The Batcher Family Do The Parade

In photo left to right Jodi Batcher, Ruth Batcher, Georgette Shepard, Virgil Batcher, lady handing trophy Grandma Batcher and Vickijo Batcher 1968-69 Swamp Buggy Queen. Photo taken in 1968 at Cambier Park.

Swamp Buggy Guys

Left to right: Paul Frank, Henry Espenlaub, Ed Frank & Roy W. Smith. History tells me the Frank brothers invented the swamp buggy. According to bogus Leonard Chesser #2 it was Tommy Burke from Kittle Pontiac so I'll let you decide. :) See bogus Leonard Chesser #2 video link here:
http://tinyurl.com/ykx46m6
Golf Course Homeboy brought me a T shirt with this image on it & I've seen this photo for years. So here it is one more time for posterity...
PS: Also Roy W. Smith was Naples longest serving mayor from 1946 to 1960.

Naples Depot

Naples Bay

More Naples Community Hospital

Naples Community Hospital

At 4th Avenue North between 7th & 8th Street North

Marco Residents Beach

Aubrey Rogers And Doug Hendry

Photo of the 1949 Fort Myers Police Department front row kneeling left is Aubrey Rogers front row kneeling right Doug Hendry.

River Park

The King Of The Swamps Retires Today!

Leonard turns in his alligator shoes!
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/mar/06/photos-swamp-buggies-leonard-chesser-godfather-bug/

The Original World Famous Mile O' Mud

In 1979 I walked into a TV/stereo store in Pasadena California. As I walked toward the TV section there was a large gathering of people huddled around a TV set. At 1st I thought it must be football as I got closer I could hear them talking. It went like this, what are those things & where is that at in the bayou's of Louisiana? I started laughing as I peeked over their shoulders it was the Swamp Buggy Races from Naples. I walked away smiling thinking about Naples & how wild & fun I remembered it being. It still cracks me up when I think about it...
PS: Also in the photo the stock car track with the motocross track dirt overlay.
Map link to former location.
http://tinyurl.com/ygntfy8
Photo taken February 2nd 1975