Videos: Sarasota History

The history of the Crocker Memorial Church begins with Peter Crocker, a Civil War veteran born in Wheeler, New York, who became a lighthouse keeper in Key West, Florida, and who, with his wife Sophia, came to the Sara Sota area of Manatee County in 1873 where he purchased 20 acres southwest of Bay and Bee Ridge Roads.

It was a major event for Sarasota in the 1930s. The dedication of Sarasota's new post office (The Federal Building) on South Osprey Avenue rated the lead story of the Sarasota Herald on February 15, 1935.

Who knew Sarasota had it's own jingle? Sing-a-long with a Sarasota original.

Tune in to a new episode of This Week to learn about Judge Early and see his beautiful former home in Historic Laurel Park. Judge Early did a remarkable number of things for our community in his 102 years. Heck, he was the oldest living Eagle Scout up until 1999, when he passed away.

On December 23, 1885 a number of Scottish families came ashore on or near this spot to settle land they had purchased for their homes in a new country. The met wilderness and hardship instead of the established town promised them; causing many to return in disappointment to Scotland.

In 1940, as America pulled itself out of The Depression, an oasis appeared on the shores of Lido Beach. Built with the financial aid of the Works Progress Administration Program (WPA) started by then President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Lido Beach Casino served the citizens and tourists of Sarasota until 1969.

In 1933 the Sarasota Garden Club hired notable architect Thomas Reed Martin to design a plan to improve Luke Wood Park. The plan included clearing the land, laying shell roads, and installing a reflection pool with a memorial fountain dedicated in Mable Ringling's memory. The project was completed in 1936.

Sarasota History Alive! and Smooth Al Productions created this video for the Sarasota Alliance For Historic Preservation to document their renovation project on the Mable Ringling Memorial Fountain in Luke Wood Park, Sarasota, FL.