There are two public access locations with parking and amenities (Tigertail and South Beach), a private beach complex for residents (Residents' Beach), a private parking area for residents (Sarazen Park at South Beach), and two other public access points (with no amenities). Offshore island beaches, such as Keewaydin, are accessible by boat or tour.
Parts of the island have some scenic, high elevations relative to the generally flat south Florida landscape. The island has a tropical climate; specifically a tropical wet and dry or savanna type (Aw under the Köppen system). It is known for its distinct wet and dry seasons, with most of the rainfall between June and October.
History
Marco Island in the 1960s
Marco Island's history can be traced to 500 CE, when the Calusa people inhabited the island as well as the rest of southwest Florida. A number of Calusa artifacts were discovered on Key Marco (an island then adjacent, and since attached, to Marco Island) in 1896 by anthropologist Frank Hamilton Cushing as part of the Pepper-Hearst Expedition. The most notable artifact discovered was the carved wooden "Key Marco Cat,"[5] now on display at the Smithsonian Institution.[6] The artifact is featured on a 1989 postage stamp.[7]
When Spanish explorers came to the island in the mid-1500s, they gave the island the name La Isla de San Marcos after St. Mark, traditionally considered the author of the Gospel of Mark.[8]
Early development of the island began in the late 1800s after the arrival of William Thomas Collier and his family. Collier founded the village of Marco on the island in 1870, and in 1896 his son, William D. "Capt. Bill" Collier, opened a hotel on the island, known today as the Olde Marco Inn.[9]
Clam digging became a major industry on Marco Island and throughout the Ten Thousand Islands in the early 1900s. The Burnham Clam Cannery began operation near Caxambas Pass in 1903 and operated until 1929. The Doxsee Clam Cannery also operated from 1911 to 1947.
In 1912, ferry service began between Marco Island and the Isles of Capri. A road on the mainland linked the ferry landing with East Naples (just west of State Road 951). A small piece of this road remains and is known as Barefoot Williams Road.[10]
Barron G. Collier (whom Collier County is named after, and no relation to William T. Collier) purchased a large amount of land on Marco Island in 1922, and in 1927 the island incorporated as Collier City. Collier City was abolished in 1957. James Harvey Doxsee Sr. served as Collier City's only mayor.[11]
Also in 1927, the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad began service to the island after extending its route from Fort Myers and Naples. The railroad ran to the island along the present route of State Road 951. Rail service was discontinued in 1944.[12]
The first vehicle bridge to the island was a small wooden swing bridge built in 1938 near Goodland on the island's southeast side. Remnants of this bridge can be seen next to Goodland Bridge (built in 1975). The island's ferry service was discontinued after the original Goodland Bridge opened.
Significant development of Marco Island took place in the 1960s that made it into the retirement and tourist destination it is today. The Mackle brothers of the Deltona Corporation led development of the island after purchasing large amounts of land there for $7 million. As a result of development, the S.S. Jolley Bridge opened for traffic in 1969.[13]
Marco Island reincorporated as a city on August 28, 1997.[14] As in many coastal communities, residents battle short-term rentals and traffic congestion.
On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian devastated the island with an 8’ storm surge.[15]
Geography
Marco Island is in southwestern Collier County,[16] along the Gulf of Mexico.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 22.8 square miles (59.0 km2), of which 12.1 square miles (31.4 km2) is land and 10.7 square miles (27.6 km2) (46.73%) is water.[17]
Climate
Marco Island has a tropical climate that borders on a humid subtropical climate since the mean temperature in the coldest month, January, is 64.4 °F (18.0 °C) which is barely over the 64 °F (18 °C) threshold for a tropical climate.
Climate data for Marco Island, Florida, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 2002–present
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 15,760 people, 9,056 households, and 6,109 families residing in the city.[23]
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 16,413 people, 7,517 households, and 5,393 families residing in the city.[24]
In 2010, there were 7,517 households, out of which 9.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21.
In 2010, the median income for a household in the city was $73,373, and the per capita income was $52,089. 2.1% of the population were below the poverty level.
