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Out with the Old and In with a
New Love of History

“If you don't know history, then you The marker for the Naples Daily News building that once stood
don't know anything. on Central Avenue is still missing as are the markers for the
You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of Naples Women’s Club and the First Golf Course. (Any news about
a tree. ” ( Michael Crichton) the markers’ whereabouts would be greatly appreciated as they cost
about $3,000 each.)

lorida Trend’s 1959 attitude on Naples Local History’s Value
being a “nothing-to-do-in-little-town”
F has changed over the years; so has the
by Lois Bolin attitude (somewhat) on the ‘value of local Remember: “If you don't know history, then you don't know anything.”
The Bronze Marker map I created for the City of Naples was to be
history’ in a town whose very survival, in more ways than one is
sure residents knew something about local history. Your QR Code
attributed to post World War II and the vision of those pioneering
reader will take you to an online link for information all of the
families who wanted the character and identity of Naples to be
20 historical markers. Enjoy the stories on how the magic in this
known for its casual elegance.
place we call home began.
A Centennial Celebration Dr. Bolin, Naples Favorite Storyteller, gives local history lectures and
On August 27, 1962, 15 like-minded people came together at tours around Paradise. Contact her through her website at LoisBolin.com
the Naples Yacht Club to “preserve all of the items, documents and or call 239-777-2281.
material which have a bearing on the history of Collier County.”
They aptly named their group the Collier County Historical Society.
In 1985 the CCHS launched The Centennial Foundation, which
had a two-fold purpose: recognize the importance of the beginning
of Naples and raise funds to enlarge the Collier County Museum
and continue the restoration of historic Palm Cottage. (The CCHS
name is now the Naples Historical Society.)

The Diamond Jubilee

On December 1, 1998, a committee of community stewards
launched the Naples Diamond Jubilee, a six-month celebration of the
city’s 75th anniversary of the founding of Collier County. The Town
of Naples was actually founded in 1886. Its surrounding communities
of Marco Island, Everglades City, and Immokalee were founded
around that same time as well. They became part of Collier County
on May 8, 1923 when the county was named after
Barron Gift Collier.
In 2011, I started seeking approval for three of the five slated
bronze markers, which were on the original list of 15 but never
completed: The Naples Company Building (1921 Bld.), Tin City
and Combs Fish Company (Kelly’s Fish House). The other new sites
I had hoped to get recognized were the Bayfront area that once
served as a rail turnaround and the Calusa Canal. One additional
site was later added, the First Baptist Church, located next to
City Hall, that became Chapel Grill and will soon be (sigh) condos.

46 Life in Naples | January 2020