Library Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Land of Sarasota A Settlement in the Wilderness |
Summary |
This pamphlet sets forth the story of Sarasota, Florida in a simple, yet interesting fashion. It was written for the school children of Sarasota County. The history of the immediate area of Sarasota begins with the land itself, for that is about the only trace we have of any former residents. Often evidence of man's earliest activities is submerged beneath the waters of the Gulf or in a deep spring. The native people were believed to be hunters and fishers By the beginning of the 18th century, Florida had almost no native Indians. The Seminole Indians, originally from Georgia moved south into Florida and claimed the area as theirs. In 1842 the Armed Occupation Act opened up many new land areas for pioneer development. This act provided 160 acres of land to any settler who, 1. was the head of a family or 18 years old, 2. could bear arms, 3. would build a home, 4. would live on the land for at least five years. William Whitaker became Sarasota's first permanent settler. He staked a claim under the the Armed Occupation Act. He chose an elevated parcel of land overlooking the bay and called it "Yellow Bluffs." South of Sarasota a Georgia cattleman, Jesse Knight, established a homestead in what is now Nokomis, in 1868. John Webb moved down in 1867 and claimed a homestead at "Spanish Point," in what is now Osprey. Isaac Redd chose an area farther east in 1867. The abundance of bees furnished honey for all who came here. By 1877 the Bee Ridge Post Office was established. Charles Reeves settled in 1876 and used his own money to build a school and a road. Because of the abundance of fruit in this area, he called it Fruitville. History is further traced from Sarasota becoming incorporated in 1902, to the Ringlings chosing Sarasota for their circus winter quarters, the Great Depression of 1929, and of course, the outbreak of World War II. There is also a section on Sarasota today. |
Object Name |
Book |
Published Date |
1986 |
Physical Description |
6 x 9 1/2 Softbound 34 p. |
Catalog Number |
2008.01.31 |
Year Range from |
1985 |
Year Range to |
1986 |
Number of images |
1 |
Call# |
975.961 LAN |