Journals of Yesteryear

The dedicated professional staff of the Sarasota County History Center has composed fascinating accounts of people, places and events from our county's remarkable past.

Florida History Alive! is very grateful to them for permitting us to display these narratives on our website. We, as a community are also indebted to them for all the research and patience it took to produce hundreds of these articles for your enjoyment and information. Florida History Alive! will continually add new stories and photos as they become available.

After you read a story in the Journals of Yesteryear, if you have questions, please note that an email address is attached to the header for easy access to the experts at the History Center. At the bottom of each story is a link for your convenience to send the article to a colleague, friend or family member.

The Friends of the History Center is a nonprofit organization that helps support the staff's ongoing efforts to preserve our county's heritage. Won't you please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to assist their efforts? Call the History Center @ (941) 861-6090 for details and further information. Or, stop by and see the enormous amount of materials they have preserved to help us all appreciate a sense of place and historical perspective in our community. They are located at 6062 Porter Way, Sarasota Florida, 34232


average vote = 4
'Paradise' Eluded the Early Settlers
Author: Ann A. Shank, former County Historian
average vote = 3
'Uncle Ben' Stickney's
Author: Ann A. Shank, former County Historian
 A Glance at Some of the Top News Stories in 1955
Author: Mark D. Smith, former County Archivist
 A History of Venice
Author: Venice Archives and Area Historical Collection
average vote = 4
A June Wedding
Author: Ann A. Shank, former County Historian
average vote = 5
A Showcase of Sarasota Architecture
Author: Elaine Rogers, former Preservation Assistant
average vote = 3
Abundant Fishing in Sarasota Bay
Author: Ann A. Shank, former County Historian
 Anti-Mosquito Program
Author: Ann A. Shank, former County Historian
 Appreciation of Mrs. Palmer
Author: Unknown
 As Others See Us
Author: Gilbert Leach
average vote = 4
Baseball Legend Ted Williams' Time in Sarasota
Author: Ann A. Shank, former County Historian
average vote = 5
Bee Biz a Sweet Deal for Mivilles
Author: Mark D. Smith, former County Archivist
average vote = 3
Bee Ridge Community
Author: Ann A. Shank, former County Historian
average vote = 5
Bee Ridge Turpentine Camp
Author: Ann A. Shank, former County Historian
average vote = 4
Bee Ridge's Tatum House
Author: Lorrie Muldowney, Historic Preservation Specialist
average vote = 4
Beloved Sarasota High School
Author: Public Records
average vote = 4
Bertha Palmer Adds Cowboy to her Estate
Author: Chicago Journal

Featured Journals

Leagues of Their Own

When Sarasota’s black children dreamed of playing professional baseball, before Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, their models were players in the state and national Negro leagues. The local teams were the Nine Devils and the Sarasota Tigers.

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Purple Cow

Readers of Sarasota History Alive:

My name is Lou Ann (Rosengarten) Palmer. I am of relatively sane mind and a very wrinkled body. Am 73, but feel 37. My former SHS American History student, Larry Kelleher (your editor), has asked me to share with you my personal memories of living in Sarasota for the past 62 years. I just want to warn you that my stories are purely my recollections and may not be totally accurate.  If anyone wants to challenge them, please feel free to do so. Let's get started!

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Steamer Arrives

With flags flying and met by several launches and pleasure boats, the new steamer arrived from Tampa at Higel’s dock Monday afternoon, where it was met by the citizens, welcomed by the Sarasota Brass Band and christened “The City of Sarasota” by Miss Esther Edmondson.

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