Wilson Family Home

About a week ago, I was helping out at the historic Wilson House in Urfer Park, as a substitute docent. It is such a remarkable home that was saved from destruction and moved to the park from its downtown location. Tune into our video to see how Dr. Cullen Wilson began his medical career, owned the first automobile in Sarasota, and yes, made house calls. Actually, he did that on horseback before he owned his REO. Click here to see how it was moved and restored.

Drive By Gems

When was the last time you took the time to go for a ‘Sunday drive?’ If it’s been awhile we are pleased to help show off some of Sarasota’s beautiful neighborhoods; and you don’t have to even get in the car.

Each week we will feature a charming home, commercial structure of historical significance, or public art that represents what interesting things you can find in Sarasota.

(Note: We only provide addresses of homes that are historically designated, and are listed in public records)

I found this colorful cottage when I was cruising around the neighborhoods West-of-the-Trail. I am so glad to find people who aren’t afraid of color. I’m now curious of their color choices for the interior. So, friends, when you want inspiration to paint your house this Spring, be sure and take a drive to see how your place will look; a paint chip just doesn’t really give you a complete picture.

Be sure to have a look at our Vintage Properties listings, new homes are always being added. Your dream house may be one of them.

Just Jane

It seems to me that buying a vintage home is more like adopting a “used dog” from the Humane Society. You don’t really have a choice in the matter, once that special dog licks your face and begs you to take it home with you. Just like that, when an older house makes your heart palpitate, as you walk in the front door, your partner had better have his checkbook ready when you say, “It had me at the Welcome mat.”

It’s very different shopping for a brand new home. Here, you have to choose a myriad of items from your Wants/Needs List: Neighborhood, size, style, number of rooms, bathrooms, amenities, colors, cabinets, flooring, windows, hardware, etc.

Yikes, the punch-list must take a ream of paper, to say nothing of the wait to get all those things just right! My “Lazy-Girl” suggestion - Go Green! Buy the older home that speaks to you. You can always hire a handyman to fix the little things that bug you later on, and you’ll be assured that your sturdy, older home has already withstood the test of time. Just be sure to get it thoroughly inspected, know that it’s insurable and become familiar with the regulations of home improvements in our state. They are probably a bit different from Ohio or New York.

We keep finding more Vintage Homes to add to our listings, so be sure to keep checking them out and tell your friends to hurry down here. I hear the bargains are finally beginning to sell again.

Postcard of the Week

Who doesn't love to receive a vintage postcard in their in-box? A short message, a quick 'hello," a reminder, a love note, or anything you want to use our free service for is certainly worth it. See our Mobile Web-app to access these classy collectibles to send to your friends and loved ones. You can't beat the price!

Have you been paying attention to the plans to make the Panama Canal wider for larger ships? Seems to be causing quite a stir in our country as to which State will dredge for deeper ports first. Thought you might like to see what the locks looked like in a simpler time. Will Florida have a super-port anytime soon?

Contact us if you have some fond memories of the grand place in its heyday.

(photo credit: Sarasota County History Center)

The Atlantic Coast Line

The first Atlantic Coast Line passenger train pulled into Sarasota 87 years ago this past January. With Pullman cars on four trains, two each from Boston and Chicago, the ACL was the second successful railroad to lay tracks into Sarasota. The Seaboard Air Line Railway was the first with tracks along Lemon Avenue, a passenger station at Main Street and freight depot at (now) First Street.

The ACL's $100,000 passenger station opened in October 1925. The Sarasota Herald, in its first edition several days later, described the Spanish mission style depot as "the most modern in the state" and located "in what many think will ultimately be the center of the city." Constructed across East Victory Street (now East Main) approximately in line with School Avenue, the depot was on the north edge of Charles Ringling's Courthouse Subdivision. Ringling envisioned his subdivision as leading the movement of the center of Sarasota eastward from Five Points. With his Terrace Hotel (now the County Administration Building), his office building and the new county Courthouse in his subdivision, it appeared that Sarasota's downtown was indeed expanding east.

The arrival of ACL service came at the height of Sarasota's participation in Florida's land boom. Real estate display ads, glowing testimonials from visitors about the Sarasota area and articles about the high volume of building permits frequented the newspaper. ACL published a four-page booklet advertising Sarasota as a prime place to visit.

When the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus moved its winter quarters to Sarasota in 1927, railroad connections were essential. Both the SAL and ACL extended their tracks to the circus location, northeast of the present intersection of Fruitville and Beneva Roads. Read more...

(photo credit: Sarasota County History Center)

Ephemera

The word, ‘ephemera’ has such a unique sound to it; wouldn’t you agree? At the Sarasota County History Center, there is quite a bit of it on hand and it is being made into a collection for easier reference. There are so many interesting brochures, flyers, menus, pamphlets, and other materials that bring a smile to your face and jog your memory bank. The History Center is open from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday for research hours.

Oh, my gosh – I came across this comic book story of how Reddy Kilowatt came to be with the advent of static electricity centuries ago. In the 1950s, I was totally amazed by him and his electric bolts and light bulb nose.

When I was in college, he came in handy; or so I thought. You see, when the electric bill from FP&L was due, many of us students ran short of money at the end of the month. I thought I could buy some time by sending in a check made out to Reddy Kilowatt to delay them, since they would have to have me re-issue a check payable to FP&L. Wrong! Little did I know, they were on to that trick. It’s always worth the infamous ‘college-try’ though when you’re living on Cheeze Whiz in a can, Vienna Sausages and crackers. Ah, good times.

(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.

Whit Rylee, Sarasota native, long time Sarasota historian and creator of the Yesterday’s Sarasota Calendar has started a new organic family farm in Marshall, North Carolina. It is named, Riddle Farm. Along with his best friend Jessica Thistlegrove and their children, Whit is restoring the 99 year-old farm house. He also has a collection of interesting out buildings, such as a smoke house and milk parlor. Visit Whit's Web site at www.riddlefarm.net

This Saturday, in 1930, John Ringling’s yacht, the Zalophus, sinks in Big Pass. Among the passengers were New York Mayor Jimmy Walker and actress Betty Compton (with whom he was reputed to be having an affair – where was the Enquirer when we needed them) and Mr. and Mrs. Sam Gumpertz (And who, you ask, is Sam Gumpertz? You’ve heard of Ringling Brothers, Coney Island, and Harry Houdini? He managed all of them at one time or another).

(photo credit: Sarasota County History Center)

New Pics on Facebook

Each week, your editor posts photos on our Sarasota History Alive! Facebook page for your enjoyment and comments. He especially likes to create "Then and Now" comparisons for you to ponder.

The next time you are downtown, at Lemon Avenue and Main Street, have a look at Mattison's City Grille and let your (historical) imagination take over. Allow yourself to take a trip back to when the S.A.L. Train Station was there and the trains were coming and going - right through downtown. If you have a recollection of this time, please Contact Us; we will be happy to share your memories in our weekly newsletter.

('Then' photo credit: Sarasota County History Center)

Ain't Life Grand?

Your editor spends a great deal of time at the Sarasota County History Center finding interesting information for you to ponder. While there, he also comes across many photos that depict life at an earlier time in history. With that in mind, check out this week's image.

I bet I had my hairdo long before Shirley Temple. She went a bit overboard with hers, and just had to do all that tap dancing…seriously?! I don’t tap dance, but I can sure turn a head or two in my class at school.

(photo credit: Sarasota County History Center)