Page 44 - April 2016 Life In Naples Magazine

by Lois Bolin Marking the character
Old Naples Historian
OF HISTORY

S ince 2004 I have interviewed and
met with many Oldtimers who
know Naples history as well as
those characters with stories that are so
important to our community’s heritage.
Some of those founding characters were
dubbed The Kentucky Syndicate, a group
of investors who built Naples in a relatively
small area from 1887- 1932 for seasonal
use, which is now called the Historic
District in Old Naples.

Last month while conducting private
tours of the Historic District for the Ritz
Carlton, their guests were stunned to learn
that Naples may be the only City in the
country that has no ordinances to support
its historic district. Are you?

In 2007, I accepted the challenge to “save to the Gulf of Mexico to Third Street South. This precious area has more stories that Carter
history”- to raise awareness - to stir the pot has little liver pills yet so few people really know them.
as it where, that conjured up the noxious
aroma of cultural amnesia. A relatively The following factoids about the Historic District are components that were submitted in its
new hire in the City Planning office application to gain its designation:
brought home this point when I reminded
him of how fast old cottages were being • Architecturally significant to the area because of its native material such as oyster tabby
torn down and that Fifth Ave. South no oolitic limestone were used in “bungalows” and other home styles with northern stylistic
longer held its “Main Street” designation origins called Colonial Revival, Mediterranean Revival or Framed Vernacular.
from the state because it did not take care
of certain requirements so the Historic • Designated a Post Office in August 1888 at the end of the Pier (closest to land).
District could find itself de-listed if the • Developed first was the Old Naples Hotel, 200 yards from the beach.
City was not careful. He replied, “If the • Paved streets of oyster shells were lined with Royal Palms transplanted from The
Historic District is ever de-listed – all
we’ll have to do is take down the signs.” Everglades.
My gasp brought this young Planner off • Isolated geographically until the railroads and Tamiami Trail came in the late 1920s.
his high horse. • Reflecting Florida’s Resort Heritage, the structures are restrained paralleling the

HISTORIC Kentuckian and Ohioan’s taste.
DISTRICT FACTOIDS • Recorded in 1775 by Bernard Roman, there is (was) a prime archaeological site, a canal,

The Historic District ranges roughly from which ran northwest through the center of the district. To see the relationship between the
9th Avenue South to 13th Avenue South City and its Historic district go to g.naplesgov.com/napleshistoricdistrict/.
In 2004, Mike Peppe and Lois Bolin’s research received approval for the distinguished
Florida Heritage Landmark for the Naples Canal from the Department of State
Historical Resources Division. The marker is located in Crayton Cove near Bleu Provence.

44 Life in Naples | April 2016