Origin of the Name “Sarasota.”
Legend connects it with Sara, reputedly the daughter of the conquistador, DeSoto. Others have theorized the name may have originated with an Indian word, “sara-se-cota,” meaning a landfall easily observed. Maps in the 1700’s showed the area as “Porte Sarasote” and “Sarazota”. It is also said a fishing camp and Indian trading post at the end of Longboat Key was called “Saraxota.”
Sarasota was incorporated as a town on October 14, 1902. To discover more about Sarasota History visit the History & Preservation Coalition of Sarsasota County.