Coming of Age: Naples, Florida | Untold Stories | Florida History
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In the 1940s, Naples, Florida was little more than a bend in the road, a one stop-light town in the boondocks and barely on the map. Thirty years later, the backwater was a boomtown, and Naples was reputed to have more golf courses -- and millionaires -- per capita, than any other city in America.
The sunshine state has a rich and colorful history. For hundreds of years the state has attracted dreamers, opportunists, inventors and fortune-seekers. WGCU's Untold Stories aims to preserve the history of Southwest Florida communities.
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Coming of Age: Naples, Florida | Untold Stories | Florida History
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I was born in Naples in ‘77 and raised here. I miss the 80s and 90s Naples. Not so many communities, golf courses, and corporate franchises. The “mom and pop” shops & locally run restaurants/bars are almost all gone now. Updates over the last 15 years has taken the charm away and replaced it with rude and entitled snobs. No longer a friendly and relaxed beach town 😭
@8.4V10
Жыл бұрын
I was born and raised in Naples in 99 and just over that small time I’ve noticed a huge change it’s not the same as it use to be. I still love it since it’s my hometown but it doesn’t feel like it used to anymore
@MoMoMyPup10
Жыл бұрын
It's funny because I moved to Ft. Myers in 2006 and I've always been drawn to Naples _because_ of the charm and relaxing atmosphere 🤷♂....but I don't live there. My friend up north called it 'the Beverly Hills of the east coast' when she visited, and I guess that would explain the distaste you have. I just think that we get accustomed to the way things were and we throw out the baby with the bath water when it changes, not to our preference. Nostalgia is real and palpable, and the whole area has changed dramatically in the last few decades, but Naples is still a very beautiful city. At least everything _west_ of 41 😁
@diodelvino3048
11 ай бұрын
i wish i was born in Naples earlier, but even i noticed the big changes especially with the lack of local spots to eat that arent chains and now we're one of the most expensive cities in Florida to live in. Yes theres so many rude entitle snobs here now, just horrible personalities coming down here to retire and they cant drive. Population in the area has exploded in recent decade and with the increase of tourism , all the smaller town feels are disappearing.
You should see it now. My husband worked on mansions in gated communities. Nothing small about Naples at all. Air condition changed everything. Alot of these places are no longer there. Hugh condos all along the beaches. Port Royal is beautiful.
@littlehummingbird1015
Жыл бұрын
My grand parents lived in Port Royal during the winters from about 1958 to 1985. Their original house is now unrecognizable....and sad to see.
@MoMoMyPup10
Жыл бұрын
To look at it now is incredible after watching the origin story here. Port Royal and Gordon Dr. is obscene with jaw dropping wealth. I dropped I client off to go on a sightseeing tour in Naples and when she came back she said "now I know where the top 1/10th of 1% live"
At 9:00pm every evening in Naples, some guy hits a master power switch and everything closes down.
@littlehummingbird1015
2 жыл бұрын
Gross~
Wish it was that way now.
@wallaceowens1412
3 жыл бұрын
Nu by
@littlehummingbird1015
2 жыл бұрын
You aren't the ONLY one! I lived there in the '50s.
My Dad worked on the expansion of the Alley. Every bridge across there had a Pittsfield crew doing one step or another.
Clem Stewart was the Golf Superintendent of The Beach Club. Paul Nevers was a big part of the building of the "BIG CYPRESS GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB" He remained there after it opened in 1964 as the Golf Course Superintendent until he retired. In those days Ed Frank's son Paul Frank would land his yellow bi- plane on # 3 fairway (it was the longest one to land on) and take us kids up to fly over Naples. Try to do that today.
@littlehummingbird1015
Жыл бұрын
🥺
Very interesting, but the snobbishness is sickening 🇺🇸
@littlehummingbird1015
2 жыл бұрын
Tragic to learn of that.
I would love to see one of these about Cocoa Beach. Merritt island cape canaveral area
For those complaining about traffic in Naples, this is nothing compared to the parking lot on I95 on the east coast of Florida. I’ve lived on both sides and the east coast is the nightmare.
@waden404
2 жыл бұрын
Go visit Pinellas County.....what a flippin mess. WAY over populated now.
I knew Forrest Walker when I lived in Florida. Also his son Lorenzo Walker. They all became wealthy from real estate in Naples and Bonita Springs. I attended church with Lorenzo. Of course they all past away many years ago. I lived in SW Florida from 1982 until 2006. But my husband and I moved back to Ohio. Just way to many people down there. It grew like crazy while we lived there as well.
@8.4V10
2 жыл бұрын
Naples is my home town I do miss it id love to go back if I could
@littlehummingbird1015
2 жыл бұрын
@@8.4V10 Do you remember the Beach Store and the movie house next to it? We lived down the road on 3rd Ave South...near the end. Left in 1958 to move back to Penna....
@pfcampos7041
Жыл бұрын
I grew up there from 1972 to 1999 it continues to grow rapidly to the point its hardly recognizable when I go back home.
I love FL
moved to naples in 73 it is not the same as it was, sorry to say.
Naples stopped being great in the 80’s Too dang many people now
My husband worked in pelican bay. Exactually its in Bonita Springs.
@yourlocalhitman4166
3 жыл бұрын
Pelican Bay is in Naples not Bonita, you're thinking of Bonita Bay
@flman1284
2 ай бұрын
@@yourlocalhitman4166 or Pelican Landing
a $10. beach lot ? and they could not sell them. that is something
17:23 where did it all go wrong😂
Current Naples is so busy and the traffic is terrible it’s basically the same as in high end and wanting nothing but the best but u get snobs in that category and for the cost of a one bedroom apartment is around 1200 and people make the same minimum wage as everyone else it’s literally ridiculous.... a complete separation between the rich and middle class because ur either rich or poor here so being middle class somewhere else still puts u as low man on totem pole down here
@sharoncrawford3042
3 жыл бұрын
This person is correct.
@littlehummingbird1015
2 жыл бұрын
I can well imagine. I have heartbreak over what Naples has become....we lived there in the 1950's.
@diodelvino3048
11 ай бұрын
Yup even worse now, Average rent for one bedroom is around $1,500.
@candicecorbin4690
11 ай бұрын
Its a land of opportunity, :) great place to be as an artist! I love it here :)
Its not a well kept secret now......
My name is Bill Rayburn i was raised in naples back in the 60. My farther was one of men that help build golden gate estates. The land was under water until they dug the canals to drains it. that is not were it started from if you would like to a lot more let me know,
@AJ287772
Жыл бұрын
Any stories of north Naples, Naples park, what I-75 was like
@itsnitz0575
Жыл бұрын
That's cool. I know exactly what you're talking about. I grew up on 27th st nw in Golden gate estates. Every road connected basically along the canals with trails we use to ride to jump from st to st lol. I was there in the 80s and 90s
What about current Naples?
@needsomeink
3 жыл бұрын
It sucks
@sharoncrawford3042
3 жыл бұрын
Alot of traffic and way to many people. Use to live there. Moved there in 1982. But it was a lot different then.
@larzhillbot1443
2 жыл бұрын
Mega overpopulated i moved away from Ft Myers 20 years ago for same reasons developers ruined every thing
@larzhillbot1443
2 жыл бұрын
@@sharoncrawford3042 grew up at Ft Myers beach back in 60/70s when it was still mom and pop beach cottages ... Now a Concrete Hell
@littlehummingbird1015
2 жыл бұрын
@@larzhillbot1443 I can imagine that they did...they always do!
Krehling industries hank....
I can't wait to live in naples!
@paulwaters5125
2 жыл бұрын
We're full.
@littlehummingbird1015
2 жыл бұрын
ARe you the snob type? IF so, you will fit in from what I've read.
There are banks on every corner almost in Naples.
@sharlenesizer9906
3 жыл бұрын
Maybe because of all of the people with money that own homes there! Haha 😉
@littlehummingbird1015
2 жыл бұрын
Just wait....when the economy crashes....just imagine what will happen to all those billionaires there! And...all the properties too...may end up like a ghost town, don't ya think?
@itsnitz0575
Жыл бұрын
@@littlehummingbird1015no
@littlehummingbird1015
Жыл бұрын
@@OMTZ0 we'll see.....
Ruined by over population same as Ft Myers
@littlehummingbird1015
2 жыл бұрын
So sad to hear that....I could ride my bike to school...go into town from school for lunch during the lunch hour...ride bikes everywhere.
As much as i like my state, Naples is just 'too much' for me. Growing up in Clearwater, i dont even go to the rat race known as Clwtr Beach at this point.
They need to give tax and other breaks to those who own historic vernacular homes to help preserve them and demotivate the sale of history to those who will raze it and put up multi-storied undistinguished condo boxes in their place.
@littlehummingbird1015
2 жыл бұрын
I think there are few original homes there anymore....sad to say!
Port Royal was a Blk American community
@itsnitz0575
Жыл бұрын
Huh? That was river park. Port royal started off as one of the most extravagant places to live in Naples. You had to be literally hand picked to live in that community. 😂
...now being over developed, over priced, and overrun by NY and NJ trash.