tory
to Tell
Sarasota was originally called Zara Zota,
and its history abounds with explorers,
opportunists, entrepreneurs and dreamers.
The county itself was officially established on
May 14, 1921, though hunter-gatherers arrived
far sooner to reap the benefits of this naturally
bountiful location. The name originated
from Spanish explorers during the sixteenth
century, 300 hundred years prior to Florida
becoming an official part of the United States
of America.
Eventually, Zara Zota became Sarasota, but
was popularly known as The Circus City. John
Ringling of Ringling Brothers Circus fame,
once one of the richest men in the country,
vacationed in Sarasota with his wife, Mable,
and brought with him luxury, fame, art and
Gatsby-style soirees. Their Italian-style home,
the Ca’ d’Zan, remains open for visitors to
explore, revisiting a bygone era of extravagance.
The circus continues to be a major part
of Sarasota’s past and present.
As one ventures through Sarasota, they will
see certain names time and again. Ringling,
Selby, Gillespie, and Burns serve as names
of libraries, bridges, neighborhoods and rest-
aurants. The names are an homage to the
people who contributed to Sarasota County’s
still-evolving history.
The Historical Society of Sarasota County
offers tours by trolley or boat to provide
in-depth history of Sarasota, the stories behind
it, and what makes it special. The Sarasota
County History Center on Tamiami Trail
unwraps the backstory of the buildings, people
and changes undergone in the community.
Its architecture and historical marker roundup
serves as an interactive scavenger hunt for history
buffs. Historic Spanish Point delves into the
prehistory and pioneering of the Sarasota area
deeper than any other attraction. And a visit to
Five Points Park in downtown Sarasota reveals
landmarks dedicated to significant elders who
helped form our community.
John Hamilton Gillespie
John Ringling
Marie Selby
Owen Burns
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