History of Sarasota and the outlying Beach areas
Most notable is the arrival of De Soto to the area - the first European to venture into the American Southwest. Numerous historical references can be found at the visitor centers and local museums - along with the De Soto National Memorial.
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History of Sarasota and Manatee Counties
January 19, 2012
It was really John Ringling and the wintering circus that put Sarasota on the map as a vacation destination. Ringling's real estate ventures were responsible for the development of Lido and Longboat Key.
Exploration of the American Southwest - apart from coastal discovery - began with the ill-fated De Soto Expedition that landed and began its extraordinary adventure at the mouth of the Manatee River in Bradenton.