This Week Newsletter - June 3, 2009
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This Weeks Slideshow
Today we are telling the story of Anton and Carrie Kleinoscheg in text and in a slideshow. Anton came to Sarasota a few weeks before the Scottish colonists in 1885. His short journey through life landed him in Sarasota only to get malaria, be nursed back to health by the daughter of Charles and Carrie Abbe. Charles, you will recall from our videos, was assasinated, and his wife became our Postmaster. Anton built his home at the foot of Cunliff Lane, and from there he made a go of it with his bride. They endured the heat, mosquitoes, hard-freezes, and the disappointments of frontier life. One of Anton's goals was to produce wine, as was his family heritage in Austria; more about that in the story and photo which take you through his life, and that of his family. Click here to enjoy the story and show.
Tales of Sarasota
This week, Pete is fessing up about the "Midnight Auto Supply", which no doubt has branches througout the country. Him and his best friend were 'this close' to temptation, but to their surprise everything worked out fine. What do rotors and motors have to do with parts in your pants? Guess you'll have to click below to find out. Click here to read Pete's blog.
The Olive Brink House
The home and detached garage were completed sometime between January and April of 1926. Although the builder and architect are unknown, the house is believed to have been designed and constructed by the same architect and builder as the house directly west of it. HISTORICAL INFORMATION In 1903, Sarasota was incorporated as the Town of Sarasota and in 1912 it was reincorporated as a city. In 1921, many citizens within the City of Sarasota assisted in creating the new County of Sarasota, with the City becoming the County seat. Previously, the area was part of a much larger Manatee County. During the 1920's, residential subdivisions were platted throughout an expanded city limit. Cheap land prices and the promise of quick profits swept the city into a spiral of development. This decade brought unparalleled growth to Sarasota, as well as throughout the state of Florida. Sarasota Downtown development was coupled with expanding suburban residential areas. Sarasota was fast replacing the fishing village image that it had with that of a developing resort community. Construction following the First World War produced what would become a modern city. In 1925, nationally renowned land planner John Nolen established a comprehensive plan for Sarasota. His plan was intended to guide in the provision of adequate traffic circulation, utilities, and schools. Read more... The Main Street Reporter
(photo credit: Sarasota County History Center) July 3, 1947 (SHT) Modern Grapevine...When Mrs. Albert Anderson found she had a flat tire the other night while on the way to call on a girlfriend, she was plenty perturbed. But not for long. Came the state highway patrol who on being hailed, stopped to see what was what.Mrs. A. asked that they go and ‘phone her husband through Art Esthus. They said they could do even better, and contacted police headquarters with their radio hook-up on their patrol car. Headquarters in turn called Art Esthus who got hold of a service station. Soon a wrecker drew up along the disabled car and the flat was quickly changed...Time lost by Mrs. Anderson, fifteen minutes. (Editors note: If you have any great memories of encounters with Helen, please contact us and we will be delighted to print them in our newsletter.)
Dr. Fred Albee
 Dr. Fred Albee, 41-year-old nationally known orthopedic surgeon, came to the Venice-Nokomis area in 1917. He believed the area was ideal for a hospital and a community. He bought large parcels of land that included 25 miles of waterfront and hired renowned city planner John Nolen to work on the design. He founded the Venice-Nokomis Bank, the only 1920s boom-period bank in the area to survive the Great Depression of the 1930s. Albee donated land for the Venice-Nokomis Methodist Church and also land for the Nokomis School.
Albee opened the Florida Medical Center in 1933. The nearest hospital was 70 miles away in Tampa. Albee developed a farm and dairy to provide nutritious food for the patients and emphasized sun therapy. He owned a plane and was one of the first in the country to use a plane to transport patients. The medical center closed in 1942 when it was taken over as a military hospital for the U.S. Army. Albee had pioneered work in bone grafting. He reportedly performed nearly half of all bone grafts done during World War I. He invented orthopedic tools, taught his methods to surgeons all over the world and was decorated by the governments of 14 countries for his distinguished work. When Dr. Albee died in 1945, his estate included 14,000 acres of property, including Casey Key, a hotel, 14 houses, an inn, restaurant, docks and fishing center, and 12 workers' houses. His name remains on Albee Farm Road. To learn more about Dr. Albee and other topics in Sarasota County history, visit the Sarasota County History Center, 6062 Porter Way, Sarasota, or visit the County's website at www.scgov.net or call 941-861-5000. (photo credit: Sarasota County History Center)
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Keener Vision Without Glasses
(From the Witherspoon Family Papers at the Sarasota County History Center) Your editor found some original papers on beauty tips and eye care at the History Center in the Witherspoon Collection. He thought they may interest our viewers, however, be cautioned to do these exercises and beauty treatments at your own risk. This regimen, we believe, is from the early 20th century, so take it for what it's worth. It's "Gymnastique!"
Ways of Relaxing the Eyes: Eye Cupping: Eye Bath: Read in any position as it helps the eye muscles. Blink at the sun. Zone Therapy: General Suggestions: Learn to roll the eyes in all directions. Gymnastique No. 1: To strengthen the upper and lower eye muscles. Hold head absolutely quiet and turn you eyes up. Try to see the top of your head, then turn your eyes down as far as possible, without moving the head. Count one, eyes up; count two, eyes down. Repeat this 14 times.
Be a Pal, use PayPalAfter your overwhelming positive response to our survey, we found that 84% of you were willing to contribute to us, so we may continue to bring you our weekly e-Newsletter and website resource. We will continue to offer these services at no charge, however, if you are in a position to help us, we certainly will appreciate it. Click Donate to contribute today! If you prefer, you may send a check to Florida History Alive, 1835 Jasmine Drive, Sarasota, FL, 34239. Again, thank you for your thoughtful support. Also, if you would like to be a sponsor of our "Where Am I?" quiz, please call us at (941) 951-7727. It only cost $25 per week for us to set up your ad, and you only have to provide a prize for the winner. What could be easier?
Time to Shout - School's Out!This 1958 photo shows Sarasota High School students enjoying Senior Day at the Beach, right before the end of the school year and graduation. Good times!
Yesterday's Sarasota Calendar
Also, be sure and check out Whit's website at: www.ChickenHillNC.com. This Friday in 1866, Alex Browning, draftsman and architect, was born in Paisley, Scotland. He was among the only Scots family to remain in Sarasota after the Scottish colony began to dissolve. He was an accomplished draftsman and gained recognition in that area as the best in the British Empire. The Prince of Wales awarded him an ivory-handled drafting set for his work. He drew up the plans for the first architecturally designed home in Sarasota, and served as Public Works Commissioner for the City. (photo credit: Sarasota County History Center)
History Locator
It reads: "The Father of Sarasota," John Hamilton Gillespie, was born in 1852 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He arrived here in 1886 to assist the failing Florida Mortgage and Investment Company, a development company partially owned by his father in Edinburgh. The company had enticed a group of Scottish colonists to Sarasota in 1885 to help settle its 50,000-acre holdings, which included most of the land constituting the present City of Sarasota. The settlers arrived to find most of the company's promises unfulfilled. Gillespie was dispatched to improve the situation. Many disillusioned colonists left, however, and the company entered liquidation proceedings. Gillespie remained in Sarasota after the court appointed him to manage the assets of the company there. He organized the clearing of three miles of Main Street, the building of a substantial wharf on the waterfront, and the beginning of a 40-acre experimental farm. In 1902, he was elected the first mayor of Sarasota when the town was incorporated and held this office for six terms. He also served his community as Justice of Peace four years and Notary Public ten years. He was affectionately known as "Colonel" in this community. Read reverse side...
Sunset on the Blue Ribbon PanelIn early 2008, the Sarasota County Commision established a Blue Ribbon Panel to research and investigate ways to continue the valuable services of the county History Center in these extraordinary and challenging economic times. Your editor attended almost every one of the panel's public meetings to observe and comment on their progress for the past year. I am happy to inform you that what transpired in those meetings was certainly an eye-opener. I was very impressed with all the member's committment to finding logical, revenue producing, and expense reducing methods that take advantage of the resources we have, and how to move forward; in this case to also find potential funding sources for a new History Museum that will benefit the entire county in the future. Please allow me to suggest you read the panel's findings in their entirety at the link below. You, as a resident of our community will be astounded at how much information they scrutinized and what a beneficial plan they have established as a starting point. Also, please keep in mind that our communities, within the county, will need to have a great deal of trust in one another and realize this is only the beginning of a long term goal that is truly worth achieving. Click here to read the report.
What's There Now?Our winner for last week's contest was Lucretia Hawkridge. Many participants guessed the correct answer though the winner is determined by the first person to guess correctly. Your answers are time-stamped when they are submitted to us. Click here to review the photo, question and the correct answer of last week's challenge. This Week's Clues:
Anyhow, this structure has a lot of history behind it, and it is a shame it was destroyed by flame. I promise you, your editor had nothing to do with that! Your quiz question this week is to tell us what is there now in its place. Good luck! Please submit the form that allows you to guess the answer. Click here to fill it out, and next week we will announce the winner, and give the solution to the question. Answer early, since the first person with the correct answer, claims the prize. Contestants may win only once per month.
Our sponsor this week is the Dattoli Cancer Center and Brachytherapy Research Institute of Sarasota. The Dattoli Cancer Center is an internationally recognized destination for the non-surgical treatment of prostate cancer. Dr. Dattoli has recently published what is the longest and best cure rate in the world, using his unique 4D IG-IMRT with DART therapy combined with Palladium 103 brachytherapy (seed implant). Visit their website: www.dattoli.com. Be the first to identify the mystery photo and the Dattoli Cancer Center will send you a lovely embossed suede journal with pen. |
We would like to extend our thanks to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune for permitting Sarasota History Alive! to reprint excerpts of Helen Griffith's Main Street Reporter column from the 1940s and beyond. Please visit them online at, 
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 
This week we are honoring the John Hamilton Gillespie historical marker.
Your editor remembers going into this place as a kid when it was a drug store to purchase salt-peter and sulphur. He, and his neighborhood buddies, would take those ingredients and mix them with another household material to make a crude form of gun powder. Then they were set to launch their homemade rockets. Ahh, the Fifties!
"Sarasota History Alive!" is a part of the "Florida History Alive!" network
"Sarasota History Alive!" is a part of the "Florida History Alive!" network
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