Port of the Islands

Our photo last Sunday showing Port of the Islands being dredged and filled in 1968 about 22 miles east of Naples caught the eye of Daily News reader Chuck Ray. He and his late brother, Bill, owned and ran the property from 1979 — when they outbid Lely and the Rev. Sun Myung Moon — until 1991.

Ray, now living in Pine Ridge, shares these rare photos of the 540 acres first known about 1963 as Remuda Ranch, on the edge of the Everglades.

Its direct access to the Ten Thousand Islands and Gulf of Mexico made the spot a favorite of anglers; its two hotels attracted weekenders from both coasts and global travel writers; its skeet range attracted shooting tournaments; and its wide-open spaces and penchant for rustic fun attracted chili cookoffs.

The surviving Ray recalls house and condo development, which thrives today, started around 1983.

The resort component of Port of the Islands has gone through one phase after another since the Ray family sold it in 1991.

The marina/hotel/restaurant part of the south half is now owned and operated by Jim and son Christopher Shucart of Naples. They too have redevelopment plans that they will be announcing as soon as next month.

The swamp resort site stands as a symbol of odd Florida real estate practices of the past. The founder was Great American Corp., which used it to host would-be customers of its Cape Coral and Golden Gate subdivisions. If GAC could do this, or so the sale pitch was said to go, GAC could do anything.

Enjoy.