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.
We’re thrilled to partner with our historic peers, the Friends of the History Center, to present two special programs this season.
How Florida Got Its Shape – Of the fifty states, Florida has one of the most distinctive and widely recognized shapes. But how did that familiar shape come to exist? Obviously the state’s 1,350-mile coastline defines the majority of it, but what about its borders to the north and west? It might surprise you to learn that “Florida” has at various times stretched as far north as present-day Virginia and as far west as the Mississippi River. The current shape of Florida was settled during a fascinating era before the region was a U.S. state. In those days, Florida was actually an international borderland. Join the staff of the Sarasota County History Center for a brief journey into that era–illustrated with maps and records explaining exactly how and why Florida acquired its well-known shape.
The Tamiami Trail and the Development of Florida’s Gulf Coast in the 1920s – The 275-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 41 between Tampa and Miami is called the Tamiami Trail. To the casual observer it looks like every other major highway in the area, but this strip of pavement played a big role in the development of Florida’s Gulf coast. Because of its route through the Everglades, it was in many ways an engineering marvel of its time, and it even resulted in the creation of a new county! Join the staff of the Sarasota County History Center for a closer look at the fascinating history of this iconic scenic Florida byway and its impact on the Gulf coast.
An HSoSC Extra Presentation Wednesday, October 25, at 12 Noon
Such was the reputation of the Sara Sota Vigilante Commitee, or, as the New York Times dubbed them, the Assassination Society. And just think: they planned the murder of the postmaster, Charles Abbe, in the parlor of the Bidwell-Wood House!
Intrigued? There was more than one murder done the the Sarasota Region in the mid 1880s. In fact, up in the civilized towns of Manatee and Bradentown, Sara Sota was known to be full of lawless types.
Learn more from our guest, Krystin Miner, Supervisor of Manatee Village Historical Park. It’s a presentation of “disastrous proportions” and definitely, not to be missed!
Join us on Wednesday, October 25, at 12 Noon in the Crocker Memorial Church for Murder & Mayhem in Manatee: the Sarasota Vigilantes during the 1880s, presented by Manatee Village Historical Park. This event is free with a suggested donation to MVHP of $5.
[Updated 3-30-24: See the latest email from the Alliance here. ]This post is inspired by the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation, who are urging you to contact your city officials to make your opinion known on the McAlpin House.
You may not know the role of Mr. McAlpin in Sarasota history. Chances are, you don’t drive down Cross Street (it stretches all the way from Pineapple to Osprey and is the 5th exit from a roundabout, easily missed), nor know about rusticated stonework. You may not be a city resident, or you may feel the tug of property rights. Perhaps a 1700-square-foot old house-turned-office surrounded by parking lots isn’t your idea of “history”.
But if you long to see a smidgen of our “pioneer” past remain, visit the SAHP website.
It’s Museums on Us weekend! August 5th and 6th 2023!
Bank of America offers their cardholders free general admission during the first full weekend of every month to
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Trying to sum up Carl Abbott, the Historical Society of Sarasta County’s 2023 Hero of History, is like trying to freeze, in one moment, the earth and sea, sky and clouds. We cannot possibly say anything about the man and his work that has not
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A member of the host club came up and said “My mother painted
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The best kind of history? First-hand from people who lived it. You get a feeling for the times, see events through borrowed eyes, and have the opportunity to experience what life back then was like for those who lived through it. And the interviewers, who took the time and effort to create a slide show with photographs and other memorabilia, made these oral histories entertaining and enlightening. Enjoy
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Love local history? Get into it up to your elbows, suggests Marsha Fottler, President of the Historical Society.
When important documents and artifacts are donated to the Historical Society of Sarasota County, we bring them to the History Center, where professionals can conserve and store them. Why? Because we do not have the proper security, climate control, or storage space to professionally archive these heritage things. At the History Center many items are digitalized and all are categorized and preserved in a way that the public can have access to them for personal or academic research. Many members of the Historical Society enjoy volunteering at the History Center and click here for some areas that could have appeal. Volunteering at the History Center is a way of learning more about the history of Sarasota County and you’ll meet new friends who feel the same way.
Marsha Fottler, President HSOSC
Yes, we do have a Florida dog.
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Harriet Burns Stieff
Harriet Burns Stieff, 99, the youngest daughter of
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No, the Historical Society of Sarasota County isn’t offering a tankful of gas (goodness knows we don’t have the wherewithal to gift you with that!) but we’re talking about
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We’re very excited to be joining forces with Historical Resources and Archives, commonly called The History Center, to offer our county an easy way to donate ephemera that you may have lying around, and never dreamed anyone would value it.
Ephemera! Stuff published once, meant for the moment… only now YOU
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Book yourself into some nature walks with knowledgable guides from UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. They provide “practical education you can trust, to help people, businesses and communities solve problems, develop skills and build a better future. This service is a partnership between the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Sarasota County.”
Note that the tours pause in summer and begin again the fall. Yup. It’s too dang hot to be out in the sun in the summer. There’s a history lesson right there.
We are still holding Sparkly Saturday on Sat. Feb. 12, which is both indoors in well-ventilated space and outdoors on our Porch,
and our traditional Historical Sarasota Bay Cruise on March 6 (spots filling up since we’re limiting numbers; get your reservations in NOW by calling Linda M-F 10 to 2 at 941-364-9076 or emailing hsosc1@gmail.com)…
The Keith Mansion in Phillippi Estate Park at 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, was built by a Chicago couple in 1916. The Mansion itself is amazing, and in the classic living room they are presenting Lost Towns of Sarasota County with Kate Holmes, an HSoSC past Board member. This is not an HSoSC event, but it is sponsored by our peers and supporters, a not-for-profit formed to raise money to help fund a future local history venue in the neighboring the Edson Keith Farmhouse (1915).
The Historical Society of Sarasota County 