A Guide To Englewood Florida
Here you will find a compact, informative guide to our beloved Englewood:
- History of Englewood
- Location & Climate
- Demographics/ Statistics
- Arts & Culture
- Sports & Recreation
- The Englewood Lifestyle
A CONCISE HISTORY OF ENGLEWOOD
A Guide To Englewood Florida
The town of Englewood is more than 100 years old, although artifacts found at the Indian Mound Park date back as far as 400 B.C. It is believed that this area was inhabited centuries ago by the Calusa Indians.
Many, many years later, in 1884, Herbert Nicholas, of Englewood, Ill., and his two brothers came to the area in hopes of building a business growing lemons.
Although initially a success, severe freezes in the 1890s killed all the citrus trees in the area. That was the end of the Englewood lemon industry, and promoters of the area decided to change their tactics and to lure investors instead. They advertised Englewood as a great place to raise a family, retire, or enjoy the coastal life, warm winters, and excellent fishing and hunting.
In 1897, a directory of the Lemon Bay area noted a population of 86, which grew to 250 people before the turn of the century. Land was selling at $30 an acre.
The lumber industry was next to take root, providing jobs and a boost to the area economy. But this industry eventually faltered as well. By 1923, demand for railroad ties and turpentine and booming construction stripped the area of trees. As reforestation was not practiced in those days, once the trees were gone, so were the jobs and lumber industry.
Real estate promotion continued, with the laid-back sub-tropical lifestyle touted up north. Englewood grew slowly, with no more heavy industry to spur rapid growth. In 1927 a bridge was built across Lemon Bay, joining Manasota Key and the Gulf beaches with the mainland. This bridge has been rebuilt twice, once in 1950 and again in 1964. A part of the old wooden bridge is now the Bill Ainger fishing pier.
In 1948, a Venice phone book listed 46 telephone numbers for Englewood, with 22 being business phones and 24 for private use.
In 1958, there were 2,864 residents in Englewood. A new post office had to be built, increasing the total number of boxes from 400 to 1,000.
This story just provides a little background history of our town. More and more people are discovering this jewel on the Gulf, and present-day Englewood bears little resemblance to the sleepy little fishing village of yesteryear. Englewood continues to grow, along with the entire state of Florida. Many say that Florida will eventually become another California, real estate wise. Get your little slice of heaven now, while it is still affordable.
LOCATION & CLIMATE
A Guide To Englewood Florida
Located on beautiful Lemon Bay, off the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, Englewood is an unincorporated community encompassing 12.8 square miles. It is a short 85-mile trip from metropolitan Tampa Bay, and 50 miles north of Fort Myers. Englewood is easily accessible from U.S. Business 41 and Interstate 75. Englewood is situated in Sarasota county in the north, and Charlotte county in the southern portion.
Our southern location provides a warm, sub-tropical climate. Bright, sunny days are the norm with gentle easterly prevailing winds.
Average Jan high=72, Low=52; Average July high=91, Low=73
Annual precipitation=48"
DEMOGRAPHICS/ STATISTICS
A Guide To Englewood Florida
Population: 19,441. 65% increase since 1990
Racial makeup:
98.25% White;1.49% Hispanic; 0.19% African American, and 1.5% other races
The median income per household= $41,213
ARTS & CULTURE
A Guide To Englewood Florida
Music, theater and art all play a part in the cultural life of Englewood.
Englewood has a depth of culture rarely found in such a small community. The "arts" in Englewood is extraordinary, with painters, sculpters, writers, photographers, actors, and directors quietly practicing their crafts.
The Englewood Art Guild, the Englewood Writers Guild, the Lemon Bay Playhouse and ArtSpace Productions bring a flavor to Englewood that is hard to describe and must be experienced. The Englewood Art Center offers fine arts classes, workshops and gallery exhibits.
A short drive away will take you to the fascinating Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota or the Venice Art Center in Venice.
The Lemon Bay Performing Arts Center at Lemon Bay High School is renowned for major theatrical productions staged by young people. The drama students entertain residents and visitors of Englewood throughout the year.
Both the Lemon Bay Playhouse and ArtSpace Productions provide a full theatrical season, with productions of plays previously produced on Broadway and in other major theaters in the country. The popular Venice Little Theater offers musicals, comedies, drama and concerts throughout the year also.
Music lovers are not disappointed in the offerings provided in this area. The Florida West Coast Symphony, out of Sarasota, offers outstanding musical performances at the Lemon Bay Performing Arts Center at the local high school. The Suncoast Chorale offers Broadway tunes, holiday favorites, classics and more.
The Englewood Performing Arts Series often brings more varied music to town. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Center in nearby Sarasota also presents top-notch concerts, theater, dance and more.
SPORTS & RECREATION
A Guide To Englewood Florida
The Englewood/ Sarasota county area is famous for sport fishing. Every summer, thousands of visitors try their luck in Tarpon fishing tournaments at Boca Grande pass. And it's a golfer's paradise here, with over 30 courses in Englewood/ Sarasota County. Our tropical climate allows visitors and residents to play year round at golf, boating, fishing, kayaking, tennis or any number of other outdoor sports.
Englewood enjoys easy access to professional sports in Tampa: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football team, Tampa Bay Lightning hockey and The Devil Rays baseball team. Tampa also offers unique fun at Busch Gardens theme park, the world-class Lowry Park Zoo, the Florida Aquarium, and several other fascinating museums, including G-WIZ, MOSI and Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium.
Orlando is just a couple of hours away. Get a Florida resident yearly pass and experience Disney or Universal Studios often from your home base in Englewood.
THE ENGLEWOOD LIFESTYLE
"An easy-going lifestyle"
A Guide To Englewood Florida
Englewood, Fla., has been called the "Gem of the Suncoast," and remains a coastal community unspoiled by high rises and high prices. Although it is still relatively unknown and "hidden away", more and more Floridians and northern visitors are discovering it. And although statistics reflect a healthy growth, zoning and development planning have kept overbuilding and sprawling growth in check.
There's just something about this place which maintains an easy-going lifestyle set amid spectacular natural beauty, superb beaches and breathtaking sunsets.
While maintaining its small town atmosphere, Englewood also rises to the demands of growth, resulting in a clean and modern environment. Englewood is a beach community that thrives on its cultural events, nature parks, beaches, fishing, boating, and so much more.
New to the area? Not sure where to go for quality goods and services at the best prices? Check out our Best of Englewood Guide.
Click here to read all about one of our most beloved and valuable resources, our beaches.
A Guide To Englewood Florida
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