Today, Southside Village is full of big modern homes, coffee shops, trendy bars and restaurants. What is even more interesting and respect-worthy, though, is the beginnings that made it all possible. It is those investors, developers, and pioneering residents during the Florida Land Boom of the 1920s we must appreciate. We are lucky to say that some of the beautiful, original architecture they left behind has withstood the test of time. If only walls could talk.

In remembrance, South Poinsettia Park Neighborhood Association (SPPNA), along with many generous neighbors, local business sponsors, volunteers, and the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation (SAHP), held a Centennial Celebration on March 3rd for all to enjoy.

The 4-hour event, open to the public, sold over 500 tickets. Of the nearly 30 homes celebrating 100 years, it featured 8. A mapped walking tour began at Datura Street and finished near Southside Elementary School. Sara-Mana Model A Ford Club parked several of their historic cars of the era along the streets. One took nearly 2 hours to drive from Bradenton at its 30mph capacity. Docents from the SAHP and participating homeowners held posts at each property, sharing commentary with historic facts, features of the properties, and cool stories.

Participating homeowner, John McGruder, shared his 1937 Datura Street home with quite an interesting story to tell. He purchased his property in 1999, after raising his family in Virginia. His grandfather, Frank Logan, built the home where McGruder’s mother and uncle were both raised. Logan’s prominent company, Logan and Currin, also built and developed many other houses in the original South Poinsettia Park Neighborhood and greater Sarasota region. McGruder added that his grandfather’s biggest claim to fame was inventing the canister to the gas mask, which unfortunately caused his death.   

The tour wrapped up with a neighborhood party at Southside Elementary School, which also turned 100 years old this year. Neighbors enjoyed mingling in the courtyard over iced tea, small bites, and 1920s music on the beautiful sunny day.

The SPPNA would like to express its overwhelming gratitude to its board and events committee, participating homeowners, volunteers, guests, and all the other wonderful people and businesses (including the SAHP) who donated their time, money, resources and efforts that make the event possible. It was truly a delight!