Gillespie Home
Photos: Sarasota History

This was the second home of Col. John Hamilton Gillespie and his wife, Blanche on Morrill Street. They can be seen in the far left corner of this image. Gillespie was called upon to save the original colony of people who attempted to settle here under less-than-desirous conditions. He introduced the game of golf to Florida, and was the first Mayor of the Town of Sarasota.
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Burns' Mark was Apparent Around Town
Drawn by the excellent fishing opportunities, Owen Burns came from Chicago to vacation in Sarasota in the spring of 1910. Attracted by real estate development possibilities, he stayed and helped turn Sarasota from a small fishing village into a vibrant city.
Gillespie Led Drive for Golf in Sarasota
The game of golf came to Sarasota when Col. John Hamilton Gillespie arrived in 1886. Nobody in the small village of Sarasota knew what Gillespie was doing when in May 1886 he built a practice course consisting of two greens and one long fairway.
