Naples Depot Museum, Naples

The Naples Depot Museum offers a journey back to the railroading boom of the Roaring Twenties when Naples was a small village on the brink of transformation. Housed in the restored Seaboard Air Line Railway passenger station, this museum is a window into the history of transportation in Southwest Florida and how it shaped the region’s development.

The museum’s exhibits highlight the ingenuity and resilience of early Floridians in overcoming the challenges of a seemingly impenetrable frontier. Visitors can explore Seminole dugout canoes, a mule wagon, an antique swamp buggy, and restored railroad cars, all of which illustrate how trade and travel played a crucial role in Naples’ evolution from a sleepy community of 300 residents into the modern Gulf Coast resort it is today.

Designated on the National Register of Historic Places, the museum features meticulously preserved artifacts, including an original 1928 railroad depot, a 1947 club car, a 1920s baggage car, and an early 1900s caboose. Interactive exhibits make history come alive, offering an engaging experience for visitors of all ages. The Naples Train Museum, located behind the depot, operates separately and features a large collection of working model trains, complete with a miniature train ride for children on most weekends.

Managed as a non-profit educational institution under the Collier County Government, the Naples Depot Museum is conveniently located in downtown Naples, just a short walk from 5th Avenue South. With free admission, it serves as an accessible and enriching destination for history enthusiasts, families, and anyone curious about the pivotal role of transportation in shaping Florida’s southwest coast.