SARASOTA: HISTORY, PEOPLE, PLACES TO GO
Sarasota Florida, which was once called “Zarazote” by Spanish travelers who mapped the area, has a history that goes back much further than American colonial movements. The area that’s known as Sarasota today has an ancient history that goes back beyond 15,000 years ago, when ancient hunter gatherer societies inhabited the area. More recently though, Sarasota has a long and detailed history of families and individuals who’ve made the town what it is today.
In prehistoric times, the shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico extended much farther west, upwards of 100 miles. Ancient peoples who lived in Sarasota hunted and fished in the bodies of water within this extended coastal land, as evidenced by shells and fish bones discovered by researchers thought to be over 10,000 years old. Later groups that have been documented to have settled in Sarasota after the sea levels rose to roughly current levels, include the Manasota culture. These people were prominent in the area until around 900, when they were replaced by the Safety Harbor culture which evolved from the Manasota.
Although Spanish interaction with the Sarasota area dates back to years prior, large numbers of European people didn’t begin settling in the area until the middle of the 19th century. Several families of pioneers in the area are well documented and had influence over the development of the land.
A major example of a pioneer family that influenced the development of Sarasota is the Webb family. They worked in agriculture, and created farms for sugar cane, citrus and other crops. Later, they built produce packing facilities and even dormitories. The dormitories are what later became the White Cottage, and was the first tourist resort to be built in the area.
Owen Burns once owned the most land in Sarasota, and developed many parts of the town that still exist to this day. His efforts greatly accelerated the town’s growth, with the construction of bridges, landmarks, tourist attractions, and numerous other institutions that facilitated growth in the area. He later lost many of his assets upon the economic turmoil which occurred in Florida through the 1920‘s, after a failed partnership with John Ringling.
Bertha Palmer bought and maintained land from the Webb family. Palmer is famous in Sarasota for holding the largest amount of land in the area, after Burns was forced to sell his assets. Through the 20th century, Palmer purchased a massive amount of assets, which included 90,000 acres of land. She grew the agricultural prospects of Sarasota through developing new techniques for farming and raising cattle. She also built resorts that flourished after WWI and later WWII, which attracted affluent individuals looking to escape ravaged European countries.
Interesting Places in Sarasota
Sarasota Florida is an exciting town of over 58,000 residents and home to more than 7 Florida Keys. It saw major developments in the early 20th century pushed by heavy speculation from the time, and although that bubble burst in the 1920‘s, Sarasota has gone on to become a famously beautiful and artistic city on the west Florida coast. If you want to get to know Sarasota, here’s just a handful of places and famous attractions that reside there today.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
A popular attraction with tourists and locals alike, the Sarasota Jungle Gardens is a zoo and botanical garden that features a variety of interesting tropical plants and animals. Among the wide variety of mammals, reptiles and parrots to see there, the zoo is particularly well liked for it’s free roaming flamingos. Visitors to the park are free to feed and interact with the birds, which makes the spot a popular choice for fans of the unusual bird. They also feature a wide variety of exotic plants, which are both locals to Florida and non-local, including examples such as a bunya-bunya tree, royal palms and Peruvian apple cactus. You can visit this zoo most days of the week after paying an admission fee.
Sarasota Classic Car Museum
Fans of vintage cars from across the globe can find something exciting about the Sarasota Classic Car Museum. This family-friendly exhibit features a decent and interesting variety of classic cars that range in age from vintage muscle-cars to examples that are closer to 100 years old! Visitors have said in reviews that they learned a lot from the museum, and that the tour guides are especially kind and helpful. Although some people think the admission fee of about $15 is a little on the expensive end, kids can visit for free, which makes this location a great stop for families with children.
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
The Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is a non-profit research facility and public aquarium that features a broad variety of aquatic life. While the laboratory aims to make advances in marine science and marine conservation, the aquarium is a popular destination for people in the area, largely for being a very educational exhibit. From jelly-fish, to otters and manatees, there’s an excellent variety of marine life to observe here. Reviews also state the museum staff is very polite and helpful.
Ca’ d’Zan
Ca’ d’Zan is the former home of John Ringling and his wife Mable Ringling who were historically influential in the development of Sarasota during the early 20th century. The home is now an art museum that’s open to the public and can be visited for a fee. Visitors are allowed to tour the entire estate, both inside and out. They can also enjoy taking in the sights of the grandiose building inspired by the design of a Venetian Palazzo, and observe displays held inside, detailing the history of the Ringling circus. The estate is so large and intricate, many visitors can spend a whole day exploring it.