Bridging the History & Future of Naples with Jacob Winge

In this episode of Icons of Naples, Kristen Weardon welcomes Jacob Winge, a local historian and civic leader whose family roots in Southwest Florida stretch back nearly a century. Jacob provides a vivid look at the evolution of Collier County, from its days as a vast wilderness of 5,000 residents to the interconnected international destination it is today. Jacob shares the history of his family’s local businesses, including George W. Shepard & Son and his grandfather's specialized fish taxidermy, offering a unique perspective on the industries that first built this community. The conversation explores the distinct identities of Naples' many neighborhoods and serves as a passionate call for long-term vision and community involvement to preserve the "mosaic" of Florida's west coast. “We want to keep those individual identities...you get a mosaic when every community has its own little color on the board.” — Jacob Winge. Thank you to our location sponsor, Feel Amazing Spine and Joint Institute, for allowing us to record in their space. Thank you to our technology sponsor, Robert of Philadelphia, for making this podcast possible.