Saving History

Barron Collier III must have enjoyed his drive to Everglades City Friday for the groundbreaking of the Bank of Everglades restoration because the smile never left his face. Collier's grandfather, county founder Barron G. Collier, had the bank built in 1927, and it remained a bank until 1962 after the county seat was moved from Everglades City to East Naples. For 36 years it was the only bank in Collier County. 

"I'm sure our grandfather would be very impressed about this getting renovated,” Collier told a gathering of around 100 onlookers including local leaders and officials, “and the fact that it's a gateway and also a visitor center into the Everglades and trailhead for the Florida trails. It's just wonderful that this is going to serve and be repurposed.” 

Collier was complimentary of Patty Huff, president of the Everglades Society for Historic Preservation (ESHP), who has spearheaded the restoration efforts. 

“When I met Patty a number of years ago,” Collier said, "she was explaining what they were wanting to do. I went, 'okay, that's going to take a lot of money.' And little did I know how dogmatic she was on chasing after that money and getting the right people in place. And for having the board who are all dedicated to making sure that this is just an incredible project.” 

“You know, in today's day and age, where they tear down old buildings, here in Everglades City, because it's such a unique community, they're trying to keep the historic preservation for buildings,” said Collier. “It’s very important. And kudos to Patty, the Historical Society and all the people of Everglades City who are trying to keep the unique charm that Everglades City provides. And for the kids that come in, who think banking is on a phone, to be able to come in and see how the bank really is. It's a little bit of history there. So hopefully, more and more people will be able to come down and enjoy everything that Everglades City has, from the obviously phenomenal fishing, stone crab industry, airboat tours, shops, (and) the restaurants. Because tourism is a vital part of Everglades City, this will be an important part of being able to keep that history going. I’d  just like to say thank you to all those that have contributed to making this project go.” 

District One County Commissioner Rick LoCastro was proud to be part of the ceremony. 

“Preserving these buildings is so important,” LoCastro said. "It's so easy to tear these down. And then when you do, they're gone forever. And if preserving something like this was easy, everybody would do it. But everybody doesn't have a Patty Huff. There's been some historical buildings that didn't stand the test of time because of not having a team of people to come together and do this. I love Everglades City so much. This is such a special place in all of Collier County. We have to continue to support and preserve this.” 

LoCastro compared the bank project to a similar project being planned for Goodland. 

“We have three little fishing cottages there that were supposed to be torn down,” LoCastro said. “It would have been easy to just say, tear them down and get them out of the way. The history that goes back to those cottages is the same as this bank history. Congratulations for all you're doing. I know it's a lot of heavy lifting. I can tell you the county is behind you and you've got so many other supporters as well. I can't wait to come back here and see the grand opening and the ribbon cutting. It's going to be such a great add to what you already have here in Everglades City. I'm honored to be here.” 

Bank of Everglades is one of 19 buildings listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in Collier County. It has also been identified as one of 47 historic sites in Collier County by the Historic and Archaeological Preservation Board of Collier County. After banking operations were moved to Immokalee, the building had several tenants, including a popular bed and breakfast starting in 1997. In 2021, Bob Flick donated the building to the ESHP. The building will be used as a welcome center for Everglades City. It will also serve as a dedicated Trail Town headquarters for bicyclists.