Naples Florida Real Estate MLS
Naples is the county seat of Collier County located on the western coast of Florida. Naples was home to 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 his friend and partner Walter N. Haldeman, who was from Louisville and the publisher of the Louisville Courier-Journal, founded Naples in 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 as a town until 1923.
Naples’ identity as a tourist destination has continued up to the present day. Naples continues to be a popular place for vacations along what is known in Florida as the Paradise Coast. The mild weather, attractive fishing and proximity to the Everglades have helped Naples to grow and flourish, especially during the last half of the 20th century. Today, nearly 80% of the land in Collier County is set 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 country by them in 2006. Golfing is a popular pastime in Naples with over 80 championship golf courses and more holes per capita than any other city in America! Naples also has a thriving art community with approximately 134 galleries located in the greater Naples area.