The Mira Mar Hotel Offered a 'Sea-View'

In the early 1920s Sarasota was a city on the verge of the great Florida Land Boom. Real estate prices were beginning to inch up and there was excitement in the air that something big was about to happen. Sarasota wanted to become known as "The Vacation Destination of Florida," but lacked proper accommodations. The biggest and best hotel in Sarasota was the Belle Haven Inn, built in 1887, and already more than 30 years old. Sarasota City officials and the Chamber of Commerce came to the conclusion that a new first rate hotel was needed. In 1922, the concept of the hotel came in the form of Chicago industrialist Andrew McAnsh.

Andrew McAnsh was induced to come to Sarasota by W.C. Towles, who had wintered in Sarasota for several years. Towles realized that the city needed a new hotel to replace the Belle Haven Inn. According to Karl Grismer's The Story of Sarasota, Towles persuaded McAnsh that Sarasota would be a good investment. "You Scotsmen put Sarasota on the map - now it is time for you to give it a first-rate hotel, "Towles said to McAnsh, "And, besides, you can make some real money in Sarasota. The people will do almost anything to get a real hotel built." Taking note of the potential investment opportunity, McAnsh returned to Chicago to form the Mira Mar (meaning "sea view") Corporation, and set his plans in motion.

McAnsh came to Sarasota to meet with city officials in 1922 and discussed plans of not only a hotel, but apartments and a natatorium (indoor swimming pool). Read more...

(photo credit: Sarasota County History Center)

Yesterday's Sarasota Calendar

Every day of the year we highlight what took place in Sarasota's history, thanks to Whit Rylee and Tom Payne's extensive research and sense of humor. Frequently check our website's homepage to find out what occured today.

For example, on Saturday in 1884, Charles Abbe, Sara Sota Postmaster, was murdered by the Sara Sota Vigilance Committee as he gathered kelp along the bay. His body was towed several miles into the Gulf of Mexico and dumped. Within a week, nineteen vigilantes were arrested. Eventually, twenty members were indicted by the grand jury. Although several were found guilty, and three were sentenced to hang, none served more than a few years.

(Editor's note: This assaination and trial made national headlines during that time period. Pretty gruesome stuff. Bidwell's house (now known as the Bidwell-Wood House), where the vigilantes met to plot Abbe's murder, is located at 1260 12th Street, and will soon be open for tours.)

(photo credit: Sarasota County History Center)

History Locator

You know how it is when you are driving 40 mph and spot one of those green historical markers - you can't read them, and there is no parking to boot! Now, Sarasota History Alive! is going to spotlight them for you in our weekly e-Newsletters so you will finally know what they say.

This week we are honoring the Indian Beach marker just in front of and to the south of Sarasota Jungle Gardens.

5,000 years ago, prehistoric Indians seasonally came to these shore, drawn by freshwater springs, bays teeming with fish and shellfish, and woods rich with game. By 1000 A.D. their middens, ceremonial mounds, and a village plaza stood nearby. European diseases and war eventually decimated these Floridians. Centuries later Seminoles and Spanish fishermen worked at ranchos or fish camps often built on old Indian sites. The rancho industry supplied mullet, roe, and other seafood to Cuban markets. One rancho near here became the site of Fort Armistead (1840-1841), a Second Seminole War post. Read more....

History in the News

This Sunday, we will be 123 years young! The Scots, 65 in all from Glascow, Scotland, landed at the foot of Main Street to first colonize Sarasota. The sandstone pillar pictured here was a gift from Glascow back in 1985 when we turned 100 years old. It stands in front of Patrick's Restaurant.

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The Historical Society of Sarasota County learned great news on December the 17th. Arnold Berns, President of the Society reported that they received their Certificate of Occupancy for the Bidwell-Wood House and Crocker Church, in Pioneer Park, from the City of Sarasota.

Both of the buildings are located at 1260 12th Street, and will soon be open to the public. If you are interested in being a volunteer docent at the structures, please contact Mr. Berns at 914-3400. Docents are not required to have historical knowledge of Sarasota, and they will be trained about the two building's unique history in order to provide tours.

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County Commissioner Shannon Staub recently contributed a sizable donation to the nonprofit group, the Friends of the Sarasota County History Center. Pete & Diane Esthus also contributed a matching amount based on what Stuab bestowed, that will be put in escrow for use by the Historical Commission. The Commission, in turn, will utilize the money for the Sarasota County Historical Marker program.

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The Sarasota County History Center is creatively continuing their important work, despite the departure of staff members critical to their mission.

Jodi Pracht, an Archaeologist, has been recently hired on a part-time basis to review development proposals for impact on archaeological resources in the county. She also provides similar services for other departments in the City of Sarasota.

Jodi also is organizing collections at the History Center, working on new displays for the History Center Museum (701 N. Tamiami Trail), and interacting with county staff to protect and preserve county-owned resources. She has her B.A. in Anthropology from New College, a M.A. in Anthropology from Louisiana State University, and a M.A. of Natural Sciences from Louisiana State, in Physical Geography and Pollen Analysis. Jodi promises to tell us more about that fascinating field in a follow-up article. Stay tuned.

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University of Florida students, were in town recently to participate in a Historic Preservation Class taught by Roy Eugene Graham. Professor Graham is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architecture, and Director of Historic Preservation programs at the University of Florida.

Professor Graham and his group of students focused on the "Moderns" and were met here by Lorrie Muldowney, the Preservation Specialist at our History Center. She toured them and explained our preservation efforts at the Nokomis Beach Plaza, the 1960s addition at Sarasota High School, and the St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Bahia Vista Street. Their tour concluded at the History Center Museum, where they viewed the Paul Rudolph exhibit. The History Center Museum will have many more displays for public viewing in the spring.