'Uncle Ben Stickney's

In the early years of this century, before bridges connected the keys to the mainland, a favorite place to have a picnic was "Uncle Ben" Stickney's. On the bay side of Sarasota (now Siesta) Key, south of the later Stickney Point Bridge, Stickney's homestead gained a reputation for hospitality far beyond Sarasota's borders.

Benjamin Stickney was born in St. Louis in 1842. As a young adult, he followed family tradition in the hotel business and in 1894 was the proprietor of Sarasota's DeSoto Hotel at the foot of Main Street. After retiring, Stickney built his homestead on Sarasota Key under spreading live oaks draped in Spanish moss. When Stickney died in February 1912, The Sarasota Times mourned the community's loss on the front page. The Baptist Church held the funeral service, even though Stickney was an Episcopalian, because it was the only church large enough to hold all the people.

Clergy from the Episcopal and Presbyterian churches led the services, and the Belle Haven Inn Quartet provided the music. Stickney was buried in Rosemary Cemetery. The newspaper's tribute to "Uncle Ben" concluded, ". . . the murmuring waves along his shore breathe a requiem for the passing away of one who was loved and honored."

A variety of press reports and other commentaries over the years testify to the warmth and breadth of "Uncle Ben's" hospitality. A writer from Venice recalled Stickney taking in many a traveler caught on the key during bad weather. Sitting in front of a blazing fire, the welcomed visitor would listen to "Uncle Ben's" stories as he prepared the evening meal. Although sometimes called the Hermit of the Key, Stickney impressed those who knew him as a lovable character, everyone's friend, a nature lover, the genial host.

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(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.

Also, be sure and check out Whit's website at: www.ChickenHillNC.com.

Today in 1930, John Ringling's yacht, the Zalophus, sinks in Big Pass. Among the passengers were New York Mayor Jimmy Walker and actress Betty Comton (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 may 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.) The photo above shows workers about to be ferried to the first Ringling Bridge while it was under construction. Nice way to arrive for work, for sure.

(photo credit: Sarasota County History Center)

History Locator

Sarasota History Alive! is spotlighting our county's historical markers for you in our weekly e-Newsletters. No sense in trying to read them as you drive by at 40 miles per hour any longer.

This week we are honoring historic Spanish Point at the Oaks.

This 30-acre preserve includes prehistoric shell middens and a burial mound dating from 3,000 B.C to 1000 A.D., buildings from the homestead of John Greene Webb, and gardens from the winter estate of Mrs. Potter Palmer. In 1975, it became the first nomination in Sarasota County to the National Register of Historic Places. Five years later the heirs of Mrs. Palmer donated the historic site to Gulf Coast Heritage Association, Inc., which today operates Historic Spanish Point as an accredited museum.

Archaeological excavations by Ripley P. and Adelaide K. Bullen and others document this place as one of the largest preserved prehistoric Indian village sites on Florida's west coast. The early Floridians harvested huge quantities of seafood, hunted deer and raccoon, collected native fruits and berries, made tools from shell, bone, and wood, and lived in thatched huts. They abandoned the village around 1000 A.D.

In 1867, John and Eliza Webb and their five children, Anna, Will, Lizzie, Jack, and Ginnie, arrived here from Utica, New York, claiming 145 acres under the Federal Homestead Act. Read reverse side...

On the Streets Where You Live

How electrifying! Check out those sure-footed guys standing on top of the pole. Seems people will do just about anything in front of the camera.

Anyhow, I am obviously a church and this photo was taken in 1905, when there wasn't a whole lot of activity happening in our town except scratching out a living and going to church.

I am located in a VERY busy section of town, and a popular place with an Irish name adorns my location; but with no church services for sure.

Well, I don't think I can make it any easier on you, but if you can't guess yet, click here to find out.