Just off the coast of Sarasota, Florida is a barrier island known as Lido Key. Beautiful, white sandy beaches surround a thriving city with plenty of activities to enjoy year round. Deep sea fishing, dolphin watching and sailing is just a few of the activities that Lido Beach is famous for. Terrific shopping at the upscale boutiques and fine dining at some of Florida's best restaurant's are found on the island. Both Sarasota and St. Armands Circle are only minutes away should you want to venture to the mainland.
Lido Key has a rich and interesting history that includes Indians, a wealthy widower and a circus owner. The Paleo and Calusa Indian made Lido Key and the surrounding areas their home for over 4000 years. The fishing and hunting in the region was abundant. For reasons unknown, these people left or disappeared from the area. In the 1500's, Spanish Explorers arrived in the area searching for gold and silver but didn't stay. The United States acquired Florida in 1821 and by 1824 settlers were moving into the area but they were few and far between.
The Scottish group, Florida Mortgage and Investment Group, purchased 50,000 acres of land near Sarasota in 1885. The city of Sarasota was plotted and designed in Edinburg. Land sales were made in England and Scotland beginning in 1885. When landowners arrived in Florida, they didn't see the fruit groves, vegetable gardens or fancy homes that they had been promised and didn't stay. Florida Mortgage and Investment Group sent John Hamilton Gillespie to the area to fix the problems that the landowners were complaining about. Gillespie built the DeSoto Hotel on Main Street in Lido Keys and the first golf course in the United States in Sarasota. He also arranged for quality homes and buildings to be built but despite all of this fisherman were all that would stay on Lido Key Island.
Bertha Potter Palmer purchased the island along with 30,000 acres near Sarasota in 1910. With her influence, wealthy individuals began to discover the beauty of the Sarasota area. John Ringling purchased Lido Key, St. Armands, Bird and most of Longboat Key in the 1920's and had bridges built to connect them. Sarasota was the winter home of the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus.
A Ritz Carlton was built on Longboat Key and St. Armands was transformed into an international shopping destination. The streets on Lido Key were renamed after American presidents and a state-of-the-art pool was built beside the Radisson Hotel, which is still there.
Lido Key has an easy-going, laid back tropical island feel. Shopping and restaurants add a certain charm that makes Lido Key appealing. Several galleries and museums are in the area as well as a considerable amount of parks that offer nature trails and picnic shelters. Numerous golf courses are in the area as well as tennis courts for the athletic minded. Casual dockside restaurants and beach bars dot the island while upscale fine dining can be found high above in the tops of several buildings. Enjoy marine life at the Mote Marine Laboratory/aquarium. St. Armands Circle offers world class shopping where everyone will be able to find something. Car and art shows are frequently held here in the inner circle.
Lido Key is a small island so housing option are limited. You will notice the diversity of single family homes. There are grand beach front estates worth in excess of $10 million as well as cozy cottages near the beach that start around $500,000. There are many fabulous Lido Key condos ranging from small, inexpensive efficiencies all the way to palatial penthouses overlooking the the beach and Gulf of Mexico.
The island of Lido Key is place of relaxation. No where else will you be able to go on a beach picnic then take a kayak ride in the mangrove trails and close the day by enjoying a gourmet dinner while watching a breathtaking sunset over the ocean.
Lido Key has a rich and interesting history that includes Indians, a wealthy widower and a circus owner. The Paleo and Calusa Indian made Lido Key and the surrounding areas their home for over 4000 years. The fishing and hunting in the region was abundant. For reasons unknown, these people left or disappeared from the area. In the 1500's, Spanish Explorers arrived in the area searching for gold and silver but didn't stay. The United States acquired Florida in 1821 and by 1824 settlers were moving into the area but they were few and far between.
The Scottish group, Florida Mortgage and Investment Group, purchased 50,000 acres of land near Sarasota in 1885. The city of Sarasota was plotted and designed in Edinburg. Land sales were made in England and Scotland beginning in 1885. When landowners arrived in Florida, they didn't see the fruit groves, vegetable gardens or fancy homes that they had been promised and didn't stay. Florida Mortgage and Investment Group sent John Hamilton Gillespie to the area to fix the problems that the landowners were complaining about. Gillespie built the DeSoto Hotel on Main Street in Lido Keys and the first golf course in the United States in Sarasota. He also arranged for quality homes and buildings to be built but despite all of this fisherman were all that would stay on Lido Key Island.
Bertha Potter Palmer purchased the island along with 30,000 acres near Sarasota in 1910. With her influence, wealthy individuals began to discover the beauty of the Sarasota area. John Ringling purchased Lido Key, St. Armands, Bird and most of Longboat Key in the 1920's and had bridges built to connect them. Sarasota was the winter home of the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus.
A Ritz Carlton was built on Longboat Key and St. Armands was transformed into an international shopping destination. The streets on Lido Key were renamed after American presidents and a state-of-the-art pool was built beside the Radisson Hotel, which is still there.
Lido Key has an easy-going, laid back tropical island feel. Shopping and restaurants add a certain charm that makes Lido Key appealing. Several galleries and museums are in the area as well as a considerable amount of parks that offer nature trails and picnic shelters. Numerous golf courses are in the area as well as tennis courts for the athletic minded. Casual dockside restaurants and beach bars dot the island while upscale fine dining can be found high above in the tops of several buildings. Enjoy marine life at the Mote Marine Laboratory/aquarium. St. Armands Circle offers world class shopping where everyone will be able to find something. Car and art shows are frequently held here in the inner circle.
Lido Key is a small island so housing option are limited. You will notice the diversity of single family homes. There are grand beach front estates worth in excess of $10 million as well as cozy cottages near the beach that start around $500,000. There are many fabulous Lido Key condos ranging from small, inexpensive efficiencies all the way to palatial penthouses overlooking the the beach and Gulf of Mexico.
The island of Lido Key is place of relaxation. No where else will you be able to go on a beach picnic then take a kayak ride in the mangrove trails and close the day by enjoying a gourmet dinner while watching a breathtaking sunset over the ocean.