Page 12 - Life In Naples Magazine December 2014 Edition
P. 12
STATE CITY
OF
THE
THE NAPLES PIER
MAYOR JOHN SOREY
NAPLES PIER 1911
T he Naples Pier has had many transformations since it was built in 1889, some because of choice and others because
of chance.
The hurricane of 1910 almost destroyed the pier. It was rebuilt 100 feet longer, with two wings forming a “V,”
reopening in 1911. The hurricane of 1926 and Labor Day hurricane of 1935 damaged the Naples Pier; but, it was
the hurricane of 1944 which caused the pier to be completely rebuilt to sturdier standards. It became a recreation pier with
dancing, fishing, and sunset-viewing as paramount activities.
NAPLES PIER 1958 1961 REBUILD AFTER HURRICANE DONNA
It was Hurricane Donna that most remember which rolled over Naples in 1960, causing the pier to collapse. Philanthropists
Mr. and Mrs. Lester Norris paid some $130,000 to rebuild the pier rather than add the cost to the tax rolls. Ten months later,
the pier was back.
In 1970 an agreement was crafted between the Norris’ and the Naples City Council to replace the pilings, this
agreement stated that residents would never be charged a fee to go on to the pier. The Norris family felt this was for the
good of the community.
12 Life in Naples | December 2014
OF
THE
THE NAPLES PIER
MAYOR JOHN SOREY
NAPLES PIER 1911
T he Naples Pier has had many transformations since it was built in 1889, some because of choice and others because
of chance.
The hurricane of 1910 almost destroyed the pier. It was rebuilt 100 feet longer, with two wings forming a “V,”
reopening in 1911. The hurricane of 1926 and Labor Day hurricane of 1935 damaged the Naples Pier; but, it was
the hurricane of 1944 which caused the pier to be completely rebuilt to sturdier standards. It became a recreation pier with
dancing, fishing, and sunset-viewing as paramount activities.
NAPLES PIER 1958 1961 REBUILD AFTER HURRICANE DONNA
It was Hurricane Donna that most remember which rolled over Naples in 1960, causing the pier to collapse. Philanthropists
Mr. and Mrs. Lester Norris paid some $130,000 to rebuild the pier rather than add the cost to the tax rolls. Ten months later,
the pier was back.
In 1970 an agreement was crafted between the Norris’ and the Naples City Council to replace the pilings, this
agreement stated that residents would never be charged a fee to go on to the pier. The Norris family felt this was for the
good of the community.
12 Life in Naples | December 2014
