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More History of Marco Island

• History in Motion: January 9
• 30 Years Ago on Marco: Tolls, four-laning causes problems
• History In Motion: January 2, 2009

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Historic Old Marco Village, for decades a sleepy fishing village that came alive when well-to-do-sportsmen arrived for the season, is coming into new glory in its vintage years. Jutting north into Big Marco Pass and Collier Bay like an upright thumb, Old Marco’s waterfront property is drawing a king’s ransom as large investors vie for the few remaining development potentials. Three sizeable parcels, optioned for sale for $2.3 million, include Captain Jim’s Motel and Resort, owned by James Nankivell; the old post office building on Lee Avenue, owned by Fred Smith and the Islander Motel, owned by James Michael Griffis. Purchaser is Bayco Holdings Ltd. of Toronto, Canada.

Public interest to discharge 1.3 million gallons of treated sewage effluent each day into the Big Marco Pass has prompted the Marco Island Civic Association to schedule a town hall some time in November.

Those mysterious doors, which appeared a few weeks ago in the east wall of the Marco Post Office at 600 Elkcam Circle, are a mystery no longer. They are the public entrance to the new home of the Marco Island Eagle. The Eagle has come a long way since the first eight-page edition of the island’s only local newspaper was produced from a 20-by-15-foot room in Marco Highlands on March 31, 1968.

A Fort Lauderdale resident, Dale Shank, 54, is alive today thanks to the efforts of an island teenager. Jimmy Castor, 17, Goodland, pulled Shank from the Marco Villas Apartment Motel swimming pool after Shank developed a leg cramp. Motel guests flagged the teenager down who was driving by in his auto. Castor dove fully clothed into the pool and then revived Shank, with help from Carl Fruechtmeyer, the hotel owner.

The Rotary Club of Marco Island awarded its first Distinguished Island Award to Jane Hittler and posthumously to Wally Fischer. His wife Ann accepted the award. Each receive $250, which will be donated to a Marco Island organization for the benefit of the community.