PHILLIPPI Preview

START YOUR TOUR HERE: Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar, 5353 S Tamiami Trail

I am Marilyn Gerkin and on behalf of the Sarasota County Centennial 2021 Committee, I want to thank you for taking the time to discover some of the history of Sarasota County that you may not be aware of. Our hope is that you will become more interested in the history and will do your part to make the next 100 years something that future generations will be proud of. These tours would not be possible without the generous contributions of our sponsors.

Our tour begins at Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar, 5353 S Tamiami Trail (parking) According to the legends from the owners of the Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar, around 1569 A.D. Fernando D. Phillippi sailed his ship, “Philly P” up the creek. Fernando was a shrewd real estate investor. Some of the piers you see in front of the restaurant are still the original pilings installed by Fernado’s cousin, Pepe. The Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar is actually the foot print of the converted winter home of the Phillippi family and has changed little since being built. Fernando D. Phillippi was last seen in 1619 during Hurricane Maria. The ship was visible off Island Park, which is located in downtown Sarasota at the Bayfront. Even now on moonlit nights, people claim a ghostly vision of the “Philly P” can be seen sailing up the creek without a paddle.

Another legend concerns Felipe Bermudez. A Spaniard who had a rancho near the creek and shipped hogs and smoked mullet back to Cuba. The Army Corps of Engineers platted the creek in 1847 and named it after “Felipe”, which was anglicized it to Phillippi.

The need for roads was a major factor for Sarasota breaking away from Manatee County to create a new county. The “Good Roads” movement had been initiated when the automobile was becoming a new means of transportation in the early 1900’s. The “Tamiami Trailblazers” were instrumental in building the Tamiami Trail, which connected Tampa and Miami, on the section through Sarasota. Here in the parking lot of Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar was the asphalt plant to build the Tamiami Trail. Sand, stone and gravel are main ingredients of asphalt and were readily available from Phillippi Creek. Phillippi Creek runs throughout Sarasota County and flows into Sarasota Bay.

Directions To Our Next Stop:

From parking lot turn Right on first cross street which is Tamiami Trl/US41.

Go approximately 1.8 miles. We will be passing the Bayside Dairy historic marker and will be talking more about it at our stop at Phillippi Estate Park.

I'd like to mention local artist Richard Capes. You can view his artwork in this app. Richard Capes moved to Sarasota in 1974 and has contributed to historic preservation by capturing a moment in time, sometimes just before the wrecking ball swings into action. History has always been a great interest and it was natural to combine the two in Sarasota.
During his career, Capes has created dozens of images of historical places in pen and ink drawings, watercolor and acrylic, such as the Dr. C. B. Wilson House in Urfer Family Park, which is included on our Bee Ridge auto tour.
“That historic structure represents the challenge of working on an old building,” said Richard Capes. “First you have to determine the right angle to feature. I settled on a three-quarter view because it showed off the chimney, which is important. Then, there’s getting the detail of the trim and stonework right. It took a great deal of forethought and a lot of concentrated time to make it authentic for historic documentation, but also successful as a signature work of art.”
Richard has documented old churches, schools, train stations, courthouses, humble homes and grand ones, such as Ca’ d’Zan, one of his most popular subjects and one that he has painted many times. Capes’ paintings have been reproduced on posters, note cards and prints. His book on familiar Siesta Key landmarks remains a popular seller.
“I do a lot of research before I start a painting on a historic building,” says Capes. “And sometimes I have to do it fast; I did a painting of the old Mira Mar Hotel just ahead of the wrecking ball. And I was on the board that tried to save the John Ringling Towers. That building was a great loss to preservation efforts in this town. I painted it for the first time in 1974 and rendered it often over the years from many different angles and in several media. I miss it.”
“The Guptill House and Mary’s Chapel at Selby Gardens Historic Spanish Point are special to me,” he admits. “And I love Edson Keith’s farmhouse at Phillippi Estate Park, the Orange Blossom Hotel and, of course, the New Pass Bait Shop. That little building conveyed what life was like in old-time Florida. A lot of artists were sorry to see that piece of history disappear.”

Go past Trader Joe’s....
Just past the Bee Ridge/Tamiami Trail intersection
Enter parking lot at McDonald’s and go past drive-through to the back.....

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Go past Drive-Thru,
Make a Right turn into the cemetery parking lot.
St John’s/Crocker Cemetery will be in front of you. There will be a
“Cemetery Parking" sign here to listen to the audio.
The best way to see the cemetery: walk thru the gate by the LITTLE Cemetery parking sign to walk around.

St John’s Chapel Cemetery, 2025 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, (parking) in 1872, Peter Crocker & his family settled in this remote location. There was no town & the area was still part of Manatee County. There were only three houses between theirs & the town of Manatee. Peter would walk to town of Manatee for provisions & carry them home on his back. Peter was energetic serving as postmaster & school director, but was most proud of the little white church he built. The church building was disassembled in 1927 & moved to Old Bradenton Rd to become a house of worship for the Bay Haven Baptist Church. Peter Crocker is buried here on the land he loved which he shares his resting place with people who are forever nameless. He would have liked that.

This location was known as the Crocker Graveyard from when it was established in the the1870’s. In 1901, it was renamed St Johns Chapel Cemetery. A group of dedicated individual worked to clean the headstones & clear the overgrowth in the cemetery. This cemetery was locally referred to as “the poor folks” or paupers’ graveyard or pioneers graveyard. In 1999, there was a dedication of sign, fence & Peter Crocker Headstone.

Directions St Johns to Sarasota High School:

Exit parking lot back out to Tamiami Trail
Turn Right
Go approximately 2 miles

(Audio will continue as you travel)

For your Navigator:
Just Past Siesta Dr, Webber Street and Sarasota Memorial Hospital on the Left, stay in the Right lane
Go through traffic light at Bahia Vista Street, just past Saba Plaza
Turn Right into parking lot at Ringling College Museum Campus, 1001 Tamiami Trail, the building was the former home of Sarasota High School.

Pass Siesta Dr,

Pass Webber Street

Sarasota Memorial Hospital will be on the Left,

Stay in the Right lane

Go through traffic light at Bahia Vista Street....

Stay in the Right lane

Just past SABA PLAZA

Turn Right into parking lot at Ringling College Museum Campus, 1001 Tamiami Trail, the building was the former home of Sarasota High School.

Directions St Johns to Sarasota High School: Exit parking lot back out to Tamiami Trail, turn Right go approximately 2 miles, past Siesta Dr, Webber St, Sarasota Memorial Hospital on the Left, stay in the Right lane, go through traffic light at Bahia Vista St, just past Saba Plaza turn Right into parking lot at Ringling College Museum Campus, 1001 Tamiami Trail, the building was the former home of Sarasota High School.

Sarasota High School, 1001 Tamiami Trail: (parking) the first school built in Sarasota was built in 1878 & was located on Main St. The school was moved several times & opened at this location in 1927. At that time the school was recognized as one of the most modern and up-to-date in the entire South, with individual steel lockers set in walls and a clock in each room for the 1000 students. There were laboratories for physics, chemistry, natural sciences, mechanical drawing and domestic (home economics) science. The business department had typewriters, the music department had pianos and art classes were also included. Old Army barracks were set back about 30 feet from the building, which were used as the cafeteria and vocational shop.

In 1996, the school expanded to its new location behind this location. There was quite a movement to preserve the building. The community is very fortunate that Ringling College Museum Campus has repurposed this building. There is a cost if you would like to visit the Museum at a later date.

On the way to our next stop, we will pass Selby Gardens.
Selby Gardens, near the turn onto Orange Ave, was the former home and gardens of William and Marie Selby. They were quite successful in the oil and mineral business and set up a Foundation to generously benefit the community. Marie was a passionate gardener and they established the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for the enjoyment of the general public. Selby Gardens is dedicated to the display and study of orchids and other tropical plants. You may want to add Selby Gardens to your list of places to visit on another day.

To our next stop:​

Exit parking lot, turn Right on Tamiami Trail

Go 1 block, Taco Bell will be on corner

Turn Right on Browning St,

(Audio directions will continue as you travel.)

If you prefer, USE YOUR GPS or have your Navigator/Passenger follow these directions:

Sarasota High School to Nora Patterson Bay Island Park, 946 Siesta Dr,

Exit parking lot, turn Right on Tamiami Trail

Go 1 block, Taco Bell will be on corner

Turn Right on Browning St,

Go 1 block, curve Left on East Ave,

Go 1 block on Bay St,

Turn Right at light on Tamiami Trail, (name changes to Mound St) Immediately get in left lane

Turn Left at light on Orange Ave (third traffic light) in .7 miles, (the back entrance to Selby Gardens is here)

Stay on Orange Ave .9 miles, be sure to slow down for the speed bumps in this area, (it will merge into McClellan Pkwy go .4 mile)

Turn Right at stop sign on S Osprey Ave

Go .6, there will be a gas station & bank at the corner

Turn Right at light at Siesta Dr,

Go .9 mile, cross over the bridge,

Turn left immediately after crossing the bridge into the Nora Patterson Bay Island Park into the parking lot.

Turn Right on Browning St, before Taco Bell, we are taking you to a light for a safe turn on Rt 41

Go 1 block, curve to the Left on East Ave,

At the 1st stop sign, turn L on Bay. Go 1 block

On the L was a former Howard Johnson restaurant, an ice cream chain that was popular in the 1960 & 70’s for their 28 flavors; on the R the Publix store was the former home of the Sarasota Herald Tribune.

Turn Right at light on Rt 41 North Tamiami Trail, (name changes to Mound St)

Immediately get in left lane

Turn Left at light on Orange Ave (third traffic light) in 7/10 miles,

Turn Left at light on Orange Ave

Stay on Orange Ave. for 9/10 mile. Be sure to slow down for the speed bumps in this area, it will merge into McClellan Pkwy go 4/10 mile

Stay on Orange Ave it will merge into McClellan Pkwy and go 4/10 mile

Turn Right at stop sign on S Osprey Ave. Go 6/10 mile,

You will pass Southside School which opened its doors in 1926, which was one of several schools built in the county land boom in the 1920’s. Tampa architect, M. Leo Elliott, designed this and several other schools, which included richly ornamented Mediterranean Revival style. At that time, Southside featured open hallways around an interior courtyard, a barrel tile roof and separate arched portals to boys and girls playgrounds.

You will also pass Cherokee Park on the right, where the home of J. C. Brown, named “Cherokee Lodge” was located in his dream development Cherokee Park. Brown was a silk manufacturer born in Scotland. The beautiful home was designed by Thomas Reed Martin and completed in 1926 at a reported cost of $500,000. The home was demolished in1962 when canal front lots were developed.

There will be a gas station & bank at the corner

Turn Right at light at Siesta Dr,

There will be a gas station & bank at the corner

Turn Right at light at Siesta Dr,

Go .9 mile, cross over the bridge,

Turn LEFT immediately after crossing the bridge into the Nora Patterson Bay Island Park into the parking lot.

Turn LEFT immediately after crossing the bridge into the Nora Patterson Bay Island Park into the parking lot.

Sarasota High School to Nora Patterson Bay Island Park, 946 Siesta Dr.Exit parking lot, turn Right on Tamiami TrailGo 1 block, Taco Bell will be on cornerTurn Right on Browning St,Go 1 block, curve Left on East Ave, Go 1 block on Bay St, Turn Right at light on Tamiami Trail, (name changes to Mound St) get in left laneTurn Left at light on S Orange Ave.In .7 miles, Selby Gardens will be on the corner of Orange Ave. There is an admission charge & you may want to take a tour of these beautiful gardens at another time. Stay on S. Orange Ave .9 miles, (it will merge into McClellan Pkwy go .4 mile)Turn Right at stop sign on S Osprey Ave Go .6, there will be a gas station & bank at the cornerTurn Right at light at Siesta Dr, Go .9 mile, cross over the bridge, Turn left immediately after crossing the bridge into the Nora Patterson Bay Island Park into the parking lot.

At this Bay Island Park stop we have a lot of information to share with you, so be sure to find a parking place where you can enjoy the view of the water while you listen to the audio.

Nora Patterson Bay Island Park, 946 Siesta Dr, Sarasota (parking & restroom) Siesta Key has a total area of 3.5 square miles and is made up of four main districts: Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach, Turtle Beach, and Siesta Key Village. The Travel Channel and Dr. Beach have recognized it as “The Best Beach in America”. These awards are because the sand on Siesta beach is 99 percent quartz and mostly comes from the Appalachian Mountains. This makes it reflective to the extent that it feels cold underfoot even in the hottest of days. To experience a bit of the local culture, join the weekly drum circle held at Siesta Beach just south of the pavilion that is held every Sunday about 1 hour before sunset. Another popular public event is the Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sand Sculpting Competition, where you can see various pieces of art created from the beach’s fine sand. This tour has only brought you to the very northern tip of the island, but definitely worth a visit at another time.

From the early 1800s and early 1900s, Siesta Key was known by a variety of names. The first attempt to develop the key was by Siesta Land Company in 1907 consisting of Harry Higel, Captain Louis Roberts and E M Arbogast. The northern end of the key was platted as “Siesta on the Gulf” as well as dredging bayous and building docks. The only access to Siesta Key was by boat or ferry, until the first bridge was built in 1917 and replaced in 1927. A bridge was also added on the south end of the key, which was known as the Stickney Point Bridge. That bridge, as well as, Stickney Point Rd were named after Ben Stickney, who was loved for hosting popular picnics. Ben opened the Roberts Hotel (later Siesta Inn) in 1906. In 1952, the entire key was recognized as Siesta Key.

Siesta Key was promoted as a tropical island in Sarasota Bay. Locals erected shoreline beach huts used as changing stations and to gather for sing-alongs, roasting marshmallows and sitting in front of campfires. The key was the first to offer day-trippers recreational activities.

Harry Higel opened the Higelhurst Hotel on Big Pass in 1915. The hotel burned to the ground, while Harry watched the blaze from the shoreline with tears streaming down his cheeks. Harry was brutally bludgeoned to death in 1921. An arrest was made, but the defendant was declared innocent and the case has never been solved.

I.G. Archibald and A. B. Edwards, who was the first mayor of Sarasota, created the heart-shaped Palm Island, which was referred to as the “heart of Siesta” and was created out of a dredging project. I. G. Archibald’s son, Frank, has the reputation of destroying Sarasota’s first roundabout in the center of Five Points by accidently smashing into it with his father’s Model T Ford.

During the real estate boom of the Roaring ‘20s, Siesta Key had the Mira Mar Casino, Sarasota’s Exclusive Nightclub, the Archibald bathing pavilion and the Gulf View Inn with its rustic interior, that had a pond in the center of the lobby with alligators milling about.

This park is the perfect place to bring a fishing pole and a picnic lunch while watching the boats on the Intercoastal Waterway. You could also come by boat and tie up at the dock. What a perfect location to enjoy the serene setting of this beautiful area. Be sure and take note of the Sarasota skyline.

If you look across the bay, to the right of the bridge, you can see the community of San Remo.

This waterfront subdivision took over 30 years to come to fruition. It was platted during the 1920’s “boom”, but not established as a neighborhood until the 1950’s. Edith Atkinson, an early female attorney and first female judge in Dade County, and John Kerns purchased the property that was later sold to Michael Schiavone, who was from Chicago. In 1925, the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce ratified a resolution to support the development of “San Remo”.

Directions from Nora Patterson Bay Island Park to Phillippi Estates Park

Exit Parking lot, turn Right on Siesta Dr. and go back over bridge approx/ 7/10 mile.

TAKE THE 6th RIGHT turn, just past Palonia Court, on CAMINO REAL
again, it's the 6th street on the right after the bridge.

Look for a white fence and Bus Stop sign.

Turn Right on Camino Real

Go approximately 1 ½ miles, go past roundabout at Fortuna/Granada,

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Complete written directions (For your passenger/Navigator):

Go past stops signs at Bay Rd and Kenilworth St, entering Oyster Bay where Camino Real is curvy with roundabouts at N Lakeshore and S Lakeshore.

Turn Left at stop sign on Field Rd approximately 1/2 mile, on corner will be Karl Ehmer Deli and Alpine Steakhouse, which is the home of “TurDucKen” which consist of a boneless turkey, stuffed with a boneless chicken and a boneless duck, which has been featured the Food Network,

Turn Right on Tamiami Trail approximately

Go 1.2 mile cross over Phillippi Creek.

Turn Right at light opposite Constitution Blvd, which is the entrance to Phillippi Estates Park.

Follow the driveway up to the Mansion, where the Historic Marker is located to listen to audio.

TAKE THE RIGHT turn, just past Palonia Court, on CAMINO REAL
Look for a white fence and Bus Stop sign.

On Camino Real Go approximately 1 1/2 miles,

go past roundabout at Fortuna & Granada,

Go past stop signs at Bay Rd & Kenilworth Streets.

Go past stop sign at Kenilworth St, entering Oyster Bay where Camino Real is curvy with roundabouts at N Lakeshore and S Lakeshore Drive.

On the way to our next stop we will be passing the Field Club on the right corner of Camino Real and Field Rd.

Bertha Palmer’s son, Honore, married one of Stanley Fields' sisters and the family frequently visited Sarasota. In 1925 construction was started for their winter home that they named “Wealaka”, which is the Indian name for “Laughing Waters”. In 1957, the home was sold with the instructions that the home would be used as a club. The outside of the house has the same appearance, but the interior is vastly different. It is now an exclusive private club known as the Field Club.

Turn Left at stop sign on Field Rd Field Club will be on the right.

Go approximately 1/2 mile...

On the corner will be Karl Ehmer's Deli and Alpine Steakhouse, which is the home of “TurDucKen” which consist of a boneless turkey, stuffed with a boneless chicken and a boneless duck, which has been featured the Food Network.

Turn Right on Tamiami Trail Go approximately 1.2 miles, cross over Phillippi Creek.

Cross over Phillippi Creek.

Turn Right at light opposite Constitution Blvd, which is the entrance to Phillippi Estate Park.

Turn Right at light opposite Constitution Blvd, which is the entrance to Phillippi Estate Park.

Follow the driveway up to the Mansion, where the Historic Marker is located.

Directions Bay Island Park to Phillippi Estate Park: Exit parking lot, turn Right on Siesta Dr, go back over bridge approximately .7 mile. Turn R on Camino Real approximately 1 ½ miles, go past roundabout at Fortuna/Granada, go past stops signs at Bay Rd and Kenilworth St, entering Oyster Bay where Camino Real is curvy with roundabouts at N Lakeshore and S Lakeshore. L at stop sign on Field Rd approximately 1/2 mile, on corner will be Karl Ehmer Deli and Alpine Steakhouse, which is the home of “TurDucKen” which consist of a boneless turkey, stuffed with a boneless chicken and a boneless duck, which has been featured the Food Network, R on Tamiami Trl approximately 1.2 mile cross over Phillippi Creek. Turn R at light opposite Constitution Blvd, which is the entrance to Phillippi Estates Park. Follow the driveway up to the Mansion, where the Historic Marker is located to listen to audio.

Phillippi Estate Park & Edson Keith House, 5500 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota: (parking & restrooms) People have been on the property for 5,000 years with nomads hunting, fishing and gathering before moving on. The Manasota Indians had an encampment on the shell midden 2,500 years ago, and there are interpretive signage around the midden explaining the archaeology and history of the property.

Phillippi Estate Park, home of Edson and Nettie Keith from Chicago, built their Italian Renaissance home on Phillippi Creek in 1916. In 1921, the I. G. Archibald family with their five children and neighbors, the Copps, were marooned under a tree on Siesta Key during the horrific hurricane that ravaged Siesta Key and Sarasota mainland. A rescue party swam the raging waters of Phillippi Creek to get to Edson Keiths home to borrow one of his boats and bring the castaways to safety. Mrs. Archibald was, understandably, a nervous wreck when the frightened little group was taken by boat to the Keith home. The Keiths turned their home into a makeshift hospital to care for the survivors of the hurricane. There are also tales of families on Siesta Key stranded on their rooftops holding their children above their heads, as the water swirled below when the rescuers arrived by boat to save them.

The second owner, also from Chicago, was Mae Hansen Prodie who created the Mae Marie doll company and designed accessories for Barbie dolls. After her death in 1986, Sarasota County purchased the 60-acre estate for $5.2 million dollars and it became a county park with playground, shoreline walking trails, and a gazebo for concerts, birthday parties and family gatherings. There are 2 fishing piers and a kayak launch. There is a walking audio tour you may want to consider taking on a future visit to the park. Be sure to take the time to read the historic marker in front of the mansion.

Across Phillippi Creek, Honore Palmer built a lavish home in what today is the Landings Housing Development. Honore named his home "Immokalee" which is Seminole Indian for "my home." The home was full of beautiful objects, paintings, oriental rugs and art treasures. Unfortunately, it burned in 1921 before the fire trucks could arrive.

Looking past where the Honore Palmer home was located was the historic marker for the Bayside Dairy,

According to Doris Bispham (sounds like “bisfum”), Jackson & Kathryn Bispham raised pigs, chickens and farmed on Longboat Key. In 1919, Kathryn was appointed postmistress and earned $83.19 for the entire 2 years & 3 months she was in that position. The hurricane of 1921 came ashore & they huddled in a boat that was tied to the mangroves while the hurricane destroyed their home.
They then moved to the mainland in Oyster Bay near Field Rd. In 1922, they started the Bayside Dairy, here at what is now the Landings, with 8 cows on rented property for the cost of 1 quart of milk a day. The cows would roam down to the Sarasota Bay, where a fence had to be erected to keep them from drinking the saltwater because it would sour their milk. They bottled the milk & sold raw, pasteurized & homogenized milk to schools and restaurants. There was no refrigeration, so they also delivered milk twice a day to homes. Workers lived at the farmhouse and were paid $1 per day plus room and board. The dairy was moved several times and each time the number of cows increased.

In 1948, there were only 3 cottages on Siesta Key, and the Bispham family would ride their horses over the wooden turn-style Stickney Point Bridge to go to the beach. The bridge tender had to use a manual crank to open and close the bridge for water traffic. In the 1970’s, a new bridge was built a short distance to the north of the Old Stickney Point Rd.

Imagine when there was a time when you could drive a car on what is now Stickney Point/Clark Rd from Tamiami Trail to Hawkins Rd east of town, which is more than 6 miles and never see another car!

This is the last stop on this tour. We would like to thank Friends of Sarasota County Parks for sponsoring this tour. Please tell your friends about these tours and drive the other Centennial tours so you can learn more of the history of Sarasota County. Drive carefully and have a great day!