Also like most of Florida, growth stopped in the thirties during the depression. The Beach recovered from the hardships of the depression and World War II and experienced a resurgence in home building and settlement in the 1950's. Mullet was the main crop, but grouper, trout, and red fish were also popular catches. Shrimping though was king, and today many shrimp boats still call Fort Myers Beach home. Game or prize fishing is also a modern favorite of tourists.
Tourism is now the reigning money industry.
Prior to incorporation in 1995, six attempts were made to incorporate the two Lee County islands. The first two attempts narrowly failed in the 1940's. Other attempts were made in the 1950's through the 1980's, but received little support. It is interesting that the town of Fort Myers Beach only comprises the big island of Estero. The smaller Island, San Carlos, is not within the new town limits.