The Lemon Bay Woman’s Club is a historic community organization located at 51 North Maple Street, Englewood, Florida. It is known for its century long role in civic life and its listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
The DeSoto Hotel was Sarasota’s first major hotel and a key part of the city’s early tourism and economic development
Origins and construction (2886-1887)
In 1886, Colonel John Hamilton Gillespie, representing the Florida Mortgage and Investment Company, arrived in Sarasota-then a small fishing village-with plans to improve streets, downtown and attract wealthy visitors. He commissioned the DeSoto Hotel at the bay front, south of the company’s store. Built to be the finest on Florida’s west coast, it was three stories tall, featured an observation tower, 30 bedrooms, a large lobby and a dining room. Lumber was shipped by schooner from Cedar Key and Apalachiola to speed construction.
The hotel opened on February 2, 1887, and was officially launched with grand ball attended with over 200 guests, the largest social event south Manatee at the time. Gillespie leased it to Alfred P. and Annie R. Jones of Cedar Key, who managed it under a profit sharing arrangement.
Early challenges and ownership changes
The DeSoto enjoyed a brief prosperous period, but an economic slump around 1890 caused a decline in paying guests. The hotel closed for several years in the 1890’s. In 1899, the Florida Mortgage and Investment Company sold it to a Tampa syndicate, which later sold it to the Southern Investment Company on October 6, 1902. The new owners renovated it and renamed it the Belle Haven Inn.
Later Years
The Belle Haven Inn survived into the early 1900’s, but by 1910 it needed repairs. A 1911 influx of visitors prompted the addition of a new wing. For many years, it remained Sarasota’s only suitable lodging for visitors.
Historical Significance
The Desoto Hotel was pivotal in establishing Sarasota as a winter destination for the elite and in laying the groundwork for the city’s tourism economy. Its transformation into the Belle Haven Inn reflects the evolving nature of hospitality in Florida’s growing resort culture
Jesse Knight and his wife were supporters of education in their new settlement in Nokomis. Early on there were buildings that served as community centers and chapels.
Public Education
In 1896, Jesse Knight donated land to the Manatee County Board of Instruction with the stipulation that this building be used for as a school and for a church. This was the first permanent school built in the area. This was located approximately 1/8 miles from the Knight Cemetery.
The Knight Cemetery began in the 1880’s as the first burial ground in the Venice/Nokomis area (originally called the Venice Cemetery). The land for the Cemetery was donated by early settler Jesse Knight. Mr. Knight also played a role in the development of the area’s first school and church.
Origins and Early Settlement
The history of the cemetery is tied to Jesse and Rebeca Knight who were among the earliest settlers in the region They arrived in what was known as Venice in 1868 with their children and 300 head of cattle. Their homestead lay south of Shakett Creek and their cattle grazed across the area
As more settlers arrived Knight recognized the need for a local school. He was instrumental in its construction. The same building was used for religious services on Sunday.
Establishment of the Cemetery
The land that was to become Knight Cemetery was already being used for burials since 1880’s. This makes it the oldest cemetery in the Venice/Nokomis area.
Key Milestones
1880’s site begins serving as a cemetery
08/03/1888 First recorded burial
10/22/1903 Knight donates 1/2 acre for Methodist Episcopal Church
1904 Cemetery formerly known as Venice Cemetery now known as Knight Cemetery
There are approximately 1,000 internments from the 19th and 20th centuries in the Knight Cemetery. It remains a significant historical and genealogical resource for the Sarasota County area. Its ties to Jesse Knight’s role in the region’s educational, religious and community life makes it a cornerstone of local heritage.
Notable burials in the cemetery
Jesse Josiah Knight (1852-1939) Pioneer, cattleman, settler, and community leader
Mary Caroline “Mollie” Wrede Knight 1862-1936) Wife of Jesse Josiah Knight
Jessie Ada Knight Bush (1800-1973) Daughter of Jesse and Mollie Knight
Lillian Alice Knight Coggeshell (1882-1975) Daughter of Jesse and Mollie.
Dasie Knight Maury (1884-1979) Daughter of Jesse and Mollie Knight
Eva Helen Knight Warren (1887-1972) Daughter of Jesse and Mollie Knight
Many historic and modern interments
Lilliam Nancy Curry (1921-2015)
Norma Joan Higel Gaunt (1923-2011)
Gerald Curry Sr. (1928-2013)
Edith Robbins Hurt ( 1909-2013)
There is a grave for a Russiann actress and producer named Galina Andreva La Rova
Knight’s Chapel in Nokomis, Florida
Knight’s Chapel was a historic religious building in Nokomis, Sarasota County, Florida. It was built by early settlers known as the Knights. Unfortunately, the building was destroyed in 1928 by a hurricane. It was never rebuilt.
Historical Background
The chapel was part of the early settlement of what is now Nokomis. The first white settlers in the area where the Knights along with at least three other families who arrived in 1868. The Knights raised cattle after Civil War. The Knight’s donated land for the first school and helped build the first chapel in the community.
The Johnson Chapel Missionary Church began as a 1915 wood frame Missionary Baptist Church in Osprey, Florida and became a central African American community institution after its relocation to Laurel, Florida in 1947.
Origins in Osprey (1915–1947)
The building that now houses Johnson Chapel was constructed in 1915 as the Osprey Missionary Baptist Church on the west side of Tamiami Trail in Osprey. It was funded by Bertha Palmer. It served a white congregation and functioned as a worship center and schoolhouse. It hosted baptisms in nearby Dona Bay. It hosted community classes.
Formation of Johnson Chapel Congregation
The African American congregation that would later become Johnson Chapel originated in the early 20th century among black residents of Albee Quarters and other laborer communities near Osprey and Laurel. They initially met in homes and schoolhouses led by their first pastor Reverend I.S. Johnson for whom the church was named. These gatherings provided spiritual support amid segregation, low wages, and limited access to formal institutions.
A devastating 1942 wood fire destroyed their previous worship site at the Mount Zion Baptist Church. This forced reliance on temporary spaces until a permanent building could be founded.
Relocation to Laurel (1947)
In 1947, the Osprey congregation built a new sanctuary and sold their 1915 building to the Johnson Chapel Congregation. This building was then relocated 6 miles south to Laurel at 506 Church Street. The building was rotated west and a rear chancel was added. The relocated Church became a vital center for the African American community serving workers from the Laurel Turpentine Company, Arnold Lumber Community, Albee Dairy, and Blackburn Groves.
Community Roles (1947-1973)
Led by long serving Pastor Reverend Norman Raymond Herring (1930–1974), the Johnson Chapel functioned as : a place of worship, School for Black Children in Grades 1-8, a meeting hall for the fraternal organization such as Lily White Lodge 22, Knights of Phythias,Masons and Eastern Star. The building functioned as a worship center until 1973
Architectural Significance
Johnson Chapel is a Vernacular rural wood frame church measuring 29 X 52 feet, balloon framing, clapboard siding and single gable roof. It is the oldest surviving rural church from the 1910’s in Southern Sarasota County
The Women’s Club was a non for profit organization founded in 1915 as the Get Together Club and grew into a major civic force in.Bee Ridge. It’s clubhouse was built in the 1920’s. The club.with eleven charter members,each paying a small fee of 5 cents and one cent monthly. Early activities included visiting new comers, supporting neighbors, and providing a social outlet for women who had moved from.northern.states.
Becoming the Bee Ridge Women’s Club
In 1917, members adopted a constitution and bylaws formally becoming the Bee Ridge Women’s Club.
Building the Club House (1920-1923)
The Women’s Club soon sought a permanent home.
1920 committee searched for a lot
1921 The club purchased Lot 21 for $50 dollars.
Architect John McIntosh designed the club house building
Thomas Crisp began construction in 1922
Construction completed in October, 1923
Construction costs were $1,150.
Building stands at 4919 Andrew
The club house was a vernacular wood frame building.
Club House initially had a front porch. This was later enclosed.
Other additions included kitchen, small meeting room,bathrooms
The building site was a large double lot.
The Hood Building aka the Hood Block, located at 1373-1385 5th Street in Sarasota, Florida is a historic Mediterranean Revival style commercial building constructed in 1925. It is situated near the intersection of Central Avenue. It stands on the central core of what was historically known as Overtown, Sarasota’s first Black community (known as the Historic Rosemary District).
Construction and Original Use
The site was purchased on 2/19/2025 from Levy and Kaye by J. Hood and the McRae –Burns Furniture company, both based out Saint Petersburg, Florida. The building was designed by Saint Petersburg architects name unknown.
Upon completion, the building housed the McRae–Burns Furniture Company. It was managed by Robert Burns. It was advertised in the city directory as “Having Everything for the home.” The business operated out of this location until around 1930 when it moved further down Central Avenue.
The Augustine Era
Sometime shortly after 1930, the property was purchased by Harry Augustine. The Augustine family became major landowners and prominent business figures in this section of the city. Harry Augustine transitioned his business, Sarasota Auto Wrecking to the site. Over the following decades, the location became widely known to locals as Augustine’s Used Auto Parts or Augustine’s junk yard which operated actively through the 1960’s
Fire, Damage and Restoration
By the late 20th century, the building had fallen into severe disrepair, suffering extensive termite and being heavily gutted by a fire. Rather than being demolished, the Hood Block was saved and meticulously restored by local preservationist Paul Ball, who also restored the historic church next door on the corner. Today, the building serves as a surviving visual anchor of the 1920’s land boom era and the rich cultural history of the original Overtown neighborhood
Pioneer Park’s History centers on three major historical sites–the Bidwell–Wood House, Crocker Memorial Church and the Pioneer Whittaker Cemetery–all relocated and preserved there in 2006 as part of Sarasota’s effort to protect its earliest surviving buildings.
Origins of Pioneer’s Historic structures
Bidwell House (1882)– The oldest surviving residence in Sarasota, built by Alfred and Mary Bidwell and later owned Luke and Annie Wood
Croker Memorial Church (1901)–Originally Saint John’s Chapel, built by Peter Crocker and neighbors; later moved multiple times as congregations changed and the city grew
How these buildings came to Pioneer Park
Both the Bidwell House and the Croker Memorial Church were threatened with demolition after rezoning in 2004.. They were donated to the Historical Society of Sarasota County and moved to Pioneer Park in 2006 where they were placed under the Society’s protection. This relocation created a small historic campus within the Park.
Historical Significance of Each Structure
Bidwell–Wood House
Built in 1882, making it Sarasota’s oldest standing residence
Connected to early commerce; Alfred Bidwell ran a store on what is now Cuniff Lane.
Site of a major historical event; the 1884 vigilante murder of Charles Abbe,
tied to land disputes in early Sarasota
Crocker Memorial Church 1901). It was built by Peter Crocker, an early settler who arrived in 1877. Served multiple congregations over decades and was moved several times as Sarasota developed
Decomissioned as a church in 2006 and repurposed as a community gathering space
Pioneer Whitaker Cemetery
A burial site for Sarasota’s earliest pioneer families, located next to the park
Pioneer Park as a Modern Historic Campus
Today Pioneer is :
Home to the Historical Society of Sarasota County, which uses the buildings for lectures, book clubs, concerts, theatrical performances, and community events.
A site of ongoing preservation efforts, including grants to restore the Crocker’s interior and roof
A family friendly public park with a tree-top-inspired park ,sports complex, and a butterfly garden created by Bay Haven School Students
Timeline Summary
1882 Bidwell Wood House built
1901 Crocker Memorial Church built
2004 Rezoning threatens both structures
2006 Both buildings moved to Pioneer Park and placed under Historical Society Stewardship
2019-2020 Butterfly garden and watershed restoration projects added
2019 New play ground built after fire destroyed old one
Crocker Memorial
Interior of Church
Croker Memorial Church
Briandi’s Restaurant 202 Tamiami Trail Nokomis, Fl
Briandi’s Restaurant is a family-owned Italian Restaurant in Nokomis, Florida with roots in Buffalo, New York and long- standing presence in the community since 1989
Origins and Early History
The restaurant was founded in Buffalo, New York by John R. Briondi who established the business to serve Italian dishes passed down through generations. The original Buffalo location became well known for its homemade comfort food and traditional recipes.
Move to Nokomis
In 1989, the Briandi family relocated their operations to Nokomis, Florida opening the current location at 202 Tamiami Trail. This move marked the start of restaurant’s long- term role as a local dining staple, offering the same authentic Italian Cuisine that had been served in Buffalo for decades.
Culinary Tradition Briandi’s is celebrated for its homemade dishes including:
Veal and chicken cutlets
Egg plant parmesan
Fresh Pasta
Brick Oven Pizza
The menu also features seafood specialties (shrimp, clams, and mussels) in signature sauces, steaks and Italian appetizers such as antipasto and buffalo wings.
Community role
Since the Nokomis opening, Briandi’s has been a family friendly dining spot and local institution known for large portions, early bird specials and a welcoming atmosphere.
Unfortunately, the restaurant has recently closed.
