Naples in Collier County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Palm Cottage
Photographed by Patrick Duggan, July 1, 2025
1. Palm Cottage Marker
Inscription.
Palm Cottage. . This house was built about 1895 by Walter N. Halderman, Owner/Publisher of the Louisville Courier-Journal, as a winter residence for his good friend and distinguished editor, Henry Watterson, who spent his winter working vacation here between 1900 and 1910. The building is constructed of tabbie mortar (made by burning local seashells) and is the only building so constructed remaining in South-west Florida. It is the second oldest existing residence in Naples and served as the residence of Walter O. Parmer from 1916 until his death in 1938. At that time it was called Palm Cottage. Between 1938 and 1944 it was the residence of two Canadians, George M. Hendrie and David S. Gillies, who renamed the Hamilton Ontario House. After their deaths it was purchased by Alexandra and Laurence Brown, who lived here until Alexandra died in 1978. The Browns entertained lavishly in their Naples home. Among their guests during that period were Gary Cooper, Hedy Lamarr and Robert Montgomery. The Collier County Historical Society purchased the property in 1979 for use as a permanent Headquarters. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
This house was built about 1895 by Walter N. Halderman, Owner/Publisher of the Louisville Courier-Journal, as a winter residence for his good friend and distinguished editor, Henry Watterson, who spent his winter working vacation here between 1900 and 1910. The building is constructed of tabbie mortar (made by burning local seashells) and is the only building so constructed remaining in South-west Florida. It is the second oldest existing residence in Naples and served as the residence of Walter O. Parmer from 1916 until his death in 1938. At that time it was called Palm Cottage. Between 1938 and 1944 it was the residence of two Canadians, George M. Hendrie and David S. Gillies, who renamed the Hamilton Ontario House. After their deaths it was purchased by Alexandra and Laurence Brown, who lived here until Alexandra died in 1978. The Browns entertained lavishly in their Naples home. Among their guests during that period were Gary Cooper, Hedy Lamarr and Robert Montgomery. The Collier County Historical Society purchased the property in 1979 for use as a permanent Headquarters. It was added to the National Register of Historic
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Places in 1982.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.
Location. 26° 7.94′ N, 81° 48.258′ W. Marker is in Naples, Florida, in Collier County. It can be reached from 12th Avenue South east of Gulf Shore Boulevard South, on the right when traveling west. Located on the north side of the cottage. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 137 12th Avenue S, Naples FL 34102, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It is also in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Terra Palma 1912 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line);
Photographed by Patrick Duggan, June 30, 2025
2. Palm Cottage Marker
Palm Cottage 1895 is part of the Naples Historic District
It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places
2. Palm Cottage (pdf file). National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on July 3, 2025.)
Photographed by Patrick Duggan, June 30, 2025
3. Palm Cottage
Photographed by Patrick Duggan, July 1, 2025
4. Palm Cottage Guest House Marker
Photographed by Patrick Duggan, July 1, 2025
5. Palm Cottage Guest House
Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2025, by Patrick Duggan of Los Angeles, California. This page has been viewed 118 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 2, 2025, by Patrick Duggan of Los Angeles, California. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
