Back then, Sarasota was a place of hunting and survival. Indigeneous Tribes were the first in Sarasota, hunting game for food, and trying to survive harsh weather, predators, foreign tribes invading, etc.
After Florida was ceded to the United States of America in 1819, the Army created Fort Armistead along the Sarasota bay. Although later Abandoned, it wouldn't displace Native Americans. Because of the Indian Removal Act in 1830, most Native Americans were forcably deported by the U.S Military and was forced to walk through the "Trail of Tears". These natives would end up either more southern, in Oklahoma, or dead. Trail of Tears
The first settler of European descent was a man by the name of William H. Whitaker. He was given 144.82 acres of land on September 1st, 1851. The Whitaker Bayou was then named after him. William H. Whitaker
This year marks the beginning of Sarasota's "Discovery Boom", in which foreigners from different countries and states settled in Sarasota. List of Sarasota Settlers
The Florida Mortgage & Investment Co., Ltd was one of the companies that would attempt on selling acres of land to foreigners and colonizers, partnering with Tampa for steamships in the process.
The first newspaper and telephone service was established in the area by Gillespie. Sarasota Times Building
Mrs. Bertha Honore Palmer bought roughly 80,000 to 90,000 acres of land in the Sarasota region, becoming the largest landowner in that specific region of Sarasota. She established a cattle ranch, eventually helping with the town's growth and played a key role on Sarasota's evolution through the years. Article about the Palmers
Sarasota was finally incorporated as a city after the Ringlings had managed to help in the growth of the population. 1913 map
Due to the Great Depression, many building projects in the City of Sarasota were left unfinished. Sarasota during the Great Depression
A historic Italian Theater was purchased by the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art for around $8,000, or roughly $108,000 in today's money. Picture of the Asolo Theater
between the 1970's to the 80's and 90's, Sarasota had seen a decline in city growth. Although the era of recession ended in the 1980's, Sarasota soon saw a decline in city growth again in 2008, causing the economy to crash. But overall, Sarasota managed to pull things together and there era of recession is over.
Hernando de Soto, a Spanish Conquistador, landed in Florida and had arrived in the place where South Tampa would've been. Hernano called the land "Zarasota", being from a combination of Arabic and Spanish words meaning "Radiance of Soto"Read the legend of Sara de Soto
The city of Sarasota, discovered by Hernando de Soto about 300 years prior, was first introducted and mentioned on a map.1839 Map
John Webb, another foreigner that moved to Sarasota, opened the first Manufacturing Plant. The main purpose of the plant was to produce syrup and refine sugars. Although situated in Spanish Point, Sarasota, federal regulations ordered that he change his word for postal designations. As a result, he named it Osprey. Depiction of a late 19th Century Factory in Florida
Sarasota began to develop more and more as settlers who were just supposed to visit the area, ended up making final decisions to stay in the Sarasota Area. The Swampland Act however would soon change that, as 700,000 acres of land were sold amongst wealthy land speculators. These people would later sell the lands that they owned to individuals wanting to live in Sarasota.Read The Scottish "Ormiston Colony"
The Spanish-American War broke out and managed to help with the colony's growth, with interests growing overtime as Sarasota sent aid and supplies to American Troops situated in Floridan Fortresses fighting in Spanish-owned Cuba. Sarasota during the war
Sarasota was incorporated as a town, and the Seaboard railway from Tampa extended their lines all the way to Sarasota. 1902 map
The Ringlings visited Sarasota and stayed at the home of Charles N. Thompson. The Ringlings bought some land from Thompson, and eventually, the rest of the Ringlings proceeded to do the same. Read John Ringling, Circus Baron
Three new counties were made inside of Manatee and Sarasota Counties after the area grew rapidly due to Palmer and the Ringlings.
Ruth Cotton Butler founded the Sarasota Orchestra. Official Sarasota Orchestra Website
A performing arts hall was built by the Van Wezels on the Sarasota Bay Front. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Today, Sarasota is seen as not only a large, strong city, but as a city of beauty, history, art, and nature. Its history today shows how Sarasota started out as a simple town to one of the biggest, most culturistic and artistic city in all of the State of Florida.