On Sunday, November 16 2025 our Conversation @ the Crocker at 2:00pm : Author James MacDougald will talk on Revisiting the Ponce de Leon and Narvaez Settlement Expeditions. He is working on an article that “provides evidence that the first European colony
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Since we just changed our clocks, I thought you’d like to read this excerpt from a Jeff LaHurd article plus additional info from the Observer newspapers on the Palmer Bank Clock.
Palmer Bank, standing proudly at Five Points in downtown Sarasota, was established in the Roaring 20s by Bertha Palmer’s sons, Honoré Palmer and Potter Palmer Jr., along with Prince Michael Cantacuzene (a Russian nobleman and husband of Bertha’s niece, Julia Dent Grant).
Its iconic cornerstone clock noted the time of day for generations.
(Ed. note: See, parking downtown
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The People and Places that made a Paradise, by local historian and member of the HSoSC Board Jeff LaHurd, is the newest addition to his remarkable series of Sarasota County historical references. This 17th book from LaHurd is a compilation of many of his articles that have appeared in newspapers and magazines which you might have missed.
He moved here as a young boy with his family, went
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That’s a quote we can all nod and smile at. It’s from Mark Twain, the literary legend and timeless humorist. Truly a historic figure for the ages and one from whom we can continually learn.
The Mark Twain Society has chosen Crocker Memorial Church for their performance venue this season, and HSoSC can’t be more pleased. There will be a series of lectures on Twain, a condensed autobiography of Mark Twain delivered by Twain interpreter Alan Kitty “in no particular order the way life happens,” and even a look at Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn in their dotage… in 1925 St. Pete!
The MT folks have also, most graciously, offered a free, private performance for our members on Saturday, .January 10 at 3:00 pm of A FORK IN THE ROAD, two monologues by Sarah Grigsby and Rhonda Liss, celebrating resilience. The only weapon against adversity is perseverance and laughter. Against these nothing can stand. For this special performance, you don’t need to buy tickets in advance. For all other performances, they have offered a discount to our members. See their full schedule here.
Ed. Note: Think Mr. Twain is not worth considering nowadays? May I leave you with this quote from him: “The government is merely a servant―merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn’t. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them.”
To this aerial photo of Sarasota in 1925, Rex has added some landmarks for us.
Rex writes: “I’ve posted a second version of the photo with my own annotations to help you appreciate the photo to its fullest extent. I’ve also highlighted a few
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… with all those cones and barricades pushing their orange and white shoulders at you, you might pause to wonder
No? Well, I did and thought you might like a story to mull over as you sit
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The weather’s perfect at this time of year (witness all the delighted tourists!) so let’s see some of our own state.
Explore the cultural, historical, and architectural treasures of the Sunshine State with Florida Stories, a walking tour app from the Florida Humanities Council. Whether you’ll actually listen as you walk or simply imagine the delights from the comfort of your chair, the phone app allows users to learn about the history of some of Florida’s most unique towns. Try a close-to-home venue such as Phillippi Estate Park or Bradenton/Old Manatee on foot, then hop in the car for a road trip to explore other places.
Oh, but wait: there are auto tours of our own county before you go. The Sarasota County Centennial 2021 created wonderful guides for areas of our county, including Bee Ridge and Vamo, and you can learn more here. If you’re a bit hazy on how to download an auto tour app to your phone and use it while driving, they’ve written a straightforward guide to that.
More of a nature child? Check out https://floridatrail.org/ As they say: “The Florida Trail Association (FTA) develops, maintains, protects, and promotes a network of hiking trails throughout the state. In the app, you can explore the Florida National Scenic Trail interactive map, get up-to-date trail notices and closures information, get news and volunteer event opportunities, and download the trail and base map data to use the app while offline.”
Or perhaps you’re a botanical gardens lover? Well, you’re in luck, you can split this tour in half, seeing as how our own Selby Gardens is right in the middle of this suggested itinerary!
On Sunday, November 24, at 3 p.m., a new Conversation at The Crocker will be presented.
Acclaimed lecturer and historian Liz Coursen
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Starbucks likes to claim ownership of the current “pumpkin spice” fad. Everything from pumpkin spice coffee to pumpkin spice dog snacks is declared in season for fall. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s such a thing as pumpkin spice pumpkin spray.
Of course, Floridians have been cooking up this autumn squash long before there was a Starbucks anywhere near our state.
Pumpkin spice is a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice. These spices could certainly jazz up the traditional Seminole Pumpkin Fry Bread, which is surprisingly easy to make. And it would make a surprising addition to your fall menu! Here’s the recipe:
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Looking for a way to orient yourself in the history of Sarasota County? Here’s an idea: go on a scavenger hunt of all the historical markers in Sarasota, Venice, Osprey, Englewood and Northport. We’ve found some resources for you.
One resource has not just the historical markers in this multi-county area, but also war memorials. You can check it out
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The nickname ‘Uncle Sam’ for the United States originated during the War of 1812 when a newspaper published the story of Samuel Wilson, a meat packer from Troy, New York, who marked beef barrels for the army with ‘U.S.’ Soldiers associated the initials with ‘Uncle Sam,’ and the term became a popular moniker for the federal government.
Most of us associate the image of Uncle Sam with posters encouraging Americans to help with the finances of World War I, or with recruitment posters: “Uncle Sam Wants YOU!” is practically a real-life meme.
The story of Samuel Wilson, a meatpacker, marking his
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Whoever gets elected this November, chances are high that Shangri-La will be visited by the President in 2025.
What’s that you say? Fun fact: What we now call Camp David, “the Presidential retreat”, was once a camp called Shangri-La.
Don’t we all wish for a home-away-from-home where we can relax and do our own thing?
Lincoln’s summer retreat was just 45 minutes from the White House… if you were
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The Historical Society of Sarasota County will host a concert performed by members of the Sarasota Earlye Musicke Consort, a group that performs music from Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque eras in the Crocker Memorial Church, located in Pioneer Park, at 1260 12th Street, on Tuesday, April 2 at 2:00 PM.
This musical group has been filling the church with their delightful music, every Tuesday during their rehearsals. The concert is free and open to the public. Donations are always greatly appreciated, of course.
The historical complex is on 12th Street, between N. Trail and Cocoanut Ave.
Back in 1903, there were things you just couldn’t do in Sarasota, lest you end up spending some time in the pokey. Pokey pictured here:
(And remember. No A/C. No mosquito abatement program. And, I don’t know for sure, but I’m guessing no cheerful jailer’s wife to bring you homemade meals either.)
Here’s the article, from our history peer Larry Kelleher, creator of Sarasotahistoryalive.com. We reproduce it here for your delight.
Presented by actor/real estate expert Tom Aposporos and organized
by the Historical Society of Sarasota County
A Conversation about architecture and historic homes in Sarasota that link to one of our most influential architects, Ralph Twitchell (1890-1978). Presenter Tom Aposporos charts the early career of Twitchell, who came to Sarasota in 1925 to manage the final stages of Ca d’Zan for Dwight Baum. Twitchell stayed to become architect and contractor of a collection of Mediterranean Revival homes, many of which remain preserved today as icons of a specific style.
Later in his career Twitchell became the bridge from Mediterranean Revival to the modern. When he hired the young Paul Rudolph, the collaboration embraced new materials, a new look and a new way of building with glass and reinforced concrete. Some say the culmination of Twitchell’s move to modernism reached its zenith with
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The Historical Society of Sarasota County 