Moments in Time

JULY 17, 2003: Sarasota County commissioners applied historic designations to the Siesta Key Beach and Nokomis Beach pavilions because they represent public buildings constructed as part of Sarasota’s post-World War II building boom. Commissioners also said the structures represent examples of the Sarasota School of Architecture’s modern design movement.

JULY 17, 1986: Residents got a look at what John Edscorn and Bill Partington called “real Florida,” on one of their guided Wanderlust Tours of the area. The Florida Conservation Foundation sponsored Edscorn and Partington to host periodic tours of lesser-known, backwoods Florida landmarks in what they called their “magic bus.”

Edscorn, nicknamed the “wizard of the back roads,” was an environmental tour guide, wildlife expert, nature writer and outdoorsman, and he served as the bus driver and tour guide. Partington was a conservationist and research newsletter writer who teamed up with Edscorn to host the tours, which lasted anywhere between two days to two weeks.

The Wanderlust Tours offered participants a rare look at environmental, historical and culturally significant sites for about $50 per person.

Contact Nick Friedman at [email protected].