"marco island florida" a Marco Island Travel Page by doug48

marco island is the largest barrier island within southwest florida's ten thousand island area. around 4000 BC the island was inhabited by the calusa native american tribe. the calusa lived in the area until the 1700's when they were wiped out by european diseases brought to florida by spanish explorers. marco island was virtually unhibited until 1870. in 1870 W.T. collier was marco island's first white settler. his son captain bill collier built a small hotel on marco island in 1896. today part of this historic building is the old marco island inn. in 1922 barron collier (no relation to capt bill) bought most of the island. barron collier planned to develop the island but his plans were halted by the great depression. in 1962 the mackell brothers development company bought marco island from the heirs of barron collier for seven million dollars. they developed the island as a retirement community. in recent years marco has become more upscale and now caters to wealthy northern tourists. marco island is affordable in the off season but in the winter tourist season prices for food and lodging rise significantly. of interest to the tourist is it's beautiful gulf beaches, excellent salt water fishing, world class golf, and the nearby everglades.