A Step Back In Time: Hall Family Legacy by Heather McDermott

As the city of Naples observes its centennial anniversary, locally owned and operated Gulf Coast International Properties is pleased to share in the celebration. Todd Hall, GCIP real estate agent (Featured Photo) and proud Naples native, has a rich family legacy stretching back several generations to the beginning of our town’s history. Todd’s family were among the early pioneers of Naples, making significant and lasting impacts on the foundation of our city.

Naples Pier

Todd’s mother, Peggy Pittman, spent summers in Naples in the 1950s. In 1964, Peggy moved to Naples and lived with her great aunt and uncle, the Smiths, and accepted a teaching job at the newly opened Seagate Elementary School. Her aunt, Geraldine Smith, was an extremely active citizen, serving on the Everglades City school board and was instrumental in assisting with the founding of the 15 bed Naples Community Hospital.

Peggy’s great uncle, Walter Roy Smith, or W. Roy Smith as he was known, was the Mayor of Naples from 1946 to 1960, a time when development and the establishment of the town as we know it was truly beginning. Born in Alabama in 1909, W. Roy Smith lived in Wauchula, Florida where he worked for Standard Oil Company and in the farming industry until 1914. After a business trip with Standard Oil brought him to visit Naples, he immediately fell in love with the pier and the community and decided to move the family down to Naples in 1936. Fifth Avenue South was just beginning to establish itself as the commercial hub of Naples, and W. Roy opened Naples Grocery in 1936, followed by Smith Furniture Company in 1948. It was during this time that he became Mayor, serving an astounding seven consecutive 2 year terms in the role.

Based on an idea proposed by W. Roy, in 1947 Town Council adopted The Naples Plan, an effort to improve the town funded entirely by the community through tax deductible donations. Over two decades, the tax exempt organization bestowed on the town several philanthropic capital projects, creating many of Naples most loved community parks and initiatives, leading to the foundation of modern day Naples. Just a few of these endeavors include the creation of Cambier Park on land donated by Henry B. Watkins, Sr.; new pilings to stabilize the beach and control erosion; and creation of the Mosquito Control District program.

W. Roy Smith’s Naples Plan coincided with a tremendously busy town development period with the establishment of Port Royal, The Caribbean Gardens, River Park, Coquina Sands, The Moorings, 3rd Street South, Lake Park Elementary School, and much more.

The Start of Royal Harbor, Royal Bay Villas & Oyster Bay on East Trail on Naples Bay, 1959.

GCIP agent Todd’s deep Naples legacy extends to his father’s side of the family as well, highlighted by his devoted service to the youth of Collier County. Todd’s father, James Earl Hall (“Earl”), moved with his family to Naples in 1954 from the panhandle town of Chipley. Earl excelled in gymnastics, graduating from Naples High School in 1958, and went on to attend the University of Southern Mississippi on a gymnastics scholarship. While coaching a women’s high school gymnastics team in Fort Myers, Earl was invited to teach at Seagate Elementary School where he met his future wife, Peggy. Earl’s skill as a gymnastic coach was renowned throughout the region.

Earl later went on to receive his master’s degree in Education Administration at Florida Atlantic University and spent his career as Principal at many Collier County schools, serving the youth of our county for many years. In addition, Earl spent 30 years in the Army National Guard.

Retired for 27 years, Peggy and Earl fondly remember the Naples of times past. Peggy states, “Someone recently commented to me that I’ve been here in Naples a long time, and asked if I wished it would go back to the way it was. I said, ‘I love it here now and the only way I would go back in time is if the people I loved from those times were still here.’ Naples is a wonderful place, and we are so lucky to live here.”

Naples waterfront real estate expert Todd has seen the landscape evolve and provides an immense amount of homegrown insight into the local market. To speak with Todd directly, please call 239.289.3618 or email todd@gcipnaples.com.