Author Archives: Lois A. Bolin, Ph.D.

It was those other Colliers,” stated ” Judy Sproul, granddaughter of Barron

Gift Collier, as a point of clarification about some kind of dredge. Digging for information about “those other Colliers,” the ones with no relation to Barron, led me to the story of their own diggings — diggings that uncovered one of the most significant archaeological finds in Southwest Florida history, and that also resulted in a new approach to digging for clams.

Main Street often refers to a place of traditional values, a primary retail street in a town where retailing and socializing take place. Our Main Street was once nothing more than a turn in the road between Fort Myers and Miami. Today it’s known as Fifth Avenue South. Four Corners

There is no history here,” remarked a newly transplanted City of Naples employee in 2007. “If the Historic District is ever de-listed, all we’ll have to do is take down the signs.”

Charles Tebeau said nature made Collier County a part of America’s last frontier, with settlements all along the fringe of the county. Each of these settlements had its own unique economic, political and legal connections, and they had little dealings among themselves — that is, until the Tamiami Trail and the railroads made connections possible.