Overtown

Sarasota Historic Preservation Board Denies Permit to Demolish Historic Hotel Built During Segregation

The 1926-built Colson Hotel in the Rosemary District has been spared for now.

04/10/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Black History Month

The Story of Jeffery Bolding, Sarasota's First Enslaved Man

A rediscovered photo sheds light—and darkness—on our history.

02/13/2023 By John McCarthy

Flashback

The Longboat Key Ritz-Carlton, 1926-1963

John Ringling's hotel broke ground in 1926 but was never finished or occupied, and was eventually demolished in 1963.

01/20/2023 By Bethany Ritz

Centennial Celebrations

County Sets Week of Celebrations to Mark the Sarasota Centennial

Several local partnerships will commemorate the occasion.

06/28/2021 By Staff

Centennial Celebrations

Sarasota Centennial App Adds New Auto Tours

The five unique tours offer turn-by-turn directions and expert historical narration.

04/19/2021 By Staff

100 Days for 100 Years

Sarasota County Marks Its Centennial This Year

On July 1, 1921, Sarasota County was officially formed. A Centennial initiative will kick off March 23.

03/06/2021 By Ilene Denton

Wish They Were Here

Six Sarasota Tourist Attractions From the Past

Let's take a look at these long-gone favorites and try to discover what they say about our town and its history.

03/06/2021 By Robert Plunket

Pop Quiz

Are You a Real Sarasotan?

Prove your insider chops with our quiz.

12/01/2020 By Ilene Denton and Kay Kipling

Weather Report

How Weather Shaped Our History

Pam Daniel and Robert Plunket consider the sunshine factor, hurricane havoc, fatal freezes—and more.

06/27/2018 By Pam Daniel and Robert Plunket

Sunshine Memories

Life Wasn't Easy for Sarasota's Early Pioneers

But tourists came here from almost the very beginning.

12/28/2016 Edited by Kay Kipling and Bob Plunket

Sarasota Magazine

Sarasota County Historical Resources