The plat of the subdivision named Washington Park. The plat was recorded in February 1925.
This subdivision was owned and developed by Owen Burns. Mr. Burns arrived in Sarasota in 1910. His businesses, real estate developments and his extraordinary service to the community forever changed Sarasota from a small fishing village into a city.
Roseburn, the home of Sarasota’s 1st mayor is gone but the area is teeming with unique bungalows, cottages and old apartment buildings from the 1920’s.
You can download and print a black and white copy to take on your stroll through this 9 city block district.
Towles Court Arts District is Laurel Park’s neighbor to the north. The districts are so similar you will have a hard time distinguishing one from the other by architecture or street design. Like Laurel Park, Towles Court is made up of several subdivisions platted almost 100 years ago. In more recent years the districts “re-invented” themselves choosing the new names, Laurel Park and Towles Court for definition.
The specific district designations and the allowed uses in each district are what make them unique. Towles Court was created to allow for a mix of residential, business and commercial uses for the benefit of artists and the arts. You can read more about the district’s history at – http://towlescourt.com/history.htm.
Towles Court is a vibrant, fun place to stroll through, to visit artist studios, galleries and to enjoy lunch or dinner. Indigenous , Lavanda, and Shoogie Boogies are special dining places in the district. Not to be missed is the third Friday Towles Court Art Walk held each month.
Laurel Park on the other hand, was first organized into a neighborhood through a desire to preserve the old building and residential fabric of downtown Sarasota. A new zone district was created just for Laurel Park called RSM-9. Years later the neighborhood was surveyed, mapped and nominated by the State of Florida for inclusion in the National Register. The prestigious award was given to the neighborhood in 2008 designating it a National Register of Historic Places District for its architecture and its contribution to the early development of the city. Laurel Park became the 7th National Register historic district in the City of Sarasota.
There are businesses and offices located within the district but the neighborhood’s district is primarily residential in nature. For more information on its history visit the “About” page on this website.
photo credit: Towlescourt.com
Laurel Park Historic District 