Marco Island really is an island - it is connected to the mainland by the Jolley Bridge, part of State Road 951. Marco Island has two "population centers" - Marco Island and Goodland. The picture below shows the main beach on Marco Island.

Calusa Indians once lived on Marco Island, surviving on fishing and hunting. Some is known about Calusa Indians, but little is known about those who lived on Marco Island, since they disappeared at about the time of the arrival of the Spanish explorers. When Capt. Collier arrived in 1870, he found many Indian artifacts, one of the richest finds in Florida. Many sites were excavated by researchers from the Smithsonian Institution.

New York businessman Barron Gift Collier (no relation to Capt. Collier) brought the railroad to Marco Island in 1922. On May 8, 1923, he founded Collier County, and the county was named after him. But his dream of bringing vacationers to Marco Island was only realized in the early 1960's when Deltona Corporation undertook a colossal development project on Marco Island. For more information on island history, contact the Marco Island Historical Society

Marco Island offers excellent fishing and shelling. The Naples / Marco Island area has over 40 (!) golf courses. Marco Island is a special place where you really can get away from it all.

Local newspapers - the Marco Island Eagle, published every Wednesday, is a local newspaper read by residents and visitors alike. They also publish many of their articles online. Subscriptions to their printed paper can be made online, you can receive the newspaper even if you live outside of the area.

Government: the City of Marco Island has a basic web site, but they do a very good job of keeping it up to date with City Council meeting minutes and biographies of elected officials. The tiny fishing community of Goodland with only 200 residents has it's very own website !

While in the area, do take the time to visit the Everglades. The Florida Everglades Chamber of Commerce has a useful site to help you plan your activities. Don't miss the quaint village of Everglades City, as well as Ochopee Post Office, the smallest in America.

Also, even if you hate outdoorsy things, head out on an airboat in the Everglades - it is a one-of-a-kind experience that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. See pictures of the Everglades below.