Southwest Florida’s history is often celebrated for its natural beauty and pioneering spirit, but a fascinating, lesser-known story involves its brief pineapple industry.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, before citrus became king, parts of the region, especially around Marco Island and Bonita Springs, had thriving pineapple plantations.
Entrepreneurs imported techniques and varieties, finding success in the sandy soils and warm climate. However, a combination of devastating freezes, plant diseases and increased competition from cheaper imports (particularly after Henry Flagler’s railroad extended to Key West, bringing in Cuban pineapples) led to the decline of this once-promising agricultural venture.
– Staff report with AI assist*
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