We explore the life of Barron Gift Collier with local author Marya Repko. Her new book, "The Story of Barron Collier" tells the story of Collier, who made a fortune with his advertising business before investing in Florida.
He became the largest landowner in Florida, bought hotels, operated telephone systems, published newspapers, and undertook a road-building project across the swamps of the Everglades. At the same time, he was keeping up his New York interests as a civic leader, generous with his creativity and wealth. This is the third in a series of History for Younger Readers and is based on the Repko’s research for the adult version "Everglades Entrepreneur," all published by ECity Publishing.
Marya Repko grew up in Hadlyme, CT, but lived most of her adult life in Europe as a software engineer. After retirement, she moved to Everglades City, FL, where her first book "A Brief History of the Everglades City Area" has sold thousands of copies. Other brief histories of "Deaconess Harriet Bedell", "Marjory Stoneman Douglas", and "Sanibel" have been well-received, as have the children’s versions of the Everglades and Sanibel books. Her most recent book "Women in the Everglades" describes the hardships of pioneer life and the achievements of early environmentalists. She is President of the Everglades Society for Historic Preservation.
