Historic Spanish Point, Sarasota County, FL
University of Florida	Aquatic, Wetland and Invasive Plant Information Retrieval System

Contributions to the Historic Spanish Point picture collection are welcome. Send your slide(s) to the APIRS office by mail, or E-mail your scanned slide to CAIP-WEBSITE@ufl.edu

These are images of Historic Spanish Point, in Sarasota County, Florida.

Historic Spanish Point is a 30-acre site which juts into the waters of Little Sarasota Bay. It is bordered by mangroves on its west and pine flatwoods (and a residential neighborhood) to the east.


Historic Spanish Point was first occupied as early as 3,000 BC as evidenced, as evidenced by a prehistoric burial mound and two shell mounds. In 1867, pioneers John and Eliza Webb settled on the property, planting 10 acres in citrus and vegetables. Their homestead included a citrus packing house, a boat building operation, and Webb's Winter Resort where boarders from the north would stay. In 1910, Bertha Palmer, widow of Chicago magnate Potter Palmer, designed her winter estate and gardens at Historic Spanish Point. In 1980 the Gulf Coast Heritage Association obtained the site, which was the first property in Sarasota County to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places.


Visitors have the opportunity to explore the entire site, including the "Window to the Past" archaeology exhibit housed inside the prehistoric shell mound, the pioneer Guptill House, citrus packing house, Mary's Chapel and the pioneer cemetery, and four beautifully restored gardens from the winter estate of Mrs. Palmer. Nature trails connect the historic buildings and gardens set among the live oaks, mastics and gumbo-limbo trees.


Historic Spanish Point is open to the public daily. For more information, contact Historic Spanish Point, Gulf Coast Heritage Association, Inc., 337 North Tamiami Trail, POB 846, Osprey, FL 34229; (941) 966-5214.


Or visit their web site at: http://www.historicspanishpoint.org

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