no names - just protection

[Leptraps at aol.com]

The area Ron is referring to was known as the Squares. A large area west of 
the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve in Collier County. The original name 
given by the developer was Golden Gate Everglades Estates (The is a nearby 
community that has since taken the name "Golden Gate," located at Exit 15 on 
I-75, or the beginning of the toll road known as Alligator Alley). The 
developer sold you a 15 acre plot. You were to build your home on 5 acres, as 
the area developed, and land values rose, you would sell off the remainder of 
you lot in 2.5 acres lots and payoff the original purchase. The developer dug 
the flood control canals, laid the roads, sold 200+ lots. The problem was the 
utilities. Neither Florida Power Corp. nor Florida Power & Light had a 
substation or transmission lines within 20 miles and wanted the developer to 
pay a deposit for the cost of construction to bring the power to the area. A 
common practice at the time. Once the area became developed and the Utility 
was earning revenue, the Utility would refund the deposit. I am sure the 
deposit was considerable, the developer never made a deal with the utility, 
and abandoned the (walked away) project. The legal wrangling went on for 
decades. Today there are approximately 40 residence who live in the squares. 
They have been paying taxes and successfully litigated the bridge over 
Alligator Alley on Everglades Blvd. during the construction project that made 
Alligator Alley part of the interstate system.

I have collect a great deal in this area. I operated lights at night, never 
alone and always armed. From late August to early November, depending on the 
rains, the area is a Mecca for Lepidoptera. 

This information is several years old, I also heard that the state was 
attempting to gain control of the area. I do not know the current status.

I do not know why I am telling you this, I guess it is because I liked the 
area and enjoyed collecting and exploring it. I met some true characters 
(residence), saw whacky tobacco growing, a nudist camp and my all time 
favorite, a group waiting for an alien space ship to take them home. I did 
not fear the area, I did however, respect it. The late Jack Heinrich of Alva, 
Florida and I spent many a great day collecting the squares with incident.

If anybody has an update, let me know.

Cheers,

Leroy C. Koehn
202 Redding Road
Georgetown, KY  40324
Tele.: 502-570-9123
Cell: 502-803-5422
E-mail: Leptraps at aol.com

"Let's get among em"

p/s: Formerly of Florida and wishing I was there. It is 2 degrees this 
morning here in Georgetown, Kentucky.

 
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