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
Featured Journals
Ninety-six years ago, Sarasota ceased to be an open town - open that is, to livestock roaming through town at will.
Read More »I am really thrilled to be asked to give a recording of my life history. Of course, what I have to tell is very interesting to me; I can’t see why it would be interesting to others. My life has been filled with thrills. I have had people tell me that life had no thrills. To me life without thrills would be very drab indeed.
Read More »The Chicago Journal has the following article on “Big Bill” Ferguson, who has taken charge of Mrs. Potter Palmer’s ranch along both sides of the Myakka River:
A cowboy chaperon has been called as Cerberus for the citrus groves and white-sanded beaches upon Mrs. Potter Palmer’s small southern kingdom at Osprey, Fla.
Read More »
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