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Sarasota Magazine

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Sarasota History

Talking Walls

A New Mural of Irene and Lewis Colson Is Part of Sarasota's New 'Call for Walls' Initiative

The new initiative brings murals—and local history—into the heart of city neighborhoods, one wall at a time.

06/12/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Wild Times

How a Bizarre Promotional Gimmick Changed Local Radio

“We were such idiots. What you heard on the radio? We were that dumb.”

06/02/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Mira Mar 2.0

Sarasota City Commission Clears the Way for an 18-Story Mixed-Use Project to Move Forward

After hours of presentations from the applicant, opponents and public comment, commissioners unanimously approved a comprehensive plan amendment at yesterday's legislative meeting.

05/20/2025 By Kim Doleatto

History's Here

Check Out the Winners of This Year’s Sarasota County Heritage Awards

The winners are champions of local historic preservation and adaptive reuse, historical research, archaeological conservancy and more.

05/13/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Calendar Girls

How Sarasota Artist Gil Elvgren Helped Define the Pin-Up Aesthetic

Elvgren lived and worked on Siesta Key from the 1950s until his death in 1980.

04/14/2025 By Clayton Trutor

Maine Attraction

How a Fixer Upper in South Sarasota Was Converted Into a Historic Treasure

Located at 2525 Ashton Road, it’s nestled in a neighborhood with deep local roots: the Maine Colony Historic District, which came to be around 1916.

04/01/2025 By Kim Doleatto

History Now

With New Land Deal, Sarasota African American Cultural Center Moves Closer to Becoming Reality

City of Sarasota commissioners approved an "option to purchase" deal this week, paving the way for the long-awaited museum and arts hub.

03/06/2025 By Kim Doleatto

At the Movies

Flashback: 'Honky Tonk Freeway' Set, 1980

A critical and box office failure at the time of its 1981 release, the comedy "Honky Tonk Freeway," which was partly filmed in Sarasota, is due for reappraisal.

03/06/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Flashback

Photo: Venice Drive-In Church, 1955

Designed by architect Victor Lundy and built in 1955, it was featured in a photo spread published by Life magazine in April of that year.

01/17/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Preservation Nation

These Threatened Local Buildings Were Just Nominated as Landmarks Worth Saving

The Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation highlighted these historic buildings as part of its fifth annual “Six to Save” initiative.

12/17/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Spared!

Local Leaders Strike Deal to Save the Colson Hotel for Good

Recently slated for demolition to make way for new townhomes, the historic hotel in the Rosemary District has officially been saved.

12/17/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Flashback

The Pinecraft Eat'n House Served Coffee, Fried Chicken and Pies to the Community

The restaurant was one of several businesses that sprang up on Bahia Vista Street in the 1950s.

12/06/2024 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Flashback

Did You Know That Bob Dylan First Recorded 'Mr. Tambourine Man' on Siesta Key?

Dylan was staying at the home of friend and fellow musician Eric von Schmidt when the recording was made.

09/01/2024 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Listening to Black Voices

Walter Gilbert on Growing up in Newtown, Community Activism and the State of DEI

"Everyone should have an opportunity to be as good as they can be. We all have to be willing to stand up and say some things out loud."

08/20/2024 By Heather Dunhill

🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎

Black Stallion Author Walter Farley Built a Vibrant Life in Venice

The author of the beloved books about protagonist Alec Ramsey and his horse moved to south Sarasota County in 1950 and spent the rest of his life there.

08/14/2024 By Clayton Trutor

Throwback

Photos: 125 Years of Sarasota Swimsuits

Oh, how times have changed! As we enter the dog days of summer, let's take a look back at a century of Sarasota swimwear.

07/05/2024 By Megan McDonald

Springs Forward

North Port Commissioners Vote Against Demolishing Historic Structures at Warm Minerals Springs

The public turned out in droves to urge the city to preserve the site's structures, and commissioners voted unanimously to explore options outside of demolition.

05/29/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Moving Target

The Historic McAlpin Home Must Be Moved or Demolished—With a Condition

City of Sarasota commissioners finally decided on the fate of the historically designated 112-year-old home at yesterday's meeting.

05/07/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Overtown

Sarasota Historic Preservation Board Denies Permit to Demolish Historic Hotel Built During Segregation

The 1926-built Colson Hotel in the Rosemary District has been spared for now.

04/10/2024 By Kim Doleatto

A Tasteful Facelift

The Van Wezel Estate Gets a New Life Following a Full Restoration

Take a peek into the historic home of the couple behind Sarasota's premier performing arts hall.

03/20/2024 By Emma Moneuse

At Sarasota Magazine, we celebrate Sarasota’s vibrant culture, rich history, and bright future with award-winning, high-quality content that captures the spirit of our community.

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