Sample Historic Sarasota and Manatee County

Sarasota Bay is rich in both natural history as well as pioneer history. The harsh Florida climate makes historical preservation a unique challenge but there are some areas to visit local unique historic sites that have been carefully preserved.

Spanish Point

Historic Spanish Point is a 30-acre museum and environmental preserve located just south of Sarasota in Osprey, Florida. Spanish Points boasts a wealth of historic treasures ranging from 5000-year-old burial mounds to beautifully preserved early settler homes and buildings.

Visitors are treated to well-shaded walking trails along the point featuring several gardens such as the fern garden, butterfly garden, sunken garden, and jungle walk. There are also several restored buildings open to guests to explore that range from the chapel, Point Cottage, Orange Packing House, and boatyard. There are frequent special events held at the site including live demonstrations of pioneer life as well as art and music events.

Walking tours, tram tours, and boat tours are all available.

Please visit their website for additional information on planning your visit: https://www.historicspanishpoint.org/

Palmetto Historical Park

Just 20 minutes north of Sarasota is the Palmetto Historical Park and Preservation site. Palmetto is a town rich in its own history boasting a Civil War Cemetery, dozens of historic homes, as well as Indian burial mounds at Emerson Point Park. Palmetto Historical Park is centered around the recently restored Carnegie Library built in 1914 and is available for free tours.

The park also features an original 1936 One-Room School House, the 1900 Cottage Museum displaying early life in Palmetto, the 1880 Heritage Station Post office, and the Cypress House Military Museum.

Tours are available at no cost, please visit their website for more information: https://palmettohistoricalpark.com/