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One of the most beautiful barrier islands located off the central western coast of Florida is none other than Longboat Key. Ideally situated, the island lies south of Tampa Bay, between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Longboat Key, Florida homes lie within Florida’s Manatee County or Sarasota County. The island is divided about equally between the two counties, with the whole island located within the boundaries of the Town of Longboat Key. The Town of Longboat Key is a Florida municipality that was incorporated in 1955.
History of Longboat Key
People who live in Longboat Key, Florida homes are undoubtedly familiar with the island’s rich history. The Calusa and Timucuan Indians resided in Longboat Key during the 1500s, at the time during which the Gulf of Mexico measured six feet lower than it is today. Under the Homestead Act of 1862, a number of resilient pioneers were awarded land grants and became the first to settle on the island.
Farming on Longboat Key Island was the biggest contributor to the area’s economy. Abundant crops on the island included tomatoes, guavas, avocados, and various citrus fruits. During the early 1900s, the steamboat Mistletoe was used to load crops and transport passengers.
The hurricane of 1921 flooded Longboat Key, thus putting an end to truck farming. During that same year, the state of Florida amended the Florida Constitution to include Longboat Key homes under Sarasota County, and the island was divided in half. Manatee County is to the north of the island, and Sarasota County is in the southern part.
The center of Longboat Key was once a target range for Army Air Force pilots who flew P-40s, B-26s and P-51s during World War II. By the 1950s, tourism in Longboat Key began to escalate, leading to the town’s rapid incorporation in 1955. The island’s population increased with the development of several Longboat Key, Florida homes. Today, there are approximately 1,500 single-family homes and more than 1,000 tourist accommodations on the island.
Living in Longboat Key
A big draw for home buyers who are considering Longboat Key, Florida homes for sale is the island’s proximity to the cities of Sarasota and Bradenton. Additionally, there are plenty of shopping and dining opportunities just to the north of the island, on Armanda Key Island. Dining is also a pleasure within Longboat Key, with fine restaurants such as The Dry Dock, The Longboat Key Club Restaurant, and the Colony.
Grocery shopping on the island is made possible thanks to the full-service supermarkets that include a Publix grocery store. There are also several pharmacies located in the island’s interior.
The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is conveniently located near to the island, making it easy for residents and visitors to travel throughout the country and abroad.
Longboat Key’s Gulf of Mexico Drive runs the length of the island, offering supplementary boulevards that branch off into residential neighborhoods featuring charming cul-de-sacs. The island of Longboat Key accommodates several homes, hotels, and even sports clubs.
The beautiful beaches of Longboat Key, all of which offer frontage on the Gulf of Mexico, provide additional reasons so many homeowners several seek to relocate into Longboat Key, Florida homes. A large percentage of Longboat Key residents are considered “snowbirds,” including those who vacation on or own second homes on Longboat Key, and live here only during the winter months. Naturally, there are a number of year-round residents who also occupy Longboat Key, Florida homes.
Longboat Key, Florida homes represent a diverse mix of dwellings consisting of single-family homes on half-acre parcels of lands and condominiums that feature pools, tennis courts, access to beaches, and more.
For more information about Longboat Key, Florida homes, please contact real estate experts Brian Meskil and Laura Benson of the Sarasota Homebuyers Guide. Brian can be reached at 941.780.3468 and Laura can be contacted at 941.780.4348.
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