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, 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.

    

 

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 Inducation

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)

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 Russian\n 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. Initially, the Knights raised cattle inland during the Civil War to protect against thefts. Subsequently, they moved to the coastal areas for better health areas. The Knight’s donated land for the first school and helped build the first chapel in the community.

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.

Whittaker Cemetery is a private cemetery located next to Pioneer Park, Sarasota. It is recognized as the oldest cemetery in Sarasota County

Origins and Early History and Founding Family

The cemetery is the private family burial ground of William Henry Whittaker (1821–1881) and his wife Mary Jane Whittaker ( 1831-1908) William arrived in the area in the 1840’s under the Armed Occupation Act of 1842 and became Sarasota First permanent white settler.

First Burials

The earliest internment occurred in 1879, when the Whittaker’s young daughters Carrie and Grace passed away and were buried near the family home of William Whittaker in 1888.

Family land

The grave yard sat on 8 acres of family property between Hog Creek and 12th Street

20th century Vandalism and Preservation

Fencing and Vault 1910. Charles C. Whittaker of Tampa had the grounds enclosed with concrete block fence and constructed a concrete vault to house the remains of William and Mary Jane Whittaker.

The surrounding 8 acres remained underdeveloped into the 1930’s, during which the cemetery suffered vandalism and damage to the wall and gate.

Transfer to the DAR to ensure long term preservation.

The Whittaker Family decided to deed the cemetery to the Sara DeSota Chapter of the DAR in 1930. The transfer occurred in exchange for DAR’s care and upkeep. The DAR established a chapter house nearby and maintained the cemetery ever since

Mid Century Restoration in 1959

The Whittaker family and the DAR repaired the wall around the cemetery and the vault. On 02/28/1960, The DAR held a dedication ceremony unveiling new iron gates and a name plate presented by Louise Heigel and AK Whittaker

Modern era and Historical Recognition

The cemetery contains 48 used grave sites of Whittaker’s descendants. . There are 41 unused grave sites to be used for verified Whittaker family members

The cemetery was dedicated as a historic site in 2004 by Sarasota County Commissioners who also approved a historical plaque.

The DAR maintains a $60,000 trust for landscaping and upkeep though structural repairs require addition funding.

The cemetery remains privately owned and is not under the Sarasota Historical Society despite its proximity to Pioneer Park and the Crocker Church and Bidwell Wood House