STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

Tell us about it

• What would you add to this story? Tell us what we missed.
• Do you have photos from this event? Documents we need to see? Share with us.
• Upload photos & videos
• More ways to get your stuff online and in the paper.

More History of Marco Island

• Marco Island museum leaders to learn from County museum director
• Living history: Old timers reflect on pre-1960s Marco
• 30 years ago today: October 1, 2008

Share and Enjoy [?]

Fast facts

The architectural team of Jim Vensel and Herb Savage were employed by Deltona in the 1960s to plot Marco Island and design many of the structures on it. One was the original Yacht Club, which was not to follow the general plan of Polynesian style, but to resemble “old Florida” buildings. To this end, it had a driftwood finish and a thick tile roof.

Tennis was all the rage at that time, and there were several courts at the club. In the river were 20 slips as well as a ramp for other boats.

The facility became a center for activity on the entire island. One of the unique features of the clubhouse was a stepped-down cocktail lounge allowing guests at the tables or bar to watch river traffic almost at eye level.

The same architects designed many other public buildings here, such as the first Residents’ Beach clubhouse, the Marriott Hotel, the Island Country Club, the Marco Beach Realty office, the medical building at Bald Eagle and San Marco, the Deltona sales office, most of Town Center and several banks, including the one now occupied by City Hall.

In addition, they were responsible for many private homes and condominiums such as Emerald Beach, Admiralty House, Sunset Towers, Gulfview and others.

What’s going on in the Historical Society?

Reserve this date! On Oct. 8, the Society will present a program tiled “Roots of Marco’s Past” with a panel of the area’s “old-timers” descendants. They will discuss the island as it was before 1960 and share memories of Marco, Goodland and Caxambas. Some of the panelists are Henry Lowe, Lois Howard Crews, Carson Bomar, Marilyn Rimes Sims, Michael Griffis, Lucille Doxsee Thompson, Curtis Wyman Bostick and Nellie Hamilton Whitehurst. The panel will be moderated by Craig Woodward, whose family came here in 1967. Our special thanks go to Faye Brown, who helped arrange this program, and President Darcie Guerin who sent more than 80 invitations. Bill Hughes of Naples will videograph the proceedings.

The Society is looking for a few good members: Kay Ziegler’s calling committee is in need of two or three helpers who can spare a few minutes each month. Call Kay at 643-0711. Marketing Director Patty Marzula needs an assistant — call Darcie Guerin at 394-7280.

---

Marion Nicolay and Betsy Perdichizzi of the Marco Island Historical Society are compiling this report on a weekly basis for the Eagle. Shirley Beckwith oversees the archiving of photos for MIHS.