Phillippi Creek - Hidden Gem Offers Natural Beauty & Wealth Of Sarasota History

Bev Murray
Winding it's way from Little Sarasota Bay, Phillippi Creek meanders northeast across town much farther than you might expect, bringing old-Florida low-country waterfront from the Intracoastal Waterway all the way past Beneva Road. More than just a small waterway, Phillippi Creek is also steeped in Sarasota history. Prior to the 1820s when Florida became a United States territory, many Spanish-speaking fishermen from Cuba came to southwest Florida to fish the Gulf Coast waters, establishing seasonal fisheries from Charlotte harbor in the south to Tampa Bay in the north. In 1821 after becoming a US territory the federal government began a campaign to force the Seminole Indians who lived throughout south Florida, to relocate to Oklahoma creating a conflict between the native people and the US government. Many of the Spanish-speaking fisherman were caught in the middle. One such fisherman was Phillipp Bermudas. Originally from Spain, Bermudas as with other Spanish-speaking fisherman, had developed close ties with the Seminole natives at the heart of the struggle, yet required approval of the US authorities to be able to continue their trade. Phillipp Bermudas was important to the area's fledgling economy working in the fishing trade throughout the region including the Manatee River. As the conflict between Seminoles and the US escalated, Phillipp Bermudas who spoke the Seminole language worked as an interpreter for Capt. John Casey (the namesake of Casey Key), as Casey attempting to maintain a shaky peace during the late 1840s. In fact, Phillipp Bermudas interpreted at a meeting between Casey and Seminoles hosted at his Rancho home near what is now Cherokee Park. While Phillipp Bermudas had left by the time permanent settlers were making homesteads in Sarasota, Phillippi Creek was named after him and reminds us of Florida's tremulous past. Prior to the dredging projects that created the ICW and Siesta Key, Philippi Creek was sometimes used by shallow-draft boats during high tide to navigate through the mangroves to get to Siesta Key. While dredging began in the bay during the late 1800s the area as we know it, with open navigable channels and easy travel to Siesta Key did not fully take shape until the Intra-coastal waterway was completed the 1960s. Phillippi Creek Home For Sale Bev Murray
Home For Sale On Phillippi Creek - 4475 Shade Avenue Sarasota Florida 34231 Phillippi Creek itself has been reshaped several times, having been dredged, redirected and dammed as Sarasota developed around it. Despite being dramatically reshaped in places, Phillippi Creek remains one of the areas largest coastal streams originating east of 75 near Fruitville. Near the mouth of Phillippi Creek the waterway is home to saltwater and brackish water fish and the waterbirds that use the tidal wetlands as a food source. Mullet can be frequently seen jumping during the evening, and water levels can change dramatically depending on tide and seasons, however it remains navigable by shallow-draft boats as far inland as Tuttle Avenue. While the area around Phillippi Creek is developed, the creek maintains stands of Mangroves and other water-loving trees offering refuge to many types wildlife even in the heart of Sarasota.

Phillippi Estates Park

A little ways in from the mouth of the Creek, the is Phillippi Estates Park. A major landmark for the area, the land which it resides on was home to pre-Seminole native Americans for thousands of years who have left behind archeological treasures, in artifacts and shell middens. Originally purchased in the 1880s, development of Phillippi Estates Park began in 1911, and drew successful people from the Chicago area looking for warmer weather and sunshine. In 1916 a business man from Chicago named Edson Keith, would unknowingly define the architectural trends of the area for decades to come by building the very first Mediterranean Mansion in Sarasota. The impressive historical home was acquired by Sarasota County and now stands as a recognizable historical landmark. Upstream from Phillippi Estates, lies the River Forest neighborhood. Created in the 1950, parts of this older Sarasota subdivision are on a small peninsula of land between two coves the formed from bends in Phillippi Creek and have stood the test of time surviving the constant reshaping of the waterway. Phillippi Creek winds it's way directly through the heart of Sarasota, bringing a strip of waterfront and a natural respite to several more older min-town neighborhoods including, Forest Lakes, and South Gate.

Riverview High Controversy

Further north as Phillippi Creek passes under Proctor Road, it borders Riverview High School. Riverview High School was, for a long time a landmark in itself having been originally designed by famous Sarasota Modern Architect Paul Rudolf. Constructed in 1958 the building utilized many foundational elements of modern architecture, and was widely known in the international modern architecture community. However as Riverview aged, and the demands of providing a larger more up to date facility for students grew, the historical architectural landmark was razed to ground in a controversial decisions by the school board, and the original building only exists in photos.

Further Upstream - Further Back In Time

As Phillippi Creek continues north, deeper into town it also goes deeper into history. As the city development continued into the 20th century, many road and construction projects were under way. In 1916 during one such project surveyor William Tuttle, discovered Mastodon fossils from the Pleistocene-era over 11,000 years old. Others continued to find Mastodon fossils as construction projects continued.

A Brighter Future

Like many waterways in urban areas Phillippi Creek has spent it's time suffering from poor water management, and bad development practices. During the 60s and 70s the watershed area was developed without regard for sustainable water quality. Storm-water rather than gradually flowing into Phillippi Creek after passing through vegetated areas not rushed straight in through engineered drainage ditches and for a time carried polluted storm-water runoff with it. However as Floridians have come to treasure the natural beauty of our area and come to recognize the economic importance of having clean waterways things have improved dramatically. Now after years of restorative projects, and improved development standards, and clean water laws Phillippi Creek is once again a natural heaven. No better example of this is a small heavily forested preserve just south of Pinecraft Park, near Bahia Vista. The surprising preserve is home to old growth forest, with stands of mature elm and hickory trees. Bald Eagles and other impressive wildlife is not an uncommon sight here even in the middle of town.

For Homeowners Phillippi Creek Has A Little Something For Everyone

It's hard to find a better location to call home than the neighborhoods along Phillippi Creek. With navigable waters rich in wildlife, a central location, and historical significance, Phillippi Creek offers true old Florida charm in the heart of modern Sarasota. If you are looking for the perfect new home in Sarasota contact Bev Murray, a BHHS President's Circle agent with decades of experience in Sarasota's best neighborhoods.