HISTORY

When the early European settlers arrived in about 1887 they likened the seven-mile stretch of sugar sand beach to that of the beautiful Italian peninsula of Naples, Italy. Walter N. Haldeman, the owner of the Louisville Courier-Journal, purchased land and founded Naples, and he was the first to protrude a 600-foot fishing pier out into the Gulf of Mexico.  

In 1905, one could purchase a beach lot for just $125.00. Prices have increased since then, but Naples is still the best deal if you’re looking to settle into a pristine paradise that is world-renowned for its beaches, golf courses, restaurants and lifestyle. Today, Naples is the crown jewel of Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast and is visited by people from all over the world.

Southwest Florida is famous for its golf, and that point is definitely not lost on the professional tour players. Many of the pros have a primary or secondary home in the Marco/Naples/Bonita area, including Peter Jacobsen, Rocco Mediate, Scott Hoch, Chip Beck, John Harris, Wayne Levi, Mark Lye, Fuzzy Zoeller, Kris Tamulis, and others.  Each year, more pros purchase homes after experiencing Naples by playing in the Champion’s Tour Ace Classic and The Shark Shootout, hosted by Greg Norman.  If you’re interested in living in a golf community please contact us for more information.

Over the past decade, the arts have transformed Southwest Florida into one of the state’s most cosmopolitan areas. Audiences delight in our performing arts scene, where talented local actors bring life to Broadway favorites and new plays at intimate community playhouses. Fine arts lovers will enjoy a host of exceptional galleries and studios. The galleries are bursting with brilliant renderings of the picturesque local environment, unique wildlife and breathtaking sunsets. In addition to the natural selections, you’ll find a wide variety of modernism, cubism, impressionism and abstract arts.

In Naples, the Philharmonic Center for the Arts (Artis – Naples) is the premier performing arts hall in Southwest Florida, hosting more than 400 events a year including world-class dance, opera, classical and popular music and Broadway musicals. The Phil features four art galleries and two sculpture gardens. The Collector's Corner offers an outstanding variety of art and rare gifts for sale.

Another venue for Southwest Florida performing arts is Fort Myers’ Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. For 20 years, the venue has played host to the most popular shows and performing artists in the country. Cats, Mama Mia!, The Producers, Movin’ Out. You name it, they’ve had it. And if the show you’re looking for hasn’t played yet, chances are, it will.