In the early 1700s, Caloosa Indians strolled the seven miles of white, sandy beaches.  A river and two inlets still bear the names of the first settlers, Roger Gordon and Joe Wiggins, who arrived in 1860.  Then in the mid 19th century, the Seminole Indians found  in the region an abundance of wildlife, fish, and game.  

Southwest Florida is rich in human and natural history.  Likened to the sunny Italian peninsula, the name Naples caught on when promoters described the bay as “surpassing the bay in Naples, Italy.”

In the year 1885, the historic Palm Cottage is built.  Guided tours are offered in season. Palm Cottage is reputedly Naples’ oldest house.  In 1887, a group of wealthy Kentuckians, led by Walter N. Haldeman, owner of the Louisville Courier-Journal bought most of the town of Naples.  Near the Palm Cottage one of the first improvements was a 600 foot pier that jutted into the Gulf of Mexico.  The large “T” shape allowed large ships to dock easily.  Destroyed and rebuilt three times, the pier’s “T” shape remains today.  Other historic buildings include the Naples Commissary Building in Olde Naples, dating back to 1903, and the now renovated Naples Depot (1927), once the Naples train station displays a caboose and other railroad memorabilia.  The Collier County Museum houses a permanent collection from Prehistoric times through to the present day.  You will learn about the early Indian settlements here and you may wish to visit an Indian Village in the area, where genuine Indian, hand-crafted artifacts are sold.

With a fast growing reputation as a winter resort, Naples was host to such celebrities as Rose Cleveland, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, Greta Garbo, Hedy Lamarr, and Gary Cooper.  Social life revolved around the Naples Hotel.  As the town of Naples grew, so did the property.  A beachfront lot soon went to $125.00.

Baron G. Collier visited in nearby Useppa Island 1911.  Collier made his fortune in streetcar advertising.  He was so taken with it that he bought over a million acres of untouched swampland-including most of Naples. Collier believed that if roads and railroads could be brought in, that Florida’s west coast would enjoy the same boom that the East coast was enjoying in the 1920s.

Collier promised the state legislature he would help build the Tamiami Trail.  He spent more than $1 million of his own money for construction of the Tamiami Trail which opened in 1926.  It was the only paved highway linking the states two largest cities,-Tampa and Miami.  Collier died before his dream came true-but come true it did.  The first County Government was located in Everglades City.  The state moved it to Naples in 1966.  The arrival of the railroad and roads hewn through swampland set Naples on the path to becoming today one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S.   A dredge used to build the Trail can be seen at the Collier Seminole State Park, located 17 miles southeast of Naples.

Nature lovers will have a field day in the Everglades or in any of the many parks or wildlife preserves.  Known as the “River of Grass,” the Everglades is the only ecosystem of its kind in the world.  Raccoons, black bear, panthers, bobcats, marsh rabbits and the Florida State reptile, the American alligator thrive here.  You will see over 300 varieties of birds and butterflies, and 45 indigenous species of plants and trees.  Be sure to visit the 10,000 Islands where you will be charmed by the gentle dolphins, manatees and 600 other species of fish.

Enjoy hiking and canoeing as you visit the Everglades National Park.  Outside the park’s boundaries, you can go airboating in the wetlands and marshes.  Be sure to ride the swamp buggy in the cypress swamps.  Guided tours are also offered in these unusual Floridian contraptions.  Check out Everglades Island Air Boat Tours or Captain Doug’s Everglade Tours.

The Conservancy Nature Center in Naples provides a science museum, lectures, and an animal clinic for injured native wildlife.  Free guided nature trails though a subtropical hammock and 45 minute boat tours through the mangroves are offered.  You may prefer to paddle your own canoe or kayak or rent one.

Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, toured by a quarter million guests of all generations, is a popular place for the kids.  Hear roaring lions, singing siamangs, and laughing hyenas in southwest Florida’s only nationally accredited zoo.  Cruise on a guided boat tour and see the island of monkeys as they swing and play.  Rent a wagon and pull the kids through the park, stopping to see the exciting wildlife shows, chat with the keepers, picnic in the shade of giant trees or enjoy the Florida sunshine in this historic garden. The Naples Zoo was voted “Best Place for Kids” by regional publications.