From Calusas to Condominiums: A Pictorial History of Longboat Key.

Quarto, softbound (slick, full-color photo. illustrated stiff sea foam green wrappers), [14] pp + 254 pp. Fine. From Introduction: The story of Longboat Key starts when it was just a tropical barrier island off the coast of Manatee County. The book ends in the year 2000. In the early years the island hosted Indian vacationers, was explored by Spanish soldiers seeking gold, hosted Cuban fishermen, and finally was settled by pioneer families wanting to enjoy the weather, grow tomatoes, guava and all manner of citrus fruits, all the while fishing and enjoying the Gulf. The good news spread, and soon Longboat Key became a seasonal hideaway for well-to-do northerners and home to a small band of hardy folk who could live without luxuries. Later, after technology brought air conditioning and an end to the pesky mosquitoes, it became a vacation paradise and a carefully planned residential community. Today Longboat Key is listed by Money magazine as having one of the four wealthiest ZIP coeds in the country. Despite the affluence, the casual island character remains. An effort has been made to include all the important events of the past 100 years or so that have made Longboat Key what it is today. It is hoped that the book stirs up some memories and contains sufficient facts and photos to entertain as well as to educate. It is also hoped that it will be as much fun to read as it was to write. Florida, Floridiana, Florida History, Americana, U.S.-iana, United States History, American History, Longboat Key uslic.…