Naples road names’ history
Radio Road
The road derives its name from Naples’ inaugural radio station, WNOG, which operated its transmission towers along Radio Road for almost three decades, according to a recent article by B.D. Green of Naples Daily News.
WNOG, broadcasting at 1270 AM with call letters believed to signify “Wonderful Naples on the Gulf,” commenced operations in 1954. The original studio and transmitters were not situated on what would later be called Radio Road, however. WNOG’s first location was on Palm Street, just off U.S. 41 East, until Hurricane Donna struck Naples in September 1960, inundating the radio station and altering the local scenery.
Airport-Pulling Road
The name honors John Pulling Sr., a highly influential land investor in Collier County. His name was affixed to what was previously known as Airport Road.
Barefoot Williams Road
Located off the East Trail, this area is named after the legendary Barefoot Williams, who previously owned an oyster house at the end of the road and supplied shellfish to numerous local restaurants.
Crayton Road and Crayton Cove, located off Naples Bay, are named after E.W. “Ed” Crayton, who managed Naples in the early part of the century and established the Naples Improvement Company. The previous Ohio real estate executive held the positions of chairman and president of the Town Council from 1923 to 1938.
Fleischmann Boulevard
Located between Fleischmann Park and Coastland Center mall, this area is named after Julius K. Fleischmann Jr., a prominent local investor and developer. He was the offspring of a past mayor of Cincinnati and the grandson of the founder of Fleischmann Yeast. Fleischmann’s initial endeavor took place in the Third Street South shopping district. In 1952, he brought back to life and founded Caribbean Gardens.
Wiggins Pass Road
Wiggins Pass Road, along with the connected waterway and adjacent state park, is named after Joe Wiggins, who ran a trading post and is recognized as the first recorded homesteader in the area.
The original article expresses gratitude to the Collier County Museum, located at 3331 U.S. 41 E., East Naples, for their research and provision of information regarding several local road names.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News