezine, Florida Heritage Travel
Mike Miller of FloridaBackroadsTravel.com has written 25 books on Florida.
Click on the cover display to see his Amazon author page.
20200306-284-435-GI1.6/20210113-297-469-1.7
Dating in Alva
- Borders
Central (Scotland)
Fife
Lothian
Strathclyde
Tayside
Local Dating
- Newbridge
Penicuik
Kirkliston
Dunblane
Menstrie
Tillicoultry
Bo'Ness
Killin
Roslin
Broxburn
Lochearnhead
South Queensferry
Rosewell
Kirknewton
Linlithgow
Loanhead
Dollar
Dunfermline
Lasswade
Gorebridge
Bonnyrigg
Doune
Grangemouth
Livingston
Edinburgh
Stirling
Callander
Dalkeith
Larbert
Falkirk
Looking for a date in Alva? Find local singles online. Start online dating today with UrbanSocial, and find local singles in Alva looking to meet that someone special.
Why Join Urbansocial Dating?
If you're single and finding dating in Alva not that easy, you're definitely not alone. That's why so many single men and women are using trusted online dating sites to help them find love. UrbanSocial has been helping singles in Alva and across the UK find a relationship since 2003.
There's no shortage of dating sites and apps to choose from these days. But UrbanSocial has over a decade of experience in making a success of online dating. helping genuine like-minded singles meet each other online. Our award winning dating blog also provides singles with help and dating advice on all aspects of single life and relationships. Sign up now and start your online dating journey with us.
Other Local Dating Types
> Mature Dating
> Adult Dating
Date Ideas In Albuquerque
Local Dating Events
> View All Dating EventsWho's online?
Men Online
- bobcat, 41
- john, 61
- Russell, 49
- Jonath..., 37
- Luca, 38
- wykeman, 42
- coastl..., 40
- joshylad, 31
- jonny88, 48
- robson, 41
- jonny, 46
- Sammy, 60
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- Feistyg..., 44
- kirstyk..., 35
- resibee, 55
- Marie, 38
- Mon82, 38
- Helen, 37
- jess, 36
- suliato..., 30
- sexy bi..., 57
- juliet, 54
- AnGeLiC, 54
- Sophia, 37
Dates in Alva - Local Members
Singles on Urbansocial.com local to Alva are from the following areas - Alva, Central (Scotland)and counties and towns in the area
Alva Singles
Date Single Men
Calto, 41 Near Alva, Alva, Central (Scotland)
dougie, 52 Near Alva, Alva, Central (Scotland)
marky72, 49 Near Alva, Alva, Central (Scotland)
madrat, 33 Near Alva, Alva, Central (Scotland)
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mikeyg77, 43 alva, Alva, Central (Scotland)
Bigmacinspai, 67 Alva, Central (Scotland)
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braveheart66, 53 Near Alva, Alva, Central (Scotland)
rubs, 46 Near Alva, Alva, Central (Scotland)
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Kim, 33 Near Alva, Alva, Central (Scotland)
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Sophia, 47 Near Alva, Alva, Central (Scotland)
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