Downtown Sarasota Historic District, Historic district in Sarasota, Florida.
Downtown Sarasota Historic District covers roughly 19 acres with more than 50 buildings constructed between 1909 and 1959. The area spans between 1st Street, Orange Avenue, State Street, Gulf Stream Avenue, and North Pineapple Avenue, displaying various American architectural styles from that era.
The district grew during Sarasota's early development between 1909 and 1959, as the city transformed from a trading post into a more prosperous place. Official recognition as a historic area came in 2009 to protect the building styles and structures accumulated over those decades.
The Opera House, once called the Edwards Theatre, stands among other protected structures that define the district's character. Walking through, you notice how these buildings reflect the design preferences of different generations who built and shaped the area.
Walking through the district lets you see different architectural styles from the American National Bank Building to the DeMarcay Hotel at your own pace. The area is flat and easy to traverse on foot, making it suitable for a leisurely visit lasting a few hours.
The Roth Cigar Factory shows Sarasota's past as a place where tobacco products were made and shipped. This building reminds visitors that the area once thrived on manufacturing before becoming known for culture and the arts.
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