Leonard Reid, Colonel Gillespie's ‘gentleman's gentleman' died. He helped the Colonel lay out his golf course in 1905. He later helped Owen Burns in redesigning the course in 1916 after the Colonel returned to Scotland. The Colonel was known for his kind heart when it came to caring for people with problems. When Addie Colemen's mother faced the likelihood of being unable to feed her six children, the Gillespies took Addie in. Seven years later, Addie became the bride of another of Gillespie's charges, Leonard Reid.

Nearly a century ago, two lovers built a grand castle on the island we know as Bird Key.

 

Imagine the delight with which today's government officials would receive news of the unanimous approval of a bond issue for public improvements. Such was the case in January 1925, when a $150,000 bond issue for the improvement and extension of the City of Sarasota's water system was approved by Sarasota voters. Part of this funding was used to construct the City Waterworks Building, set back from the northwest corner of Orange Avenue and 10th Street at 1015 North Orange Avenue.

This three-story, "L" - shaped plan, stucco and cast stone Mediterranean Revival building was designed by Dwight James Baum as the Broadway or El Vernona Apartments. Today it is commonly known as the Belle Haven. The reinforced concrete and hollow-tile construction complex was built by Ricketts and Haworth, owned by the Burns Realty Company and opened for occupancy in March of 1926. The construction permit was issued for the complex by the end of October 1925 and construction materials were received by the contracting firm by December of the same year. By March 1926 the 55room complex of twenty furnished apartments was ready for occupancy and the total cost of the complex was $250,000.