This Week Newsletter - November 26, 2008
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This Week
Since November the 28th is "Black Friday," we decided to honor this traditional major shopping day with our video about St. Armands. Lee takes you on a historical journey that John Ringling started and that has come 'full circle'. Please pardon the pun. This is also a great day to support all of our local shopping venues. Please buy local and enjoy your holiday festivities. Springs Yield Evidence of Sarasota County's Earliest SettlersSpecial thanks to Jeff Moates, M.A, R.P.A, Director, West Coast Region, Florida Public Archaeology Network, University of South Florida for receiving permission to reprint this article.
In 1959, Sarasota County's Dr. Eugenie Clark (of Mote Marine Lab) and retired Air Force Colonel Bill Royal excavated human skeletal material and artifacts from sediment located in a shallow "cave" some 35 to 40 feet underwater. The cenote-like solution feature they dived in to make the discoveries is known as Warm Mineral Springs and is located in the southern portion of Sarasota County near Northport. A sample of the excavated material returned a radio-carbon date of 10,000 or so years before present (BP) or 8,050 B.C.; the earliest evidence of man in Florida. Yet, researchers and archaeologists held out that the evidence was contentious. Therefore in 1970 and 1971, Doris Davis (former historian of the Sarasota County Historical Commission) and George Wheeler Jr. (general manager of the spring) made requests to the Florida Bureau of Historic Sites and Properties for an underwater archaeologist to conduct further investigations at the site. Archaeologists excavated a small test pit in January 1972 following other work that took place at the site in 1971. The primary purpose for the excavation was to obtain additional samples for analysis and to supplement the geological data previously gathered. The evidence recovered in this go-around yielded the same date that the 1959 data had. "Two human bones recovered from submerged deposits in Warm Mineral Springs, Florida in January 1972 and dated by radiocarbon method as 10,000 years old, would seem to represent the earliest scientifically verifiable evidence of the presence of man in Florida and the Southeast;" or so it seemed... (photo credit: Science Magazine) Tales of Sarasota
This week, Diane continues her blog about South Gate Shopping Plaza. Shop to you drop? Not really, but this plaza (mall) had it all. Click here to get to her blog. Where Am I?
I have a great view from where I am attached to my host structure, and a great history as well. 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' can be associated with me, and I sound mine often. I also have many redeeming qualities, and hope you will stop by and see me up close in my welcoming surroundings. Need help? Click here for my location. Visit the Vencice Archives VirtuallyArticle by: Janice Schull The Venice Archives and Area Historical Collection has an early holiday gift for visitors. The catalog of holdings for three significant collections is now available online, or from the City of Venice web site. Using PastPerfect software, a database manager designed especially for museums and archives, the staff has completed the cataloging for items in its library, photos, and street address collections. The photos catalog contains records for more than 2,000 photographs, with more to be added in the near future. The Archives has photographs spanning from the 1800s to the present and representing activities, people and places throughout the Venice area. The street address collection consists of 576 street addresses in Venice, Laurel, Nokomis and Osprey, including records for properties within the four historic districts and those listed on the National Register of Historic Properties and the City of Venice Local Register. Photographs are available for most of the properties. The library catalog lists the books and other publications contained in the Archives and each record includes a detailed description and summary of the contents. The Archives has many fascinating artifacts and manuscript collections which will be added to the PastPerfect catalog to make it even more useful to the researcher. The catalog is very easy to search, using your choice of keyword or field search. The click-and-search feature gives a list of available terms within a field name. Have fun! (Hint: try searching for "elephants" in the title field.) For more information, contact Director Historical Resources James Hagler at (941) 486-2487.
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MacKinlay Kantor - Prize-winning Author Called Siesta Key HomeOne of the most literary and colorful characters in Sarasota's history was writer MacKinlay Kantor.
His fascination with the Civil War began as a young child. At the age of seven, Kantor would march with the Civil War veterans in the Grand Army of the Republic parades down the streets of Webster City. He told everybody that he was a Civil War veteran. Kantor's first novel was published when he was 24. After traveling around the country for a while, Kantor settled in Sarasota; he and his wife built their house on Siesta Key in 1937. At that time, the key was a jungle and, with only a few houses, the area proved to be an ideal place for Kantor to write. Some days, he would put the typewriter or the tape recorder in his car and head for the open country. Kantor dictated all his work, claiming the he had to hear how it sounded before he put it in writing. Read more... (photo credit: Sarasota County History Center) Yesterday's Sarasota CalendarEvery 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.
(photo credit: Sarasota County History Center) (Editor's note: The photo depicts William Selby on his yacht Bilma II, with the Orange Avenue bridge in the background) On the Streets Where You LiveWe, at Sarasota History Alive! have decided to include something for you to get your bearings if you have not lived here a long time. Changes have happened throughout Sarasota's history, and "now and then" it is great to reflect on them with "Then" and "Now" photos. Since our "Where Am I" feature is so popular, we are now going to combine that brain teaser with "Then" and "Now" and alternate them in a new blog section. Instead of just showing you the "Now" picture, you will be challenged to think about the location of the "Then" photo. Just another way that Sarasota's history keeps you on your toes! 
This 1940s "Then" photo depicts the Smack Restaurant, a very popular local spot for great burgers and great times, with car-hops to boot. Talk about customer service! Many of you remember it well, but our new comers might not even know of it. Click here for the "Now" shot. (photo credit: Sarasota County History Center) (Editor's note: To learn about the history of the Smack, check out our video on this special place) Happy Thanksgiving to All
(photo credit: Sarasota County History Center) Christmas Mail Call
December 16th is the deadline for Parcel Post deliveries in the U.S. December 20th is the deadline for First Class deliveries in the U.S. (photo credit: Sarasota County History Center) Ribbon Cutting in Englewood
Seen in the photo are Sarasota County Commissioner Shannon Staub (L), along with Charlotte County Commissioner Dick Loftus (M), and Commissioner Elect Robert Skidmore (R) doing the honors. Historical Society Hosts Pete and Diane Esthus
Pete and Diane told many of their personal stories about Sarasota's past, and related to the audience the unique history of our city and county. We at Sarasota History Alive! are proud to have these two special individuals conduct a blog that our viewers look forward to reading on a weekly basis. Keep in mind you may post comment to their blog, or ask them questions in our forum section. |
Kantor was born in Webster City, Iowa, in 1904. His mother, a journalist, encouraged Kantor to develop his writing style. Kantor started writing seriously as a teen-ager when he worked as a reporter with his mother at the local newspaper in Webster City. During this period he also wrote poetry and won a short story contest sponsored by the Des Moines Register.
For example, on this coming Saturday in 1926, just in case you happened to be near a phone...it was announced today that yacht owners wishing to pass through the draw bridge on Orange Avenue should call 3650 or 2015 and the draw would be opened. It was further requested that yachtsmen give the bridge tender at least 30 minutes notice. The superintendent also noted that the bridge could be opened on Sundays and holidays by prior arrangement. (We wonder if there was a phone booth on Hudson Bayou.)
In this late 1800s photo of William Whitaker's yard (near present day 12th street and U.S. 41), note the two gobblers roaming around. We guess they were spared the axe this time. They better make themselves scarce next year or they will be on the dinner table.
Longtime former Postmaster of Sarasota, Gordon Higel, plays the role of Santa Claus with a a carrier as a sled, and a local beauty to get the word out.
Englewood - November 15, 2008 - A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Bay Heights Park in Englewood to honor the Lemon Bay/Myakka Trail. It is part of the Florida Scenic Highway system, and a detailed map shows all the highway's historical resources.
Pete and Diane Esthus were the guest speakers at the Historical Society of Sarasota County's recent membership meeting held at the Pines of Sarasota.
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