Opulence on Gulf Shore Drive in Naples, Florida
History of Naples
Once, the only people to stroll Naples' seven miles of white, sandy beaches, were the Caloosa Indians. The first settlers, Roger Gordon and Joe Wiggins, arrived in Naples in the late 1860's. A river and two inlets still bear their names
Throughout the 1870's and '80's, magazine and newspaper stories telling of the area's mild climate and abundant fish and game likened it to the sunny Italian peninsula. The name Naples caught on when promoters described the bay as "surpassing the bay in Naples, Italy."
In 1887, a group of wealthy Kentuckians, led by Walter N. Haldeman, owner of the Louisville Courier-Journal, purchased virtually the entire town of Naples. One of the first improvements Haldeman and the Naples Company made was to build a pier 600 feet into the Gulf of Mexico. The unusual "T" shape allowed large ships to dock easily. Despite being destroyed and rebuilt three times, the pier's "T" shape remains.
Naples quickly gained a reputation as a winter resort. Social life revolved around the Naples Hotel, which played host to celebrities such as Rose Cleveland, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, Greta Garbo, Hedy Lamarr, and Gary Cooper. As the population of the town of Naples went up, so did the price of property. The cost of a beachfront lot soon reached $125.
In 1911, Barron Collier, who had made his fortune in streetcar advertising, visited nearby Useppa Island. He was so taken with the area that he bought over a million acres of untouched swampland - including most of Naples. Collier believed that Florida's west coast could enjoy the same boom that the east coast was experiencing in the 1920's; but first it was necessary to bring in road and railroads.
Based on Collier's promise to help build the Tamiami Trail, in 1923 the state legislature created Collier County, of which East Naples is the county seat. Collier spent more than $1 million of his own money to construct the Tamiami Trail, which opened in 1926 as the only paved highway linking the state's two largest cities at that time - Tampa and Miami.
Naples continues to thrive and, along with the rest of Southwest Florida, maintains its reputation as one of Florida's premiere vacation, retirement, and leisure destinations. The Naples area (Collier County) is currently home to over 250,000 residents year round.
Naples, Florida Geography
Naples is located at 26°9"N, 81°47'55"W on U.S. Highway 41 between Miami (to the east) and Fort Myers (to the north).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 37.3 km (14.4 mi). 31.2 km (12.0 mi) of it is land and 6.2 km (2.4 mi) of it (16.53%) is water.
Naples, Florida Tourist Guide
Naples is a destination for both US and foreign visitors. With it's sub-tropical climate and white sandy beaches it makes a perfect getaway location or winter resting place.
Naples is a popular, charming and sophisticated beach destination. It has many world-class hotels and resorts along miles of white sand beaches. The ocean is calm and the people are friendly. With its beautiful neighborhoods and grand architecture, the atmosphere is elegant, yet relaxing. Shoppers enjoy searching for antiques, clothes, home furnishings and jewelry. Sports enthusiasts spend glorious days pursuing their favorite activity, from golf, tennis, boating to fishing.
There are restaurants to suit every taste and budget.
Naples and surrounding area has excellent golf and tennis facilities. With over sixty golf courses in the county, many the work of top golf designers such as Tom Fazio and Jack Nicklaus. There is an excellent tennis location right in Cambier Park which attracts top players each year to events such as the Nuveen Masters Tournament.
You can enjoy wonderful lodging and dining, as well as world-famous shopping and sightseeing opportunities. With our miles of pristine Gulf beaches and gentle surf, Naples is a wonderful beach destination. Naples Pier is a great attraction and allowes it's visitors to fish for free.
Notable Resident
Naples plays home to Mangrove Monkey® and their world famous smilin' monkey - KoKo.
