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

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
A Step Back In Time: 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
Hall Family Legacy 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
by Heather McDermott town development period with the establishment of Port Royal, The

s the city of Naples observes its centennial anniversary, Caribbean Gardens, River Park, Coquina Sands, The Moorings,
rd
locally owned and operated Gulf Coast International 3 Street South, Lake Park Elementary School,
A Properties is pleased to share in the celebration. and much more.
Todd Hall, GCIP real estate agent and proud Naples native, has GCIP agent Todd’s deep Naples legacy extends to his father’s side
a rich family legacy stretching back several generations to the of the family as well, highlighted by his devoted service to the youth
beginning of our town’s history. Todd’s family were among the of Collier County. Todd’s father, James Earl Hall (“Earl”), moved with
early pioneers of Naples, making significant and lasting impacts his family to Naples in 1954 from the panhandle town of Chipley.
on the foundation of our city. Earl excelled in gymnastics, graduating from Naples High School in
Todd’s mother, Peggy Pittman, spent summers in Naples in 1958, and went on to attend the University of Southern Mississippi
the 1950s. In 1964, Peggy moved to Naples and lived with her on a gymnastics scholarship. While coaching a women’s high school
great aunt and uncle, the Smiths, and accepted a teaching job at gymnastics team in Fort Myers, Earl was invited to teach at Seagate
the newly opened Seagate Elementary School. Her aunt, Elementary School where he met his future wife, Peggy. Earl’s skill as
Geraldine Smith, was an extremely active citizen, serving on the a gymnastic coach was renowned throughout the region.
Everglades City school board and was instrumental in assisting Earl later went on to receive his master’s degree in Education
with the founding of the 15 bed Naples Community Hospital. Administration at Florida Atlantic University and spent his career as
Peggy’s great uncle, Walter Roy Smith, or W. Roy Smith as he Principal at many Collier County schools, serving the youth of our
was known, was the Mayor of Naples from 1946 to 1960, county for many years. In addition, Earl spent 30 years in the
a time when development and the establishment of the town as Army National Guard.
we know it was truly beginning. Born in Alabama in 1909, Retired for 27 years, Peggy and Earl fondly remember the Naples
W. Roy Smith lived in Wauchula, Florida where he worked of times past. Peggy states, “Someone recently commented to me that
for Standard Oil Company and in the farming industry until I’ve been here in Naples a long time, and asked if
1914. After a business trip with Standard Oil brought him to I wished it would go back to the way it was. I said, ‘I love it here now
visit Naples, he immediately fell in love with the pier and the and the only way I would go back in time is if the people
community and decided to move the family down to Naples in I loved from those times were still here.’ Naples is a wonderful place,
1936. Fifth Avenue South was just beginning to establish itself and we are so lucky to live here.”
as the commercial hub of Naples, and W. Roy opened Naples Naples waterfront real estate expert Todd has seen the landscape evolve
Grocery in 1936, followed by Smith Furniture Company in 1948. and provides an immense amount of homegrown insight into
It was during this time that he became Mayor, serving an the local market. To speak with Todd directly, please call 239.289.3618 or
astounding seven consecutive 2 year terms in the role. email todd@gcipnaples.com.

Life in Naples | November 2024 13