The Railroads
As thousands of new residents settled in Florida during the land boom, and the state Legislature created 13 new counties, including Collier, railroad executives took note. They were eager to capitalize on the growth at a time when railroads were in their heyday.
In 1916, the Atlantic Coast Line (ACL) extended their main route to Immokalee because of the valuable timber and later continued the line through Deep
Lake, home of vast grapefruit groves owned by Barron Collier. ACL purchased Mr. Collier's rail line between Deep Lake and Everglades City, which became the southernmost point of the ACL railroad system.
In 1926 ACL and the Seaboard Air Line (SAL) railway were competing to build a hub
'
After serving in World War II,
Barron Collier's sons took over
the active direction of the Florida
enterprises. The second son,
Samuel Carnes, worked for a year
for Copeland before he retired.
The third son, Miles, who shared
his father's love for the land and
his people died suddenly in 1955
from a virus infection. That left
Barron Jr. the task of directing
the family enterprises.
At the beginning of the 20th century South West Florida lacked of infrastructure. Visitors mostly had to travel by boat from Fort Myers to reach Naples. No railways or major roads extended to Naples. The travel from Fort Myers to Naples and any other points south took multiple days either via boat or bumpy road.
Although railroads had been built throughout Florida following the Disston land purchase, those railroads had not reached Naples or any part of South West Florida south of Fort Myers.
This all changed in the late 1920's. In 1926 and 1927, two rival railroads reached Naples
11 days apart.
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COLLIER'S RESERVE COUNTRY CLUB