Page 82 - LIN.FEBWEBSITE

FROM THE HOLY SEE TO THE
EVERGLADES:

THE LEGACY OF LOVE CONTINUES
by Lois Bolin
Old Naples Historian
W hether you are a Naples seasonal or permanent resident or much-publicized death served as inspiration for future legislation

resort guest, this once upon a time “little bend in the road,”
to protect Florida's bird populations. Ernest "Tom" Coe (1866
captured your imagination and heart- just as it did Captains
for Connecticut’s residents, moved to South Florida in 1925 and
of Industry and captains of boats long ago. Naples' original resort was the –1951), a New Haven landscaper who cultivated exotic plants
land itself where nomads Roger Gordon and Joe Wiggin set up camps later launched the Tropical Everglades National Park Association
in their namesake areas for trade with those traveling from Tampa to Key to lobby for a national park. Marjory Stoneman Douglas (1890
West until the famous Naples Hotel came along in 1888. –1998), a Miami Herald journalist, joined Coe in his plight to
For some, it was save the Everglades. Her book, The Everglades: River of Grass
hard to imagine what (1947), redefined the popular conception of the Everglades as a
drew anyone to this one source of free flowing fresh water essential to both the people and
traffic light town, yet its wildlife of the region to the people and cultures of South Florida.
unique mystique began
to define Southwest West Coast Champions
Florida's sophisticated
In 1945, Lester and Dellora Norris purchased the Keewaydin
new resort lifestyle.
Club on Key Island, launching their legacy of love for nature
By June 1959, Florida
and ultimately in 1964 The Collier County Conservancy. They
Trend magazine did
also quietly purchased logging property in 1957, which was
some investigative
the start of the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, and loaned
research and called the
Florida the money to purchase the land we now call Delnor- YOU’VE NEVER BEEN ONE TO MISS OUT ON A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
“nothing-to-do town” THE
Wiggins Pass State Park.
of Naples the favorite SO WHEN PLANNING YOUR NEXT MOVE, GO WITH A CHOICE WORTH CELEBRATING!
Mary Ellen Hawkins, our local State Representative at the
place of industrialists to recharge their psychic batteries noting for “every BEST
time who served from 1974-1994 was a guiding hand for our
alligator pushed out, there was a millionaire to move in.” These corporate Our expansive, new resort retirement community offers luxurious independent living options,
Big Cypress Basin, decided the Norris family needed a little
and philanthropic giants, who fell in love with the Naples charm and next quality amenities and exceptional continuing care including assisted living, memory care,
recognition so she received approval to blend the first three letter
simplicity, had a nonchalant attitude about attracting industry here. short-term rehabilitation and residential healthcare. Plus, with a 95% refundable entrance fee,
of Dellora’s name with the first three letter of Norris –hence thing
Their attitude shifted a bit when a Miami firm expressed an interest
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. it’s Naples’ most attractive resort retirement community!
to establish an industrial plant at the airport (way over in the eastern
So how is Lawrence
area called Airport Road). But when the role of this plant was slated to
Francis Rooney III, former SEE THE BEST NEXT THING TODAY.
test aircraft engines, their interest quickly shifted into horror. The last
United States Ambassador Call (239) 307-3050 for your personal tour.
thing they wanted in their home away from home was a life like they
to the Holy See (2005- 7900 Arlington Circle | Naples, FL 34113
had up north.
2008), connected to the www.arlingtonnaples.org
A Forbes article that same year reported that Naples had more
aforementioned protectors
millionaires per capita than any other place in the country, but some
of our ecosystems? Our
thought that figure was too low. Who else could afford to pay cash
newest Congressman,
for homes costing $25,000 and up in 1959? The article also questioned
whose family’s legacy for
whether this remote, get-away-from-it-all town could be transformed
honesty and work ethics,
into a mass-marketed resort town. Well I think we can put that question
dates back to pre-Oklahoma
to bed.
statehood, shares Bradley,
Coe and Douglas’ love of the Everglades and its connection
Balancing Alligator and Millionaire to our most precious resource (next to our children), water.
Life is a balancing act and no place knows this better than our precious His Naples home literally sits on land that was dredged from
Everglades-an integral pat of life in Naples. Many people (millionaires Key Island - land owned by Lester and Dellora Norris. Now
and W-2ers) on both the east and west coast of Florida have given Southwest Floridians are looking for his guiding hand, to
their time, talent and treasure to protect our quality of life. Guy Morrell ensure that the Federal government does its part to finally make
Bradley (1870 –1905), one of the country's first game wardens, was tasked the Everglades restoration a reality and to keep the legacy of
with protecting the Everglades wading birds from plumb hunters. His love alive for generations to come.
The Arlington of Naples welcomes people of all faiths, beliefs and traditions. A Lutheran Life Community–serving seniors and
their families for more than a century. Lutheran Life Communities: Empowering vibrant, grace-filled living across all generations.
82 Life in Naples | February 2017