Historical Point of View

After learning the history of Sarasota County, I now want to share with you my perspective of interning in a historical building that was a part of the creation of the area.

For the past two summers I have worked for the Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. The building that I worked in used to be the old County Courthouse area along with the jail cell and corridors for the sheriff and his family.  

Working in a historical building was such an honor and experience.  The old court room is an image of something you would see in a television show, with some stain glass, dark wood, green leather chairs, and intricate wood carvings on the wall.  While I do not have any images to show you of this historical room, some couples who get married in it are very lucky to experience and be in a one-of-a-kind chamber.  

Photo Credit: Jennifer McElroy

 The outside of the building is still in the original form and design of when it was first built.  It is a three level story with dozens of office spaces and work areas.  While most of the internal parts of the building have been updated and modernized, some historical aspects of the original edifice have been preserved and maintained so visitors and employees can enjoy working in a special building.  I have enjoyed seeing and learning about the history of this building.  For living in Sarasota for most of my life, it has been an honor to intern somewhere that was a part of the beginnings of the establishment of Sarasota County.

Photo Credit: Jennifer McElroy

For couples or families traveling to Sarasota to get married, you can come apply for a marriage license here and even have your ceremony in the small marriage parlor inside the building.  For more information please visit their website.

History and Establishment of Sarasota County

Lets start at the very beginning as that is a good place to commence the origin of Sarasota County.

It is questionable as to how the name of the city was established, but one legend connects it with Sara, the daughter of the conquistador, DeSoto.  Others wonder if it originated with an Indian word, "sara-se-cota" which means landfall easily observed. The other myth is that there was a fishing camp and Indian trading post at the end of the Long Boat Key area named "Saraxota".

John Greene Webb

Indians roamed the lush area and were enticed by the wild fruits grown here and the game that they could  hunt.  After the Seminole War, Congress adopted the Armed occupation Act, stating that they would deed 160 acres of land and six months provisions to any person who would carry arms and protect the land for five years.  The first permanent white settler of Sarasota was William H. Whitaker, who acquired 144.81 acres of land in 1851.  In the mid 1860's, more settlers traveled to area and established orange groves and grazing land for cattle.  John Webb moved to Sarasota during this time and built the first manufacturing plant to refine sugar cane.  He also opened the first Winter Resort in southern Sarasota known as "Webb's Winter Resort on Little Sarasota Bay" which he largely advertised to Northerners.

The Swampland Act reduced the effectiveness of the Homestead Act, and there was a drastic halt in more settlers living in Sarasota.  The Florida Mortgage and Investment Company of Edinburgh selected Sarasota as its key point for development and purchased 60,000 acres.  In 1885, John W. Gillespie arrived and brought his company, Florida Mortgage and Investment Co., Ltd., to revive the city by establishing steamboat and railroad connections,  Mr. Gillespie also built the DeSoto Hotel and perhaps the first golf course in the United States.

The DeSoto Hotel

The fishing industry began to flourish, and due to the connections in Tampa (just an hour north of Sarasota) during the Spanish-American War, cattlemen were herding to the area to supply meat for the soldiers.

Sarasota became a town on October 14, 1902, and Mr. Gillespie served as its first mayor.  John and Charles Ringling, of the famous circle family, invested a large Sarasota property in order to bring their family's entertainment business to the area to attract even more tourists.  Sarasota was incorporated as a city on May 13, 1913.  While the city experienced struggles during the Great Depression, it flourished in tourism during the 1960's and later in the 1980's and 1990's.  Now Sarasota is one of the most thriving counties and cities in the state because of the beauty of the environment and the thriving tourist attractions offered for the entire family.

Photo Credit: Jennifer McElroy

Source: History of Sarasota

Up next will be my experiences with working in one of the historic buildings of Sarasota County.

Thank you!

J.M.

All About the Area

Sarasota is more than just a town where senior citizens retire and slow down.  It is an exciting city filled beach life, outdoor activities, art and performing events and shows, night life, and delicious cuisine offered at unique restaurants.  While all of those topics will be posted about later in detail, here are just a few facts about the basic aspects of Sarasota County that makes it a special place to be visiting.

• The average air temperature year round is 72.6 degrees Fahrenheit
• There are 35 miles of soft, white sand, and 13 public beaches to bury your toes into the warm sand

Siesta Key Beach

• There are 1,000 public, semi-private, and private golf courses in the area to score that hole-in-one while enjoying the nice weather outside
• 42.58% of the county area is water, so outdoor activities on a boat is a must
• The Myakka River offers 58 miles of water based hobbies such as fishing, kayaking, and canoeing

Myakka River State Park

 

• According to the United States Census Bureau in 2014, the population in this county is 396,962 people
• This area has been ranked by Money Magazine as the best small city in the United States

Do these facts already interest you to come to Sarasota for a future vacation?  Well stay tuned for more information about this relaxing, fun, and one of a kind west Florida town.

Source: Fun Facts About Sunny Sarasota