SARASOTA COUNTY (WSNN) – This month marks 100 years for Sarasota County. July first, 1921 is when Sarasota County broke away from Manatee County and became it’s own.
The county wanted to focus on localizing tax dollars for roads, bridges, and schools.
John Gillespie, Bertha Palmer, and the Ringlings were major players in helping make the county become what it is today.
“It’s absolutely incredible,” Sarasota County Historical Resources Manager Rob Bendus said. “I think it doesn’t seem that long, but it’s a long time for this area because Florida was the frontier and we were one of the last places developed. But 100 years is a long the and we’ve had a lot of history since then.”
The county is celebrating its birth with the birth of the nation this weekend. Saturday, there will be an event at the Selby Library, and Sunday, county employees will be in the 4th of July Parade.
And the county’s centennial closing reception will be July 15th at 11 am at Warm Mineral Springs.
