Behind the Name of Whitney Beach

From housing military members during World War II to becoming one of the first condominium complexes on the island, Whitney Beach has always been a staple on the Key. 

It started when Gordon and Lora Whitney came to the north end of Longbeach, today’s Longboat Key, in 1935. According to LongboatKeyHistory.com, the former insurance agent from Chicago, Gordon, with his wife, hoped to purchase beachfront property due to how inexpensive it was during the Great Depression. 

After being impressed with Longbeach’s white sands and promise for good fishing spots, the couple built the infamous cypress cottages that still stand in the Longboat Village, along with a guest house, tennis court, skeet range, family home and 1,000 feet of beachfront property around 6750 Gulf of Mexico Drive. To finish off their settlement, they named their new land Whitney Beach Resort to welcome tourists to what would become the popular fishing resort of the Key during the time. 

While establishing his fishing resort, Gordon also helped bring telephone service and the vibrant plant environment to the Manatee County end of Longboat Key.

During World War II, the Whitneys turned the place into a resting spot for military members. Once the war finished, Whitney Beach went back to hosting tourists and fishermen until Gordon closed the resort in 1957.

After leaving the property vacant until 1968, Gordon sold the property to Paul Neal Jr, who turned Whitney Beach into one of the first condominium complexes on the island. He developed the land with 139 units, which was finished in 1971. 

Now, the Whitney Beach Condominium Association has grown to have multiple tennis courts, picnic tables, a tiki hut, three swimming pools, boat docks and a boat house for residents to clean their fish. 

Today, all except for one of Whitney’s 11 cottages remain on the north end of Longboat housing the new and longtime families of the Key. Whitney Beach Plaza is known for its unique businesses and community bonding events. 

The Longboat Key Historical Society is also housed in two of these historic cottages. Through this, Whitney Beach is the core of the historical standing of the island while watching it bloom in the present.