See our very own attorney Craig Woodward in Venerable Marco Attorney, Historian Entertains With Firsthand History of Island, Coastal Breeze News, September 1, 2022. A nice crowd attended attorney-historian Craig Woodward’s talk at the library, part of Marco’s 25th Anniversary celebration.
“If you never had the opportunity to hear Craig Woodward speak about the history of Marco Island, make sure that you do. A crowd of around 50 people were hanging on his every word Thursday afternoon, August 25, as the longtime Marco Island attorney and historian presented a sweeping one-hour history at the Marco Island Library. Woodward’s presentation was part of the City of Marco Island 25th Anniversary Celebration.
It’s hard to say whether Woodward is more well-known on the island as an attorney or as an historian. Suffice to say he’s well respected as both. Woodward’s credibility is further enhanced by his firsthand knowledge of the island’s history, much of which he participated in. He moved to the island with his parents in 1968, nearly 30 years before it became a city in 1997.
Woodward starts off by telling of a developer from the mid-1920s going bankrupt in 1935 after selling only eight lots. He explains to the already enrapt audience that the famous Key Marco Cat was actually found in Old Marco, not at the modern-day Key Marco development, located next to Marco Island Academy.
Venerable Marco Attorney
Woodward poses a question to the audience, “Why did Marco Island go undeveloped from the 1920s until the 1960s?”
He cites a lack of access to the island.
“The access to the island in the pioneer times, the old Marco road, went through the future Isle of Capri,” Woodward tells the audience, with a power point presentation accompanying his words. “There was a ferry that crossed over the Marco River. That was the access to Marco. The ferry started in 1912. Before that you had to take a boat to get to Marco – there was no other option. It operated until 1938. It started as a one car carrier then it became a four-car ferry. The Atlantic Coastline Railroad crossed by where the Jolly Bridge is now. Those were the two means of access.”
Woodward said there were five miles of road on Marco Island in 1918.
“We had five miles of road on Marco and 15 cars,” Woodward deadpans. “What were they doing, going back and forth? I don’t know.”
About
Craig R. Woodward, Esq.
Craig Woodward has been Partner in charge of Woodward, Pires & Lombardo’s Marco Island, Florida office since 1986 and is now Senior Counsel. He joined his father, Arthur V. Woodward, Esq. originally in 1980.
Craig handles real estate law, zoning issues, estate planning, probate, business law, and local government law. He represents hotels, restaurants, time-share projects, contractors, marinas, land developers, homeowner associations, real estate companies, banks, and private individuals.
Craig has been Board Certified in Real Estate Law by The Florida Bar since 1993, having been the first Collier County attorney to receive this certification. He is rated AV Preeminent®, by Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™, the highest peer rating standard. This is given to attorneys who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards by their peers.
Craig is also Vice President of First Title & Abstract, Inc. and President of North Marco Utility Co., Inc. He was previously attorney for the Marco Island Independent Fire District (1991-1995).
Active in the community, Craig was the keynote speaker for Marco’s 50th Anniversary in 2015 and was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by Marco Island Chamber of Commerce, and “Keys to the City” by the City of Marco Island, Marco City Council, both in 2010.
About the Firm
For over 50 years, Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, P. A. has assisted individuals, families, businesses, associations, local governments and municipalities with an array of legal services including Litigation, Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Business Law, Family Law, Community Association Law, Land Use & Zoning, Securities, and Local Government Law. The law firm has two offices in Southwest Florida in Naples and Marco Island, having served clients since 1971 when attorney Arthur V. Woodward founded the first law firm on Marco Island. To learn more about WPL, call 239-649-6555 or visit www.wpl-legal.com.
Related post: Second Place Team from Woodward, Pires and Lombardo Golfers in Marco Island Rotary Charity Event