New Gillespie Park historical marker honors Sarasota's first mayor

When a group of Scots arrived in Sarasota in 1885, they were met not with the platted town the sales pamphlets had promised, but instead a vast wilderness.

Although many colonists gradually left in discouragement, in 1886, the Florida Mortgage and Investment Company sent John Hamilton Gillespie, the son of the company's owner Sir John Gillespie, to complete the project.

Gillespie came to be known as the "father of Sarasota," serving as its first mayor, and in 1924, developer Owen Burns donated the land to create Gillespie Park in his honor.

Gillespie’s legacy, and the park, were honored with a new historical marker, which Sarasota County dedicated on March 7. 

Courtesy image

The Sarasota County Historical Commission recommended establishing the marker, and the Gillespie Park Neighborhood Association supported its creation.

“The dedication of this marker is an opportunity to honor John Hamilton Gillespie’s contributions to Sarasota and to celebrate the enduring spirit of the community he helped build,” said Dr. Renee Di Pilato, director of libraries and historical resources, in a media release.

Gillespie's contributions include establishing early infrastructure in Sarasota, introducing golf to Florida, helping to found Church of the Redeemer, and contributing to city landmarks including the DeSoto Hotel.