Bay Island

In 1906, spurred on by development prospects, West Virginia developer E.M. Arbogast paid a visit to Sarasota’s Siesta Key. With plans in place by Sarasota’s mayor Harry Higel to dredge the northeastern portion of the Key to form a separate island, Arbogast purchased a portion of this land, and in 1911 began building the Bay Island Hotel, which opened the following year in January, complete with 65 rooms over three stories, observation deck, a five-acre garden, 400-foot-deep artesian well, and private electric and gas plants. At the time of the hotel’s construction, Siesta Key remained unconnected to the mainland and could only be accessed by ferry, so Arbogast capitalized upon this and provided his own transportation service from Sarasota’s train station to the ferry. Soon after, a 35-foot-wide canal was carved through the Key, officially creating Bay Island. In 1917, the Higel Bridge (now known as the Siesta Key North Bridge) was opened, allowing direct access to and from the hotel, which remained in operation until the 1950s.

Today, a drive through Bay Island shows a blend of different eras all within one beautiful community. On the south side of the island, which faces Roberts Bay, the mature foliage and many quaint bungalows hearken back to an era of Old Florida living. Meanwhile, the north side features expansive manors in a variety of styles looking directly on Sarasota Bay with gorgeous panoramic views. At the far eastern point of the island sits the Nora Patterson Bay Island Park, an excellent spot for fishing named after one of Sarasota’s longtime residents and former mayor and County Commissioner. Surrounded by some of the area’s deepest waters, Bay Island is also perfect for anyone with a love of boating. With its location connecting Sarasota and its rich culture to one of the nation’s top-rated beaches, Bay Island truly lives up to its moniker: ‘The Gateway to Siesta Key.’