Naples is the county seat of Collier County located on the western coast of Florida. Naples was the place to find the Calusa Indians in the 1700s and later 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 of 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 a real few streets etched from the swamp. Naples was not formally established like a town until 1923.
Naples’ identity as a tourist destination has continued up to the present day. Naples remains a popular place for vacations along what's known in Florida as the Paradise Coast. The mild weather, attractive fishing and proximity to the Everglades have helped Naples to develop and flourish, especially during the last half of the 20th century. Today, nearly 80% of the land in Collier County is placed aside as preserve lands, wildlife refuges, state parks or state forests. Naples is also known for its beautiful beaches and was voted the best beach by the Travel Channel in 2005, and one of the 20 best beaches in the united states by them in 2006. Golfing is a popular pastime in Naples with more than 80 championship courses and more holes per capita than any other city in America! Naples also has a thriving art community with approximately 134 galleries found in the greater Naples area.
naples florida