National Register Listings in
Sarasota County, Florida

American National Bank Building Appleby Building Armada Road Multi-Family District Armistead, William Martin, House Bacheller-Brewer Model Home Estate Bacon and Tomlin, Inc. Bay Haven School Bee Ridge Woman's Club Binz, Frank and Matilda, House Bispham-Wilson Historic District Blackburn Point Bridge Blalock House Bryson-Crane House Burns Court Historic District Burns Realty Company-Karl Bickel House Burns, William J., House Burrows, Waters and Elsa, Historic District Caples'-Ringlings' Estates Historic District Casa Del Mar Central-Cocoanut Historic District Chidsey Library City Waterworks Corrigan House Crisp Building DeCanizares, F.A., House DeMarcay Hotel Downtown Sarasota Historic District Downtown Sarasota Historic District Boundary Decrease Eagle Point Historic District Earle House Edgewood Historic District Edwards Theatre El Patio Apartments El Vernona Apartments-Broadway Apartments El Vernona Hotel-John Ringling Hotel Field Estate Frances-Carlton Apartments Halton, Dr. Joseph, House Harding Circle Historic District Hermitage-Whitney Historic District Hotel Venice House at 507 Jackson Drive House at 710 Armada Road South John Nolen Plan of Venice Historic District Johnson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Johnson-Schoolcrafy Building Keith, Edson, Estate Kennedy, Dr. Walter, House Kress, S.H., Building Laurel Park Historic District Leech, Hilton, House and Amagansett Art School Leigh, Charles E., House Lemon Bay Woman's Club Levillain-Letton House Little Salt Springs Maine Colony Historic District Miakka School House Municipal Auditorium-Recreation Club Nielsen, Lucienne, House Nokomis Beach Pavilion Osprey School Out of Door School Overtown Historic District Payne, Christy, Mansion Purdy, Capt. W. F., House Reagin, L.D., House Reid, Leonard, House Revere Quality Institute House Rigby's La Plaza Historic District Rosemary Cemetery Roth Cigar Factory Rudolph, Paul, Sarasota High School Addition Sanderling Beach Club Sarasota County Chamber of Commerce Building Sarasota County Courthouse Sarasota Herald Building Sarasota High School Sarasota Times Building Sarasota Woman's Club Schueler, George, House Scott Commercial Building South Side School Southwick-Harmon House Thoms House Triangle Inn U.S. Post Office-Federal Building Umbrella House Valencia Hotel and Arcade Venezia Park Historic District Venice Depot Warm Mineral Springs Warm Mineral Springs Building Complex Warm Mineral Springs Motel Whitfield, J. G., Estate William, H.B., House Wilson, Dr. C. B., House Worth's Block
The first European to explore Florida was actually a Spanish sailor named Juan Ponce de León in 1513, not the more well-known Christopher Columbus.
Florida random facts
Sarasota County, located on the southwestern coast of Florida, has a rich history that spans thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by indigenous people, including the Calusa and Timucua tribes. These tribes thrived on the abundant natural resources of the region, including fish, shellfish, and other wildlife.

In the early 16th century, Spanish explorers arrived in the area, led by Juan Ponce de León. They claimed the land for Spain, but did not establish any permanent settlements. It was not until the 19th century, during the period of American westward expansion, that pioneers began to settle in the region. The first pioneer, William Whitaker, arrived in 1842, and other settlers followed in the subsequent years.

The region's growth was significantly boosted with the arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century. The Florida Mortgage and Investment Company, led by Bertha Palmer, purchased a large portion of land in the area, promoting the development of the city of Sarasota. The area quickly established itself as a popular destination for tourism and winter residences for wealthy Americans.

In the years that followed, Sarasota County continued to grow and evolve. It experienced a real estate boom in the 1920s, which was followed by the devastating effects of the Great Depression. However, the area gradually recovered and emerged as a major cultural and economic hub. Today, Sarasota County is known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant arts scene, and thriving tourism industry, which continues to contribute to its growth and prosperity.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Sarasota County, Florida.

  • 1842 - The United States Army establishes a fort in present-day Sarasota County, known as Fort Armistead.
  • 1855 - The first permanent settler, William Whitaker, establishes a homestead in the area.
  • 1867 - The 14th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln's son, Robert Todd Lincoln, purchases land in present-day Sarasota County.
  • 1878 - The town of Sarasota is established, named after the Sarasota Bay.
  • 1885 - The Florida Mortgage and Investment Company purchases land in Sarasota and initiates development in the area.
  • 1913 - Sarasota County is created from portions of Manatee County, with the town of Sarasota as its county seat.
  • 1921 - John and Charles Ringling of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus purchase land in Sarasota and develop the area, attracting tourism and establishing a winter quarters for the circus.
  • 1967 - Construction of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is completed, showcasing the Ringling family's art collection and becoming a cultural landmark in the county.
  • 1991 - The Great Recession impacts Sarasota County, causing an economic downturn and a decline in the real estate market.
  • 2017 - Sarasota County celebrates its centennial anniversary.