Naples Florida City and Real Estate Information naples real estateNaples is the county seat of Collier County on the western coast of Florida. Naples was the place to find the Calusa Indians in the 1700s and then to the Seminoles. The first European to step foot in Naples was the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon early in the 16th century. Former Confederate General John Stuart Williams and the friend and partner Walter N. Haldeman, who had been from Louisville and the publisher from the Louisville Courier-Journal, founded Naples within the 1880s. Using the newspaper for free advertising, the two promoted Naples’ beautiful mild climate and abundant wildlife. The name Naples was chosen because the climate and bay resembled Naples Italy. The Naples Hotel was built to attract the rich and famous to come and vacation in Naples, and the Naples pier was constructed in 1888 to allow boats easier access to the “city”, which was really a few streets etched out of the swamp. Naples was not formally established like a town until 1923.
naples flNaples’ identity as a tourist destination continues up to the present day. Naples remains a popular place for vacations along what's known in Florida because the Paradise Coast. The mild weather, attractive fishing and proximity to the Everglades have helped Naples to develop and flourish, especially over the last half of the 20th century. Today, nearly 80% from the land in Collier County is placed aside as preserve lands, wildlife refuges, state parks or state forests. Naples can also be known for its beautiful beaches and was voted the best beach by the Travel Channel in 2005, and something of the 20 best beaches in the country by them in 2006. Golfing is really a popular pastime in Naples with more than 80 championship golf courses and more holes per capita than any other city in America! Naples also offers a thriving art community with approximately 134 galleries found in the greater Naples area.
naples florida