When the first settlers, Roger Gordon and Joe Wiggins arrived in the late 1860’s, Naples was barely on the map and not yet known as “Naples”. Stories in the periodicals of the time compared the beauty and environment to that of Naples, Italy. The name caught on and news quickly spread of Naples, Florida, while Gordon and Wiggins have been immortalized as a river and two inlets still posses their names.

Throughout the rest of the country, Naples was primarily known as a winter retreat. The affluent were able to escape the cold and harsh winters in many other parts of the country and enjoy the mild climate of Florida. With most of the social scene centered around the historic Naples Hotel, socialites and celebrities became many of the first to vacation and enjoy the beauty and refined elegance of the area. Influential figures of the time, including Thomas Edison, Greta Garbo, Hedy Lamarr and Gary Cooper set the stage for what Naples would eventually become. At the time, however, Naples was still very much underdeveloped and only accessible to a small group of wealthy people. However, with the development of the east coast of Florida, it was just a matter of time before the west coast would catch-up. There needed, however, to be a visionary with the means and ability to revolutionize the area. That visionary was Barron G. Collier and the year was 1911. Collier would enter the picture and forever change the history of the west coast of Florida.

Finding himself so enamored with Southwest Florida, Collier purchased over one million acres of undeveloped and untouched swampland including the area to become Naples. He had the foresight to know that the area would grow leaps and bounds if infrastructure such as roads and railways were built allowing access for both people and products. Collier’s vision was the construction of the first paved road to connect Florida’s two major cities of the time, Tampa and Miami. Opened in 1926 and still known today as the Tamiami Trail (US 41), the road passes directly through Naples allowing for access to both cities. With the addition of this road, Naples began to flourish and prosper into the city that it is today.

Prior to the addition of the Tamiami Trial, all of Naples was only what today is known as “Olde Naples”. The Fifth Avenue area, which is now filled with high-ends shops and art galleries, was the main street of the time. But coupled with the demand for the area and the Tamiami Trail, developers moved into the area and Naples began pushing north. Over time, more and more communities were built and developed.

Communities such as Pelican Bay offered both year round and seasonal residents every amenity possible. From swimming and golfing to shopping everything is provided at ones fingertips. As the people moved in, so did the businesses. Naples held on to its affluent status and the demand for quality and sophistication in all aspects of life was needed.

The Village on Venetian Bay was built and proved to be a truly unique shopping experience. Instead of finding the same stores that are so frequently duplicated in most shopping centers, The Village has assembled a collection of over Fifty shops, galleries, and restaurants that are truly unique and different all located right on the waterfront. The Village also offers valet parking, which is sure to make your day of luxury shopping that much more enjoyable.

Resorts, such as the world-renowned Ritz Carlton is always ranked at the top of many “Best of” lists in travel and leisure publications and reports. Others soon followed, including the Hyatt Regency, but Naples still has a variety of historic hotels including the Inn on Fifth, located in the center of Fifth Avenue in the heart of Olde Naples.

With the formation of the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, it was just a short amount of time before the planning of the Philharmonic Center for the Arts was underway. Located within Pelican Bay, The Philharmonic Center for the Arts was to be much more than just a home for the Orchestra. It would incorporate all art forms, both visual and performing. With the addition in later years of the Naples Museum of Art, the complex is unlike any other in the United States making it a cultural center for more than just the residents of Naples.

With so many sites and locations to visit and explore, the Naples Trolley was formed in 1988 to make site seeing for both tourists and residents alike a day of fun and information. With daily narrated tours of over one hundred points of interest in the area, this hop-on, hop-off trolley allows passengers to stop and shop, dine or just explore the area. In addition to a variety of beaches and resorts, the Waterside Shops, Fifth Avenue and Tin City are just a few of the stops on this informative and fun excursion. A stop not to be missed is the Naples Pier. Located in at the end of 12th Avenue, this historic pier is a favorite location of fishermen. The Naples Pier features a concession stand and bait shop, and fishing from the pier does not require a fishing license, as the City of Naples has purchased a bulk fishing license for the pier. The beach at the pier also features volleyball nets, and is one of the best places to catch a spectacular Naples sunset.