Sarasota, Florida is an affluent retirement community and vacation area.

Sarasota FL History

In 1885, the Florida Mortgage and Investment Company promoted the town of Sarasota to get settlers to come from Scotland. They promised an abundance of fertile land, plentiful citrus groves and affordable housing. Scottish families sailed to Sarasota only to find that it was little more than a frontier camp. Most of the settlers returned to Scotland. John Hamilton Gillespie, a Scottish aristocrat, lawyer and member of the Queen’s Bodyguard for Scotland, chose to stay. Gillespie is credited with buiding America’s first golf course, located right in Sarasota. Gillespie also built the upscale DeSoto Hotel for tourists and prospective investors. In 1902, he was elected Sarasota’s first mayor.

As early as 1910, Sarasota began attracting some of America’s most wealthy. Historic Spanish Point was once the posh waterfront winter estate and gardens of Bertha Palmer, widow of Chicago developer Potter Palmer. What is now Myakka River State Park was once Palmer’s 30,000-acre ranch in eastern Sarasota. John Ringling, of Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus built a magnificent Venetian-style mansion on Sarasota Bay. In 1927, the circus’ winter quarters were moved to Sarasota, branding the area as a “ circus town.”

Sarasota Florida – Affluent Florida Vacation Community

Today, Sarasota Florida is one of the largest, most affluent areas in Southwest Florida. For your convenience, Senior Travel Genie provides resources for resorts, restaurants and much more in Sarasota.