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History of Sarasota, Florida, USA

Journey back in time to Sarasota, Florida, USA

Visit Sarasota, Florida, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and genealogy.

     

Where is Sarasota, Florida, USA?

• After the 1819 acquisition of Florida as a territory by the United States and five years before it became a state in 1845, the army established Fort Armistead in Sarasota along the bay.
  
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• European settlers arrived in significant numbers in the late 1840s. The area already had a Spanish name, Zara Zote, on maps dating back to the early eighteenth century, and it was retained as Sara Sota.
  
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• In 1885 a Scots colony was established in Sarasota which was portrayed as a tropical paradise that had been built into a thriving town.
  
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• 1895 - Sarasota
  Sarasota, sā-rá-so'tà, a post-hamlet of Manatee co, Fla., on the Gulf of Mexico, 110 miles S. of Cedar Keys. It has a church.
  Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
  
  
• The village of Sarasota was incorporated for local government as a town under state guidelines in 1902 with John Hamilton Gillespie as mayor.
  
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• 1906
  Sarasota, a post-village and resort of Manatee co., Fla., on Sarasota Bay, 110 miles S. of Cedar Keys. It is an important fishing station. Pop. 100.
  Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906
  
  
• Sarasota was incorporated as a city in 1913, with A. B. Edwards as mayor.
  
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  The Catch of Real Sports - not Commercial Fishermen
  Postcard
  
• Ringling Brothers Circus established its winter home in Sarasota during 1919.
  
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  Mira Mar Hotel
  Postcard
  
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  The Charles Ringling Residence
  Postcard
  
• (Sarasota) - In 1925, A. B. Edwards built a theater that could be adapted for either vaudeville performances or movie screenings.
  
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  The John and Mable Ringling Art Museum
  Postcard
  
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  First Presbyterian Church
  Postcard
  
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  Lido Beach Pool and Casino, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico
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  Lukewood Tropical Scene in Lukewood Park
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  Main Street looking East, Sarasota, Florida
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  Sunshine Springs and Gardens
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  The Smack Drive In
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  Beach Scene, Lido Beach, 1934
  Postcard
  
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  Fountain and Municipal Auditorium
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  Sarasota Kennel Club
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  Sarasota Court House, 1938
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  Coconut Palms and White Sand at Lido Beach Casino
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  Baseball Spring Training
  Boston Red Sox in Action
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  Tropical Point Motel
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•  1942 - EIGHT ARMY MEN DEAD IN CRASH OF THEIR PLANE.
  Sarasota, Fla., June 12. - (AP) - Eight army fliers were killed and two injured early today when a four-engined bomber crashed into Sarasota...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  St. Martha's Catholic Church
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  Tourist Camp and Red Soc Training Quarters
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  Main Entrance, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Winter Quarters, 1947
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  Court Supreme
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  Circus Hall of Fame
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  The Hopewell House
  367 West 8th Street
  Sarasota, Fla.
  Postcard
  
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  Plaza Spanish Restaurant
  Postcard