Business Magnate. An advertising entrepreneur, he became the largest landowner and developer in Florida. Collier owned of a chain of hotels, bus lines, several banks, newspapers, a telephone company and a steamship line. At the age of 20 he launched his Consolidated Street Railway Advertising Company in New York City, and within six years he had made his first million. While on vacation in Fort Myers, Florida in 1911, he decided to purchase Useppa Island, where he opened the exclusive Izaak Walton Club. He went on to develop golf courses and by 1922 he owned more than a million acres, making him the largest private landowner in southwestern Florida. Collier transformed the area, draining the Everglades and constructing the Tamiani Trail. Collier County was named for him in 1923.
Business Magnate. An advertising entrepreneur, he became the largest landowner and developer in Florida. Collier owned of a chain of hotels, bus lines, several banks, newspapers, a telephone company and a steamship line. At the age of 20 he launched his Consolidated Street Railway Advertising Company in New York City, and within six years he had made his first million. While on vacation in Fort Myers, Florida in 1911, he decided to purchase Useppa Island, where he opened the exclusive Izaak Walton Club. He went on to develop golf courses and by 1922 he owned more than a million acres, making him the largest private landowner in southwestern Florida. Collier transformed the area, draining the Everglades and constructing the Tamiani Trail. Collier County was named for him in 1923.
Bio by: Ginny M
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