Today’s Sarasota Yacht Club is one of the bright spots on Florida’s Gulf Coast, an iconic symbol of modern Sarasota. Uniquely designed and richly appointed, the clubhouse offers everything a yacht owner and family could wish for. The adjoining marina accommodates and services vessels of all size.

The current club extends back to 1926, and two yacht clubs preceded it. One was on Siesta Key, with Harry Higel as the Commodore.

Murder on Siesta Key: Harry Higel’s brutal killing remains unsolved to this day 

The other, on Gulf Stream Avenue, was known as the Sarasota Yacht and Automobile Club. Founded in 1912, it became the social hub of the small town, noted as a sign certain of Sarasota’s growth potential. Both clubs were short-lived.

As the paper described the setting for the Yacht and Automobile Club, “Its location on Cedar Point … in a spot made charming by nature, with its evergreen growth of trees and shrubs, the surrounding bay and cool Gulf breezes, with a view for miles that is unsurpassed.”

More Sarasota History

Sarasota’s first major developer, Owen Burns, who was also Chairman of the Board of Trade, was chosen Commodore. Popular physician and civic leader Dr. Joe Halton served as Vice Commodore.

On Nov. 7, 1912, The Sarasota Times announced that the clubhouse was finished. It was constructed by H.B. Westbrook for a reported $4,000. Designed by Alex Browning, who had arrived as a youngster with the Scot Colony in 1885, the club was “modern in design…