The history of Southwest Florida is tied to the history of the Everglades.  More than three centuries ago the Calusa Indians built a large shell mound on Chokoloskee Island.  Just after the Civil War two families settled along the Allen River.  The families of John Weeks and William Smith Allen are believed to be the first permanent residents.  They were farmers trying to eke a living on the naturally high ground along the banks of the river.  Always a remote and demanding area, they fought Indians, mosquitos, snakes alligators and heat on only 10% of the territory known as Everglades City.  Barron G. Collier dredged making Everglades City his headquarters for his Tamiami Trail road-building company in 1923.  The town became a shipping depot for produce when Collier built a railroad, it’s first transportation link, 14 miles from Deep Lake to the north, down to the Allen River.  Collier acquired 90% of the land in southern Lee County, including what is now Collier County between 1921 and 1923.  The lifeline for the Everglades, the Tamiami Trail was built with a promise of money from Collier to the State Legislature of Florida.  He invested a million dollars of his own money into the project.  Tamiami Trail crossed the state through the swamp and linked Tampa with Miami.  Before Collier could build the town, a high and dry base had to be built for it.  Muck from the Allen River was pulled by dredge from 1926 to 1929.  It was then piled up to make a town.  Lake Placid was created by dredging to the east.  Six hundred sixty six acres was created from less than 100 acres of usable land.  Everglades City was made an island with the river on the west, a canal and lake on the east and north of Chokoloskee Bay to the south.

By 1929 there was a trolley, hospital and clinic, movie house, library, railroad depot, common garage for autos, two hotels and of course a jail.  Many construction jobs were lost with the completion of the Tamiami Trail in 1928.  However, commercial fishing grew during the 20s and 30s.  By 1953, Everglades City had grown large enough to take over it’s own municipal operations.  The city bought the water, electric, street, fire, and other public services from the Collier company.  Soon after the Collier company’s headquarters were moved to Naples.  The Everglades became less of a construction-related community and more of a commercial fishing destination.  Sponge fishing flourished in the 1940s, while shrimping in the 1950s, and stone crabbing in the 1960s.

Life in the Everglades is more typical of a “walk back in time.” Reminiscent of Florida’s early development, the quaint communities have deliberately chosen to take a slower approach to life and live close to nature.  The Everglades includes areas of Carnestown, Chockoloskee, Copeland, Everglades City, Lee Cypress, Monroe Station, Flamingo Park, Ochopee, Plantation Island, Port of the Islands and Seaboard Village.  Visitors will find much to do.  The annual Seafood Festival, daily backwater and deepwater boat tours and deep water fishing excursions are a few of the many amenities found.  There is no blue like the deep blue of the Gulf, as you sun peacefully or pull in that “big one.” Seafood restaurants and accommodations are available for any taste, budget or preference.  Everglades represents the “olde” Floridawithout the capital “o.”  Visit the Everglades on the South Coast of Florida for a truly enjoyable “Florida” experience.