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Journals of Yesteryear

The dedicated professional staff of the Sarasota County History Center has composed fascinating accounts of people, places and events from our county's remarkable past.

Florida History Alive! is very grateful to them for permitting us to display these narratives on our website. We, as a community are also indebted to them for all the research and patience it took to produce hundreds of these articles for your enjoyment and information. Florida History Alive! will continually add new stories and photos as they become available.

After you read a story in the Journals of Yesteryear, if you have questions, please note that an email address is attached to the header for easy access to the experts at the History Center. At the bottom of each story is a link for your convenience to send the article to a colleague, friend or family member.

The Friends of the History Center is a nonprofit organization that helps support the staff's ongoing efforts to preserve our county's heritage. Won't you please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to assist their efforts? Call the History Center @ (941) 861-6090 for details and further information. Or, stop by and see the enormous amount of materials they have preserved to help us all appreciate a sense of place and historical perspective in our community. They are located at 6062 Porter Way, Sarasota Florida, 34232


Featured Journals

Rube Allyn's Contrasting Decade in Sarasota
He came as a humorist and entertainer. He left as an accused, but never tried, murderer. Rube Allyn's decade in Sarasota was one of great contrasts. In "The Story of Sarasota," Karl Grismer described him as " a cross between a genius and a bum...(with) the eloquence of an old-time Shakespearean actor...a man of mood...long hair...seldom if ever bathed...never wore socks...an excellent writer."
City Waterworks Building
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.
A History of Venice
Venice was first settled in the 1870s by Richard Roberts who established a homestead on the beach near Dona Bay. He planted an orange grove and raised a limited amount of crops. In 1884, he sold a portion of his holdings to Frank Higel. Higel established a citrus operation involving the production of several lines of canned citrus items, including jams, pickled orange peel, lemon juice, and orange wine. The Higel family eventually dominated the Venice area until the mid-1910s. They were boat builders, fishermen, grove caretakers, and contractors. In 1911, the railroad was completed to Venice and soon there was interest in the development of the area.
'Paradise' Eluded the Early Settlers - by Ann A. Shank, former County Historian
'Uncle Ben' Stickney's - by Ann A. Shank, former County Historian
A Glance at Some of the Top News Stories in 1955 - by Mark D. Smith, former County Archivist
A June Wedding - by Ann A. Shank, former County Historian
Abundant Fishing in Sarasota Bay - by Ann A. Shank, former County Historian
Anti-Mosquito Program - by Ann A. Shank, former County Historian
Baseball Legend Ted Williams Time in Sarasota - by Ann A. Shank, former County Historian
Bee Ridge Community - by Ann A. Shank, former County Historian
Bee Ridge Turpentine Camp - by Ann A. Shank, former County Historian
Bee Ridge's Tatum House - by Lorrie Muldowney, Historic Preservation Specialist
Bird Key: The Jewel in Sarasota Bay - by Mark D. Smith, former County Archivist
Black Settler Helped Sarasota Grow - by Lorrie Muldowney, County Preservationist
Bovine Battle Proved to be Tough - by Ann A. Shank, former County Historian
Boy Scouting Came to Sarasota County in 1913 - by Ann A. Shank, former County Historian
Burns' Mark was Apparent Around Town - by Ann A. Shank, former County Historian
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