Marco Island is the largest of Florida's Ten Thousand Islands, located on the Gulf Coast of Mexico in Southwest Florida.

Marco Island's history dates back to the times of Ancient tribes, who have called this place home. Marco offers many attractions such as white sandy beaches, shops, boating, water activities, many local restaurants to suit anyone's palate, and that simple Island life-style. Dolphins, Manatees and many thousands of fish live in and around our waterways.

Four miles wide by six miles long, Marco Island is home to about 15,000 year-round residents and grows to over 40,000 During the months of January through March, due to the annual influx of vacationers and winter residents. Gulf water temperatures range from the low 60's in the winter to the high 80's in the summer and fall.

Marco Island History - When it all began

500BC- 1760AD - The Calusahatchee period:  Calusa Indians.  The Calusa Indians are said to be descendant of the Paleo-Indians who were thought to be the earliest man in North America between 9,500 and 6,500 BC. The Calusa inhabited Marco Island and the surrounding areas from around 500BC, The Calusa Indians were called "The Shell People" They were best known for their shell tools and jewelry and the huge "mounds" of shells that were discarded and became a burial ground for the dead and possibly hurricane protection. These mounds are still in existance today. One such mound is on Marco Island, It was named Indian hill by the early settlers. This "hill" is the highest point In South-West Florida (51ft)

C1500s - Spanish explorers and changing times: The Spanish explorers put Marco on the map around 1520AD. It was a companion of Columbus, Juan Ponce de Leon, Who let the first exploration of "La Florida". Marco and it's two cool artisian springs became a favorite place to replenish fresh water supplies. The area of the Artisian wells was named Caxambas by the spanish meaning "fresh water". This area is well known to this day by that name, it is located in the present day esates area. The Spanish named the Island "La Isla de San Marco" Which translates to "The Island of Saint Mark". It is named after the Christian evangilist and traditional Author of the second gospel of the bible. Juan Ponce De Leon was said to have been killed in 1521 by a Calusa Warrior.

1870 - W.T Collier and Captain Bill Collier: Shortly after the Civil War, in 1870, W.T Collier brough his wife and nine children from Tenessee to settle on Marco Island. They began a farming venture, growing cabages which they exported to Key West. In the 1880's Collier opened up a store. One of W.T Collier's sons, better known as Captain Bill Collier, was the one who really put Marco on the map, with his ideas and inventions. Captain Bill suffered a setback in 1888 after he opened a boat yard, he took one of his vessels to Key West and 18 miles from his destination he encounded some rough weather, the boat over turned killing three of the Captain's young sons. His plans were not discurraged, soon after, Captain Bill opened a successful hotel on the North part of the Island, known today as Old Marco. The hotel had 20 rooms and to this day The building remains and is part of The Olde Marco Inn and Suites. Captain Bill, was also monumental to the history of Marco when he discovered some Ancient Calusa artifacts. With the help of Frank Cushing from the Smithsonian institution, they uncovered one of the most successful archelogical digs in North America. The most famous artifact, The Marco Cat, is on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C

1908 - James and Tommie Barfield and the Hights:

1922 - Barron Gift Collier and Collier County: A sucessfull business man Barron G. Collier who was of no relation to the other Colliers, bought thousands of acres in Florida, soon he owned most of Collier County including 90% of Marco Island. Collier County was named after Barron Collier, when the construction of Tamiami Trail came to a halt due to Florida's financial difficalty. Collier agreed to fund the compleation and in return to be honered by having the county named after him. Barron had an idea to turn Marco Island and Everglades City into vacation hotspots. His dreams turned thin, when The great Deppression hit in the 1930's and Collier, like millions of others, suffered financially. His family continued his Real Estate legacy after his death in 1939.

1927 - Railway to Marc The Doxsee Clam factory began in 1911. As well as a second clam cannery, The Burnham factory at the Caxambus end of the Island. The factories were the reason for the construction of a Railway to Marco Island in 1927. The Railway was used for produce shipments. In the Mid 1940's the Railway was abandoned and the Burnham factory was closed due to the lack of clam beds. The Doxsee Clam factory closed in 1947.

1938 - First Bridge. The first road to reach Marco Island was State road 92, which starts at the US41 and reaches the south east side of the Island from the area we now call Goodland. The First Bridge was a wooden swing bridge which was in use in the Fort Myers area, then bought to Marco. The airforce used the swing bridge to access Marco Island in the late 1950's, When they had a Missile Tracking station located on the South-Western side of the Island, Which is now called Cape Marco.

1962 - Mackle Brothers and The Deltona Corp.

The Marco Island visionaries were the Mackle Brothers -- Elliott, Robert, and Frank, Jr. They are responsible for the modern development of Marco Island, and acquired most of Marco Island for $7 million. Their company, The Deltona Corporation, developed a master plan for the Island. It was to be designed for a complete range of resort and leisure living -- hotels, motels, apartments, and extensive areas for homes. Today Marco Island is an upscale community consisting of more than 5,000 single-family residential homes, 10,000 condominium units, 2,000 hotel units, 2,500 vacant residential lots, and a pleasant mix of restaurants, retail stores, and commercial services. With over 300 new homes constructed annually, the Island is expected to be substantially developed by 2010.

In 1962 the Mackle Brothers began to implement their vision to create a showcase island. They purchased most of Marco Island from the heirs of Barron Gift Collier. Excluded from the acquired property was the Old Marco and Highlands area, located in the center of the island. The Mackle Brothers paid $7 million for their initial interest. Later their company, The Deltona Corporation, acquired the remaining interest from the Collier heirs. The master plan called for 125 miles of paved roads and 90 miles of navigable bulkheaded waterways. Land was set aside for more than 12,000 homesites to be used for lot or housing sales; 425 acres was slated for resort hotels; 340 acres was set aside for future apartment construction; 275 for commercial development in planned business districts; 113 acres was designated for schools and churches; and 17 acres for medical facilities. They even set aside a half-mile of gulf beach for public park development under the auspices of Collier County.

In addition to a golf course, the master plan called for recreational amenities, yacht clubs, marine facilities, and a country club. The Mackles officially opened modern Marco Island January 31, 1965.

Following an extensive advertising campaign, particularly in Chicago, New York, Cleveland and Boston, and in western Europe, Latin America, and the Far East, people began to pour onto the island. Thirty days following the official opening, 50,000 inquiries would flood the tiny administration office on San Marco Road where the island police and fire department stands today.

The first waterways were constructed for opening day, as were the first twelve homes. Brochures listed the waterfront homes from $19,800 to $41,500 depending upon the size. Inland homes on Tahiti Road ranged in price from $14,900 to $23,500. Homesites were listed in the $2,550 range for inland lots and from $5,495 to $16,000 for waterfront sites.

By 1968 the island population had grown to an estimated 1,000 people and Deltona was continually adding new home models to the market.

At the end of the decade and on the eve of Marco Island’s fifth birthday there was enormous progress. Over 500 apartment units had been completed and another 172 were under construction. Emerald Beach, Sunset House, Southwind, Sea Breeze, and Sea Breeze South condominiums had been completed. Over 9,500 homesites had been sold and recreational facilities were under construction. A new bridge spanned the Marco River -- tolls were taken when it opened on December 13, 1969, the same year that the Marco Towne Center opened.

By the end of 1973 the population had jumped to an estimated 5,000 full and part-time residents. More than 700 single-family homes and 1,500 condominium units had been completed. By the mid-1970s the second bridge connecting the island with the mainland at Goodland was completed.

Serious problems developed for the Mackle Brothers in 1976. Previously approved dredge and fill permits to develop Barfield Bay and Big Key, the final two phases of development, were denied by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Environmentalists and conservationists would soon take center stage and through years of litigation, compromise, and public meetings, Deltona would fight the denial all the way to the Supreme Court while teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. In an effort to raise funds for their court battles, the company proceeded to sell many undeveloped properties at bargain basement prices and began selling assets, including its prized possession, the Marco Beach Hotel and Villas, which was sold to the Marriott Corporation in 1979 for $35 million.

On March 22, 1982 the Supreme Court refused a Deltona petition to overturn the court decision. The Mackles virtually turned their undeveloped holdings into nature preserves. More than 7,000 people had contracts for homesites on property that now could not be developed. Deltona had used much of the down payment cash flow to develop other parts of the island. The company immediately offered cash refunds, alternative island property, and exchanges for property in other Deltona communities.

Both residential and commercial development occurred at an astonishing pace through the 1980s thereafter. By 1998 about 80% of the total potential dwelling units had been completed.

Marco Island Today 

A sun-drenched jewel on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico, Marco Island features 6 miles of beach and over 100 miles of waterways within its 14 square miles. Marco Island is the largest Barrier Island within Southwest Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands area extending from Marco Island to Cape Sable. It lies within the subtropical to tropical climate zone and experiences a distinct wet and dry season with most of the rainfall occurring between the months of June and October. With a permanent population of 15,000 and a peak winter season population of 35,000, Marco Island’s residents and visitors alike call this special Island...Paradise.

The City of Marco Island is located in Collier County, a short drive from the City of Naples. It is well known for its high quality of life, natural resources, casual atmosphere, and friendly people.

 On August 28, 1997, the people of Marco Island elected to incorporate.  Marco Island became a city for the second time.  (The first time the city was known as Collier City and was incorporated in 1927, but later unincorporated.)  The first seven-member City Council was subsequently elected with a council-manager form of government.  City Council hired a city manager to assist in undertaking the task of providing traditional municipal services.   With the invaluable assistance of many citizens who volunteered to serve on various committees, the structure of the city took place. The new City Council took on many issues simultaneously, including the development of a comprehensive plan, a land development code, and operating departments to include law enforcement, fire-rescue, parks and recreation, public works, community development and administration.  City Council recognized the serious island infrastructure problems and has undertaken an aggressive capital improvement program.  Bridges and roads have been repaired.  Storm drainage problems continue to be addressed.  Waterways are dredged to ensure safe boating access. Over 100 miles of streets, storm drainage, rights-of-way, 12 bridges, and 6 parks come under city jurisdiction.  In May 2001 the city acquired the Bank of America building property on Bald Eagle Drive for $1.2 million. Located adjacent to the existing police and fire department property and across the street from the Marco Healthcare Center, this facility compliments the public service center of Marco Island as its first City Hall.

Following years of negotiations, the City acquired the water and wastewater system from a private owner in November 2003, at a cost of $85.3 million.  The decision to acquire the utility was made with wide public support and now allows the community to make reasonable and environmentally sound decisions regarding future water supply and environmentally safe wastewater treatment processes.  A business plan is under way to provide for better and more reliable water sources, new water treatment capacity, and an expansion of the wastewater collection system to eliminate septic tanks.

In 2003 the voters elected to acquire 6.85 acres of property near the town center at a cost of $10 million.  The property will be master planned to provide a variety of recreational and cultural opportunities.

Several major projects are under way.  These include the major reconstruction of North and South Collier Boulevard and the removal of overhead power lines to improve the beauty and ambiance of the island.

Quality commercial structures were and continue to be built along with upscale residential homes, condominiums and hotels.  Architectural standards help ensure quality development that promotes the unique quality and ambiance of Marco Island.

Quality restaurants, superb hotel and conference facilities, quality neighborhoods, easy access to the Gulf of Mexico, and pristine environment are among the finest in the nation. The white sandy beaches along the bright blue Gulf of Mexico, when combined with the warm winter climate are among the reasons that the residents and visitors call Marco Island "paradise."

The information on this page was provided by the Marco Island Chamber of commerce. 

The accuracy of this information is not warranted or guaranteed. The information should be independently verified if any person intends to engage in a transaction in reliance upon it.