Osprey  School

Osprey School      This historic Osprey School was one of five schools built between 1926-1928 along the Tamiami Trail in Sarasota County.  The architect was M.L. Elliot.  The style is Spanish Colonial Revival.   The building is listed in the National Register of  Historic Places.    This building currently serves as the visitor center for the Historic Spanish Point      The start point for tours of Historic Spanish Point is at the Gazebo.     The burial mound was built by generations of natives who lived in the area from 300-1000.  Human bones and offerings of shark teeth smashed pottery, and other materials were periodically placed on the mound and covered with sand. Same as above Mary’s Chapel Interior Mary’s Chapel      Mary’s Chapel was named for Mary Sherrell.  She was a young woman who was suffering from tuberculosis.  She was a guest at Webb’s Winter Resort while she was recuperating. Unfortunately, she died while at the resort.      The original building was constructed in 1894 as a memorial to Mary Sherrell.  Mary’s family and friends paid for the chapel construction and furnishing. The stained glass was donated.  In 1895, the chapel bell arrived from the New England Conservatory of Music.  Mary’s Chapel served as a non-denominational church and community center until the early 1960’s.  The building has significantly deteriorated.      Gulf Coast Heritage Association restored the Pioneer Graveyard and reconstructed Mary’s Chapel in 1986.  The stained glass windows and the chapel bell were from the original.           The Pioneer Cemetery is located adjacent to Mary’s Chapel.  Interred in the cemetery are members of the Webb family and other pioneers.      In 1901, Frank and Lizzie Webb Guptill built a house on a Sarasota bayfront midden 22 years after they married.  It was built carefully with multiple nautical references such as fish scale shingles, curving bannister, and a second story beachfront porch resembling a ship bow.  Frank was well known for his ship building skills.      At his boat yard, Frank and the Webbs built barges, scoops and schooners.  They also began exporting crops including sugar cane.  By the 1878, their crops included a citrus grove of 300 Orange trees and 50 lemon and like trees.      By 1880, the Wells expanded their activities to a bed and breakfast mostly in the White College. Same as above White Cottage      The White Cottage was built in 1874 by Jack Webb.  In the 1890’s, it became the dormitory for the Webb’s Winter resort.  Currently, the first floor is an exhibit gallery about a former owner Mrs. Potter Palmer.  She used the home for her guests.   The second floor is a research center. Point Cottage was constructed in 1931 for Potter Palmer III and his wife Rose.  It was later occupied by Potter’s sister Rose and her husband Oakleigh Thorne Sarasota Bay Signage